Design of a workstation and its evaluation under the influence of noise and illumination for an assembly task.

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.

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