The ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal and skeletal disorders in employees working at a plastic automotive parts manufacturing plant

Abstract

     This research was survey research aimed at evaluating the ergonomic risk levels related to working postures that may lead to musculoskeletal and skeletal disorders among employees at a plastic automotive parts manufacturing plant. The study involved a sample of 55 employees, with data collected using a questionnaire on musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk assessment tools, specifically the RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) for upper limbs and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) for lower limbs.
     The study found that all employees were female, with an average age of 35.13 years and 63.64% having completed secondary education or equivalent. The RULA assessment results indicated that employees in the floating ball department had a final score of 3, placing them in risk level 2, which suggests the need for further study and continuous monitoring, accounting for 30.77%. The REBA assessment revealed that employees in the injection molding department had a final score of 12, indicating a risk level of 5, which is very high and requires immediate improvement, representing 36.67%. Additionally, employees in the packaging department mostly had a final score of 10, indicating a risk level of 4, which is high and necessitates further analysis and prompt improvement, accounting for 66.67%.