A Case Study: Ergonomics Phenomenon at Modern Markets

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1 A Case Study: Ergonomics Phenomenon at Modern Markets Nasir Widha Setyanto Wifqi Azlia Ratih Ardia Sari Abstract - Humans are trying to adapt according to the circumstances and environmental conditions. This is shown by the changes in the design of the equipment used. Therefore, developing scientific disciplines related to design tools and working facilities that take into account the human aspects as the users, known as the Ergonomics is needed. Factors that affect a job are a constituent component of the work system. In the design of work systems, people should pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of themselves in both physical and psychological aspects. Advantages and disadvantages of humans can be tailored to the components of a working system in the form of work and workplace facilities. An adjustment to the physical components of a working system that uses the human component is expected to help the working man, so the system will run optimally. Technology equipment is adapted to the posture of the workers. By working ergonomically, workers can gain a sense of comfort in working, cannot get tired easily and can work more productively. The aims of this study are to identify the ergonomic and non ergonomic activities at modern markets; and provide some improvements to non ergonomic activities. This study is expected to improve the work system design at modern market, so the work system design can increase the productivity of the users at the modern markets. Keywords - Ergonomics, Manual Material Handling, Quality of Work, Work Environment I. INTRODUCTION In the workplace, there are various factors that can affect the course of a job. Such factors need to be considered because if we do not pay attention, that factors can lead to many losses. On the other hand, if those factors are well regulated, they can provide benefits to the company. One of the factors that affect a job is a constituent component of the working system. In the working system, the human s central roles are as a designer, a controllers, and an evaluators of the working system. Therefore, when we design the working system that involve humans, we must consider the advantages and limitations of the man himself, in both physical and psychological aspects. Advantages and disadvantages in terms of physical aspect of human beings should be tailored to the 9.1

2 Nasir Widha Setyanto, Wifqi Azlia, and Ratih Ardia Sari components of a working system, such as work and workplace facilities. Each facility or working place used by humans must be able to make the users feel effective, safe, healthy, convenient and efficient. This must be adapted to the physical condition of the man. Adjustments to the physical components of the man who uses these components will greatly assist the work of the man, so the system will run optimally. So, to be able to produce a good working system, design required a science which anthropometric measurements. In Manual Materials Handling, working attitude or posture of the work plays an important role. By having the correct working posture, the operators / employees will need little rest, so they can work faster and more efficient in work. Moreover, working posture will lead to various errors of health problems that can be fatal in the long term. The high level of injury or accident, in addition to direct harm to workers (in this case is the pain suffered by the workers) can also be a devastating effect on the company, namely the decrease in productivity, either through the burden of high medical costs and worker absenteeism and a decrease in the quality of work. In presenting the usable information to humans, it takes a liaison between man and machine in conveying the information that is often known as display. Then, the equipment (controller) is used to convert the human output into the machine input. Humans as the most perfect beings are certainly not immune from drawbacks. In their work, many factors that affect their ability and performance. In general, the factors are divided into two, namely internal and external factors. External factors are generally related to working conditions which include lighting, noise, temperature, air humidity, air circulation, mechanical vibrations, odors, colors, and others. These factors will indirectly and significantly influence the work of men. In a company, conducting recruitment of workers will be tailored to the specifications of work that have been made. The work specification is based on working conditions and abilities that should be owned by workers. The work specification is used so that the workers are able to adapt with the working conditions and can deliver value to the company so they can increase the productivity of the company without making a mistake at work due to physical working conditions or commonly referred to Human Errors. Health and safety become a necessity. Good companies, definitely will pay attention to these factors and they will create a procedure to minimize the risks. Technology equipment is adapted to the posture of the worker. By working ergonomically, the workers can gain a sense of comfort in working, cannot get tired easily and can work more productively. The aims of this study are to identify ergonomic and non ergonomic activities at modern markets; and provide some improvements to non ergonomic activities. From this study, we can improve work system design at modern markets, so work system design can increase the productivity of the users at the modern markets. II. LITERATURE REVIEW According to Sutalaksana [1], ergonomics is a branch of systematic science which utilizes information about the properties, capabilities and limitations of humans to design a working system so that people can live and work on it with a good system, to achieve the desired goal through the job with an effective, safe, and comfortable condition. Ergonomics is also concerned with the optimization, efficiency, health, safety and human comfort in the workplace, at home, and in the recreation place. Ergonomics is also called Human Factors. A. Biomechanics Biomechanics studies about strength, endurance, speed, accuracy, and the limitations of humans in doing their work. Biomechanics are related to the material handling work, such as the appointment and 9.2

3 A Case Study: Ergonomics Phenomenon at Modern Market removal by hand, or other works in which there is the dominant use of the body muscles. Although technological advances have helped a lot of human activity, but still there are some manual works that cannot be eliminated due to the consideration of cost or convenience. These job requires moderate to large physical efforts in certain duration of working time, such as material handling or manual transfer. These efforts lead to many accidents or low back pain, all of which become major issues in industrialized countries. s of the biomechanics research are related to the process of equipment design such as the creation of mobility aids that can be used to relieve the disabled and other work equipment. The excessive use of muscle power to use or move the equipment can result in injury. The application of biomechanics can avoid the risk, and strive for a minimum expenditure of energy but still can achieve optimal results of productivity. Biomechanics can be used on human body when the body is either in a static state or in a dynamic state. B. Manual Material Handling Manual material handling means the transfer of material without using tools or machine. According to American Material Handling Society, the material handling is declared as art and science that include handling, moving, packing, storing and controlling of the material in all forms [2]. C. Anthropometric Anthropometry is a part of the ergonomics science related to the dimensions of the human body which includes the shape, size and strength and its application to design facilities for human activities. Anthropometric data are indispensable for designing equipment and work environment. Convenience of using the tool depends on the suitability the size of the appliance to the size of a human. If the tool does not fit, then a period of time will lead to stress in the body, and among others, may cause fatigue, pain, dizziness. The high compatibility design with humans who use it is essential to reduce the harm caused by the faulty work due to design errors [3]. III. METHODOLOGY Modern markets were observed in the area of Malang, Indonesia. There were 6 modern markets (shopping centre areas) that observed, which were Dieng, Gajah Mada, Malang Plaza, Malang Town Square (Matos), Mall Olympic Garden (MOG), and Sardo. IV. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS From the observation on six modern markets, ergonomics activities and non ergonomics activities were found at the modern markets. Observation was focused on various aspects of ergonomics such as biomechanics, manual material handling, and anthropometric. A. Ergonomics Activities 1) Biomechanics Fig. 1 Ergonomics Activity in Biomechanics Activity of tray taking is well done, because the operator s position is right. Moreover, related to the height of the table, the load carried is not too heavy and not too dangerous to fall, so the operator can freely take the tray. 9.3

4 Nasir Widha Setyanto, Wifqi Azlia, and Ratih Ardia Sari 2) Manual Material Handling comfortable when sitting on a chair. 4. D14 High chairs are in accordance with the long legs of visitors since they use lower percentile, so that visitors with a leg length of all sizes feel comfortable while sitting. Fig. 2 Ergonomics Activity in Manual Material Handling Lifting light to moderate weights can be done by using hands so the load raised can be balanced. Besides, to relieve the burden, the load lifted must be as close to the center of the body mass as possible. 3) Anthropometric B. Non Ergonomics Activities 1) Biomechanics Transfer of the load by carrying it, in these conditions is not very effective due to very heavy burden. Fig. 3 Ergonomics Activity in Anthropometric Anthropometric aspect in ergonomics can be seen in its dimension equipment or facility that is used by humans. Table 1 explains the suitability of anthropometric dimension for chairs that meet customer s dimension. Table 1 Dimension In Anthropometric No. Dimension Information 1. D12 Length of the chair fits human body according to the below percentile. 2. D9 Hand position above table is in accordance with the hand when bracket position. It makes visitors feel comfortable when sitting on a chair Fig. 4 Non Ergonomics Activity in Biomechanics Working attitude shown by workers in Fig.4 can also be said to be less precise. Calculation with Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA); scores obtains 7 meaning that the risk of occupational injuries or back pain occurs at a high level, immediate action to fix it is necessary. If the calculation of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) is 7, it means the person's body position when lifting weights is very risky and it is necessary to change as soon as possible to avoid injury to the body. Proposed improvement is using tools that can simplify and accelerate the transfer of the load called trolley. 2) Manual Material Handling 3. D16 The width of the chair according to the width of the hips visitors with top percentile, so that visitors feel 9.4

5 A Case Study: Ergonomics Phenomenon at Modern Market better to make more ergonomic-designed racks, so if workers replenish the stockpiles of goods, the activity can be done easily and safely. Fig. 5 Non Ergonomics Activity in Manual Material Handling Fig.5 referring to the activity of employees who move loads cardboard manually is not an ergonomics activity. Workers move heavy loads without using tools so that the body position, which is too bent, at the time of transfer is not ergonomic, and can result in fatigue and pain in the back. The improvements in the manual material handling by using trolley are proposed so that heavy items can be done safely and properly. 3) Anthropometric IV. CONCLUSIONS From the observation, it is found that there are a lot of ergonomic activities in the modern market. It occurs because the facility at modern market has already been set a standard. This standard helps sellers and buyers have high productivity at work. But, there are activities that are not ergonomic at the modern markets because of human behavior. Humans tend not to obey the procedures or rules that have been established. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The researchers wish to acknowledge the students of Ergonomic classes at the Industrial Engineering Department, for helping the researchers to collect the data. Fig. 6 Non Ergonomics Activity in Anthropometric High racks are not adjusted to the range of users. It is not accordance with anthropometry principles. Not everyone can reach the top rack, only a tall man with a long reach of the hand can reach it. Another risk that might happen is the stuff at the top will fall. Proposed improvement is adjusting to the height of rack that is accessible and safe to the users. Besides, the improvement of the layout of goods, such as the safe limit of the pile of goods that poses no risk of falling is also recommended. In addition, it is REFERENCES [1] Iftikar Z. Sutalaksana, Teknik Tata Cara Kerja, Bandung: Jurusan Teknik Industri Institut Teknologi Bandung, [2] Sritomo Wignjosoebroto, Ergonomi, Studi Gerak dan Waktu, Surabaya: Guna Widya, [3] Liliana, dkk. (2007) Anthropometri dengan Penerapan Ergonomi. [Online]. Available: c.id/2010/02/antropometri-denganpenerapan-ergonomi/ 9.5