Ergonomics in Automotive Glass Manufacturing: Workers’ Perceptions of Strain

Abstract

Automotive glass manufacturing entails a range of activities and requires, inter alia, bending and twisting, working in static positions, reaching away from the body, repetitive movements, handling heavy materials, use of body force, and exposure to noise. The study entailed the conducting of interviews with operatives at an automotive glass facility using a structured questionnaire. Selected findings include: bending or twisting the back, repetitive movements, and handling heavy materials predominated in terms of ergonomics problems encountered; things within easy reach, adjustable work surfaces, being able to sit down, elbow height work, and mechanical assistance, predominated in terms of the interventions that would make work easier, and the lower back, and both feet predominated in terms of the frequency at which pain occurs in an anatomical region as a result of use. Training of workers in positional work and working with load, investigating the ability to sit while working and worker participation in ergonomic solutions are selected recommendations.