Ergonomic risks

Ergonomic evaluation methods are very important because they allow us to identify and
assess the risk factors present in the workplace and based on the results obtained plan
an improvement. To evaluate the ergonomic risks to which the workers of the "El Gaby
Automatic Transmission Workshop" are exposed, we mainly use two methods of
ergonomic evaluation, one of them is the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) and
the other is the RULA method ( Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), since these allow us to
evaluate the worker's posture easily, quickly and completely. The REBA method
evaluates the whole body in a general way and the RULA method evaluates the whole
body, but focuses more on the upper part of the body. 5 workers were evaluated doing
their respective tasks, all came out with different risk factors, depending on the number
of the factor should be taken necessary measures to avoid health problems in the
workers. Below are the photos of the positions that were evaluated with the results in
each of the ergonomic evaluation methods.

Theoretical basis for the use of ergonomic evaluation methods:

• RULA: For the evaluation of the risk the method is considered the position
adopted, the duration and frequency of this and the forces exerted when it is
maintained. Divides the body into two groups, Group A that includes the upper
limbs (arms, forearms and wrists) and Group B, which includes the legs, trunk
and neck. Using the tables associated with the method, a score is assigned to
each body area (legs, wrists, arms, trunk ...) for, depending on these scores,
assign global values to each of groups A and B.

• REBA: It is a method based on the RULA method, differing fundamentally in the

inclusion in the evaluation of the lower extremities. It is a method of postural
analysis that is especially sensitive to tasks that involve unexpected changes in
posture, as a consequence of the manipulation of unstable or unpredictable
loads.
Identification of the most critical activities of the process

In total we find 3 activities in which we consider that there is some kind of risk for the
people who perform them, either by the uncomfortable postures, loads or number of
repetitions with which they perform the task. Next, we will show the description and
ergonomic evaluation carried out with the aforementioned methods to see if in truth the
activity that is developed is risky for the worker.

Activity 1: Inspection and verification of the initial state of the vehicle.

In this first activity, the mechanic reviews the state in which the car is located. Due to the
above, you have to open the trunk of the car and introduce half of the trunk of the body
to be able to carry out the inspection tasks. It was decided to evaluate this activity
because when working with the inclined trunk and occasionally in the area of the hood
of the vehicle, it is common to adopt inappropriate postures of the upper extremities,
having to carry out precise operations in the area of the engine without having space for
the hands.

Photographic evidence
Observation

After ergonomically evaluating the operator performing his activity, we find through the
RULA and REBA method that it is necessary to make changes in the work area, since
the worker is exposed to risk conditions derived from poor posture. As can be seen in
the photograph, the operator has to flex the trunk of the body approximately 50.59 °,
which can produce problems in the neck and / or low back pain in the future. It is
necessary to adapt the work area to the operator, since he is adopting uncomfortable
postures or a lot of load for the body.

Qualification obtained in the ergonomic evaluation methods

• RULA = 7. Having obtained this qualification, the method recommends studying

and immediately modifying the work area.
• REBA = 7. Having obtained this rating, the method recommends making a
change because it is necessary.
Ergonomic evaluation by means of the RULA method to the Inspection and verification of the initial state of the vehicle
Ergonomic evaluation by means of the REBA method to the Inspection and verification of the initial state of the vehicle
Activity 2: Disassemble automatic transmission of the car.

The present activity consists of disassembling the automatic transmission of the car, for
that, the mechanic has to go down to the pit to begin with the dismantling of the
transmission. Being below the car, the mechanic performs activities that are purely
torque, that is, he has to loosen at least 25 nuts which hold the transmission and fix it to
the car. Like the previous task, it was decided to evaluate it because in the development
of this activity some ergonomic principles are violated, standing out among them:

• No task should require workers to adopt forced postures, such as having arms
outstretched all the time.

• Avoid placing objects or controls that are used often over the shoulders.

• You should reduce your work standing in the least possible.

Photographic evidence
Observation

With the help of the ergonomic evaluation carried out, it was detected that in the
development of the present task there are intrinsic ergonomic risks that in the future can
cause health problems for the worker. Firstly, it was validated that the realization of
loosening the nuts that is carried out above the shoulders is truly risky, in addition, the
task requires the worker wrist turns repeatedly. The above can trigger musculoskeletal
conditions or diseases. Highlighting among them:

• Cumulative trauma to the wrist (tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, etc).

• Epicondylitis

• Radial tunnel syndrome

• Rotator cuff tendonitis

• Cervical tension syndrome.

Qualification obtained in the ergonomic evaluation methods.

• RULA = 7. Having obtained this qualification, the method recommends studying

and immediately modifying the work area.

• REBA = 4. Having obtained this rating, the method recommends making a

change because it is necessary because of the risk levels to which the worker is
exposed
Ergonomic evaluation using the RULA method for the transmission disassembly task
Ergonomic evaluation using the REBA method for the transmission disassembly task
Activity 3. Disarming of automatic transmission.

A fundamental part of the repair process of an automatic transmission is the disassembly

of the same, since, according to the person in charge of the workshop, 85% of the faults
of a transmission originates in some internal component of it, or because the bands they
broke, or because the servos are in constant friction with each other. To identify the
cause of the problem, the operator has to disarm the automatic transmission completely.
This part of the process is carried out over an average of 3 and a half hours, at the same
time that the worker is required to stand, be hunched and do repetitive work in
inappropriate positions. Given the above, we evaluate this activity by means of the two
ergonomic methods mentioned above, with the objective of validating the level of risk
incurred when developing this activity.

Photographic evidence
Observation of activity 3

After carrying out the ergonomic evaluation of the worker while performing the task of
disarming the automatic transmission, it was concluded that it is necessary to implement
changes both in the method of work and in the area, since the worker remains standing
much time and has not where to lean. On the other hand, the task in general is risky for
the worker, since in order to perform it, it is necessary for the worker to adopt
inappropriate postures, such as flexing the neck 72.31 °. Both methods dictate that it is
necessary to start generating measures to change the way things are being done, since
the activity presents a high ergonomic risk for the worker, so if you want to avoid:

• Cervical tension syndrome

• Rotator cuff tendonitis

• Frozen shoulder

• Torticollis

• Other musculoskeletal disorders that originate in various limbs.

Qualification obtained in the ergonomic evaluation methods.

• RULA = 6. Having obtained this qualification, the method recommends studying

and immediately modifying the work area.

• REBA = 5. Having obtained this rating, the method recommends making a

change because it is necessary because of the risk levels to which the worker is
exposed.
Ergonomic evaluation by means of the RULA method to the task of disassembly of transmission
Ergonomic evaluation by means of the REBA method to the task of disassembly of transmission