Affiliations: Ergonomics Research Division, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P., India
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Abid Ali Khan, Ergonomics Research
Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh 202002, U.P., India. E-mail: abida.khan@amu.ac.in
Abstract: Objective: An experimental research was conducted to design a
workstation for a lock manufacturing assembly. Participants: Two
experiments were conducted in the present study. Nine male subjects in the age
range of 18–35 years participated in the first experiment. For the second
experiment, nine subjects in each of the three age groups (viz. 17–22, 23–28
and 29–35 years) volunteered for experimental investigations. Method: The designed workstation was evaluated under varying levels of noise and
illumination for workers of different age groups. Three different workstations
were evaluated. The task was performed by a worker in two different sitting
positions and three settings of arms position. Results: It was found that
workstation type, backrest support and arms positions were all having a
statistically significant effect on task performance. Workstation with work
surface to seat height ratio of 1.82 was found to be better when the task was
performed using backrest and arms were supported on the work surface. This
workstation was evaluated for three different age groups of workers under
different levels of noise and illumination. The results of the study showed
that age of the worker, illumination level and level of noise were all
contributing significantly towards task performance. Conclusions: The design of a workstation for assembly task would help greatly in creating a
better working environment and enhancing the productivity of workers exposed to
environmental stressors like noise and illumination.
Keywords: Productivity, sitting posture, lock assembling task, work surface to seat height ratio
