Ergonomically designed workstation based on simulation of worker's movements

An ergonomics approach to the design of an industrial workstation attempts to achieve an appropriate balance between worker’s capabilities and work requirements to optimize workers’ productivity and the total system, as well as provide workers’ physical and mental well-being, job satisfaction and safety. Over the years many theories, principles, methods and data relevant to the workstation design have been generated through research in ergonomics. Much of this knowledge is integrated in the software computer package ERGOPlan. The paper presents an optimal ergonomically and economically designed workstation of a cutter which was built with the use of two ERGO modules, ERGOMas (workstation design) and ERGOMan (simulation of workers’ movements). To incorporate economic aspect of the workstation design, we parametrically described the key dimensions of the workstation. This action enabled optimal workstation design with consideration of both aspects.