Evaluating ergonomic health risks to car service employees

Abstract

Occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal system in car service employees are among the most wide spread ones as for the labour grade. The diseases reduce productivity, and decrease life quality. Thus, search for ways to provide occupational safety and comfort as well as to substantiate decisions concerning the improved ergonomics of operational procedures is the topical problem.

Aim of the research is to evaluate ergonomic health risks to car service employees in the process of their production activities intended to repair and maintain cars, and to substantiate ways of their decrease.

Apply "REBA" (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) worksheet to evaluate risks of occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The research has helped determine that rim servicing personnel is the category of employees who are the most exposed to the musculoskeletal system diseases. The matter is that intensive muscular works in the context of inconvenient body positioning are typical for the operation. It has been identified that untightening/tightening the screws and wheel mounting/dismounting are the most risky procedures being first connected with a significant physical effort-inconvenient body positioning combination. In this context, potential injury of the musculoskeletal system is almost 99%. The current equipment to improve labour safety has been characterized in terms of ergonomic criterion i.e., reducing the physical load on employees. It has been identified that the equipment use will improve the safety level by 60%.

The results of the research, carried out in terms of ergonomic risk evaluation, have demonstrated that the value can identify the most hazardous activity types, and substantiate the expediency to improve operational procedures (among other things, it concerns car tyre fitting)  while increasing the number of mechanical equipment to facilitate a car mechanic activities.