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- Chavalitsakulchai, Pranee, et al.
(author)
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A model of ergonomics intervention in industry : case study in Japan
- 1994
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In: Journal of Human Ergology. - 0300-8134. ; 23:1, s. 7-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents the results of an ergonomics survey in four different Japanese work places. The survey consisted of two parts. In the first part, the physical and psycho-social problems of the female workers were investigated. Questionnaire techniques were used to assess musculoskeletal disorders in various parts of the body and of psycho-social stress at work as well as in the daily life situation. Furthermore, work posture analysis, task analysis, simple clinical tests and flexibility tests were conducted. In the second part, the ergonomics intervention practices in different types of Japanese work places were examined. Three different questionnaires were developed and used to collect information from representatives of employees, management and responsible governmental agents of the Department of Industrial Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, with regard to ergonomic interventions at work places. Management, employees, and government representatives expressed desire for cooperation and participation for arrangement of the ergonomics intervention program. A model for appropriate ergonomics intervention in industry is developed with regard to physical and psycho-social problems at work. Factors influencing worker participation and the establishment of a dynamic system of ergonomics intervention at work places are discussed. Practical ways for improving the working conditions of female workers are: (i) cooperation between managers, workers, and government officers is regarded as vital for the ergonomics intervention program, (ii) worker participation, (iii) appropriate training course with regard to ergonomics education, and (iv) managerial support
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- Chavalitsakulchai, Pranee
(author)
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Ergonomics for the improvement of health and safety of female workers in industrially developing countries
- 1992
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The thesis presents the results of an ergonomics survey which contains eleven studies in five different industries of Thailand and four different industries of Japan (Papers A to K). The aims of the studies were; (i) to identify priority problems of female workers in different industries from ergonomic points of view; (ii) to analyze and investigate these problems; (iii) to examine the ergonomics intervention practices at work places; and iv) to develop a practical method for appropriate ergonomics interventions at work for improving health and safety of female workers, particularly in industrially developing countries. The survey consisted of four parts; (i) general information about ergonomics problems with regard to working conditions and environments of female workers which were obtained through preliminary research studies; (ii) preliminary survey of ergonomics problems regarding health and safety of female workers in different industries in Thailand; (iii) selection of two different industries of Thailand to carry out more detailed studies of physical and psycho-social problems, particularly related to musculoskeletal disorders; and (iv) examination of the ergonomics intervention practices at work places by case-study in Japan and Thailand. Methods used in these studies were; (i) ergonomics checklist; (ii) working environmental measurements; (iii) questionnaire study for subjective feeling of fatigue; (iv) grip strength and back and leg strength tests; (v) hearing test; (vi) questionnaire study for the assessment of musculoskeletal disorders in various parts of the body; (vii) psycho-social questionnaire study for analysis of stress at work as well as in daily life situation; (viii) anthropometric measurements of the standing and sitting positions; (ix) work posture analysis, using OWAS method; (x) job analysis, using AET method; (xi) simple clinical and physical fitness tests for checking musculoskeletal disorders; and (xii) using three different questionnaires, i.e., interviewing management, employees and governmental officers for examining ergonomics intervention practices at work places. The results showed that the female workers in different industries of the two countries had experienced musculo-skeletal discomforts in various parts of their body and work stress. The reasons for the high prevalence of such problems seem to be multifactorial and complicated. For instance, the female workers have prolonged standing or sitting postures during work, operating machines which are not appropriately designed, and doing heavy manual material handling. They adopt awkward work postures which usually lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The association between work postures and symptoms problems is a factor of exposure time. It becomes obvious that ergonomics problems related to occupational health and safety of the female workers in this survey seem to have cause-effect responses which could be classified into three main categories; (i) poor working practices and workplace programmes without sufficient knowledge of ergonomics principles; (ii) lack of adjustment to local population of imported machinery and equipment and their use; and (iii) lack of appropriate work organization. The tri-partites (management, employees and governmental officers) of the two countries had the same opinion about the importance of the ergonomics intervention programme. They desired co-operation and more participation approach to achieve better success in their intervention programmes. However, they had some shortcomings in their intervention programmes; such as lack of co-operation among industrial staff, lack of budget and human resources, differences in attitudes or awareness between the management and the employees with regard to occupational health and safety, lack of managerial support, lack of technical knowledge and unclarity of government policy. Based on the results, a practical method of ergonomics intervention at work is developed for improvement of working conditions of female workers which combines the following two characteristics: (a) participatory ergonomics training in order to develop awareness and understanding of practical ergonomics principles, and (b) industry-level promotional activities to facilitate voluntary participation and co-operation between managers, workers and government officers. In addition, further research activity is continuously needed for ergonomics implementation, particularly in the industrially developing countries.
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- Chavalitsakulchai, Pranee, et al.
(author)
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Ergonomics method for prevention of the musculoskeletal discomforts among female industrial workers: physical characteristics and work factors
- 1993
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In: Journal of Human Ergology. - 0300-8134. ; 22:2, s. 95-113
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In industrial work, working postures play an important role, separately and combined with other strain factors. The combined effects may be worse than those of single factors. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the body size, work postures and musculoskeletal discomforts between a group of female workers in a pharmaceutical plant and another group in a textile plant. Two hundred workers have participated in the following studies; (i) measuring anthropometric data in the standing and sitting positions, (ii) using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), and (iii) using the detail Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for analyzing the musculoskeletal troubles in different parts of the body. The investigation has identified five main factors associated with the musculoskeletal discomforts: (i) lack of worker selection and lack of appropriate training to prevent occupational hazards or work-related diseases, (ii) poor ergonomic design of the work place and task including work organization, (iii) poor working postures, (iv) lack of task variation, and (v) insufficient rest breaks. These could be improved by introducing ergonomic interventions for both adjusting the individual work places and the task performed. It is necessary to consider preventive measures for musculoskeletal disorders, especially for female workers in industrially developing countries. Ergonomic aspects of the preventive measures should include: (a) consideration of appropriate worker selection for various works with sufficient training and instruction, (b) ergonomic redesign of work places, and (c) ergonomic considerations in work organization.
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- Chavalitsakulchai, Pranee, et al.
(author)
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Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Feeling of Fatigue Among Female Professional Workers : The Need for Ergonomics Consideration
- 1991
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In: Journal of Human Ergology. - 0300-8134. ; 20:2, s. 257-264
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Subjective feeling of general fatigue and physiological strain were studied in one hundred female professional employees of industrial worker and full-time nurses. Using an interview questionnaire the feeling of fatigue were studied. The subjects were asked to indicate on the body diagram all the areas of musculoskeletal pain from which they perceived discomfort. Furthermore physical strength test consisting of grip test, back and leg strength test were carried out before and after work on all subjects. The results indicated that the two groups of employees showed different symptoms of "pain" and/or "fatigue," with regard to the different parts of body. It was also noted that the physical strength after work was lower for both groups as compared to before work and even lower for the industrial workers than the nurses. The feeling of fatigue between the two investigated groups was not significantly different, but for the musculoskeletal pain was highly significantly different. The worker group used also more pain-killing drugs for releasing the muscle pain. It was evident that ergonomics intervention for female professional workers was of great importance and urgency, particularly for making the workplace more human. Improvement of the working conditions, better organization of work, and ergonomics interventions are suggested as necessary measures for reduction of pain and feeling of discomfort
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- Chavalitsakulchai, Pranee, et al.
(author)
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Musculoskeletal disorders of female workers and ergonomics problems in five different industries of a developing country
- 1993
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In: Journal of Human Ergology. - 0300-8134. ; 22:1, s. 29-43
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An ergonomics survey was carried out using interviews based on Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for evaluating musculoskeletal disorders of 1,000 female workers in five different industries in Thailand, viz. garment, fertilizer, pharmaceutical, textile, and cigarette. A checklist used in an ILO study for examining ergonomics problems was used for identifying ergonomics problems. The results show that about 50% of the female workers experienced a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in their lower backs, particularly the textile workers. The musculoskeletal symptoms of each body region were significant in each industry during the last year and the preceding 7 days (p < 0.05). Other ergonomics problems in the survey industries included heavy manual handling, prolonged sitting and standing, awkward work postures, poor machine design and operation, high repetitive and monotonous movements, poor work organization, and unsatisfactory working environments. Based on the results of this survey, it became obvious that ergonomics problems related to occupational health and safety of female workers seem to fall into three categories: (i) poor working practices and workplace programmes without sufficient knowledge of ergonomics principles, (ii) lack of adjustment to local population of imported machinery and equipment and their use, and (iii) lack of appropriate work organization. The findings demonstrate the need and the importance for ergonomics intervention in industrially developing country using low-cost improvements and appropriate training methods. It also indicates that research in ergonomics applications is needed, considering the specific characteristics of the industrially developing country.
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