Effect of Continuous Training of Ergonomic on Productivity and Exposure to Ergonomic Risk Factors

Abstract

Background and Objective: Ergonomic training does not impose the same costs as the other interventions, such as changing the work procedures, using new technologies, and redesigning the work environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous ergonomic training on the rate of productivity and exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Materials and Methods: In this study, 51 employees of a food industry factory in Tehran in the year 2018 were selected by random sampling method. The demographic and productivity data were collected by demographic and achieve questionnaires, respectively. In addition, exposure to ergonomic risk factors was evaluated by Quick Exposure Check (QEC). This information was re-collected after a four-month ergonomic audio-visual training course. The efficacy of the training course was examined by the paired t-test. Results: Our findings indicated that almost half of the participants were in the worst possible posture and the number of people who had the unsuitable posture did not change pre- and post-intervention. The results demonstrated that two-thirds of the samples had a moderate productivity score and training was not effective in this regard. Despite the lack of significant changes in terms of productivity and exposure to risk factors of ergonomics, the scores of these two variables altered significantly. In other words, the change was not significant in a way that could alter the levels of these two variables in the studied subjects. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, continuous ergonomic training could reduce the QEC score and increase productivity in the work environment.

Keywords

• ergonomics risk factors; ergonomic training; productivity; quick exposure check