The Importance of Ergonomics in Improving the Quality and Productivity Indicators of a Work Process in the Automotive Industry

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly prevalent in our societies. Approximately 1710 million people have musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. The costs caused by this problem are enormous for companies and representing a very serious issue. The objectives of this work were the ergonomic analysis of some of the operations with the aim of defining a model to improve working conditions and indirectly improve productivity and quality rates. The diagnostic tools used were the EWA Method, Corlett diagram, and simple observational methods to respond through ergonomics to the problems detected. The operations analysed were sewing, heat application and rings assembly. The ergonomic methods applied were RULA, KIM-MHO, and RSI, having shown that all operations presented WMSD risk. After the obtained results analysis, improvements were made, namely; changing the type of lighting, carrying out the operation at an adjustable station with compressed air, fixing the dryer, implementing an axle for rings assembly. After making the changes, their effectiveness was evaluated, repeating the use of the techniques and methods used in the diagnostic phase, having found that the measures were effective and therefore the proposed objectives achieved.