Ergonomics of design - Problems in making the project a reality

Abstract

Introduction: The analysis based on ergonomics, used in this study, seeks not only to adjust questions related to risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders, but also to redefine a productive process that may be altered. Studies based on activities carried out in the boiler operation are not many, and the studies are based more on the production and mechanisms of the same, relating productivity and decrease in the levels of pollution. Thus, this study will address several points of the boiler operator’s activity, in order to solve the proposed demand (skeletal muscle issue and productivity). Methods: An ergonomic analysis was performed divided in three phases. The first phase (generalist) was a collection of data about the company, the specific function and the sector that makes up the function (general organization, tasks and production). In the second phase, a pre-diagnosis of the analyzed function was presented. Finally, ergonomic evaluation methods (interview, real analysis, application of ergonomic tool) were applied to confront the initial demand. After this, in the third phase, a final diagnosis and recommendations were made to adapt the current situation of the activities. Results: The company evaluated has around 370 employees, including the production, recycling and reuse of paper sector. The evaluated sector (Boiler) has six active employees, in three shifts (two employees per shift). The development of the work focused on the boiler operator was informed about the issues involving the boiler-to-gas exchange by the steam boiler. Being the consumption of the new boiler, much bigger than the previous one. Through the data passed by the company, there was a possible pre-diagnosis focused on cognitive and musculoskeletal issues (demand from employee reports about function). Numerous operative modes were observed during the performance of the function and this is due to a technical error of the boiler mat, which causes the worker to have to organize the wood logs inside the boiler box after they have left the conveyor). The boiler project, even if tested and simulated, when it became real presented variables that went unnoticed in the project’s idealization. Causing physical overload during the activities.