Integrating human factors into discrete event simulations of parallel flow strategies.

• This article demonstrates an approach to integrating human factors (HF) into a discrete event simulation (DES)study of semi-parallelised production strategies. Operationalised HF included operators’ autonomy at work,a known workplace health factor; and reduced operator capability, a factor for new or injured operators. TheseHF were tested in scenarios of serial flow and two degrees of semi-parallelised flow. The parallel productionsystems demonstrated better productivity than serial flow in all conditions tested and were less affected by eitherof the HF tested. It is concluded that HF can be integrated into DES which facilitates early considerationof operator risk and system vulnerabilities. Parallel production approaches, although less common in practice,appear to have advantages over serial flow in terms of productivity, injury risk and the accommodationof operators with temporarily reduced capacity. Further research should expand the range and test the validity ofHF integrated into DES modelling procedures.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

risk and

ergonomics

discrete event simulation

human factors

production system design

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)