| Author | Dahanayake, Rasika Sandamini |
| Call Number | AIT Caps. Proj. no.IE-16-03 |
| Subject(s) | Human engineering
Ergonomics design and management
|
| Note | A capstone project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Caps. Proj. ; no. IE-16-03 |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to design and fabricate an ergonomic sewing chair for the sewing
industry to help the employees to reduce the long term health risks like musculoskeletal
disorders due to the seated postures for longer hours, i.e. 9 or more hours daily as the nature
of the job.
Using a 320 sample population of sewing machine operators of a factory, initial survey was
carried out find the need of an ergonomic chair compared to the current chair that is being
used. The results of the analysis showed a greatest need of an ergonomic chair as a highest
population of the sample population expressed their dissatisfaction on the comfortability
of the chair as well as the highest percentage of the sample population showed negative
side effects with relate to the well-being of them. Even in the preliminary survey, employees
showed their interest at high percentage to embed ergonomic features to the new chair
(i.e. swivel, height adjustable, movable, adjustable backrest, stool footrest, horizontally adjustable
backrest, adjustable headrest and etc.)
In the second phase, an anthropomorphic survey was conducted with the same sample population
and necessary requirements were taken on anthropometric measurements (i.e. popliteal
height, buttock popliteal length, sitting shoulder height, shoulder breadth, hip breadth, head
height, head breadth and etc.). Based on those anthropometric measurements, values were
selected to design the sewing chair and was fabricated.
Fabricated chair was tested using a 50 sample of Sri Lankan female students at the AIT.
Testing methods were Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool to evaluate posture and
questionnaire for user satisfaction regarding the comfortability of the newly fabricated chair.
Using ’RULA’ tool, the exposure of individual workers to risk factors associated with work
related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was calculated when the new sewing chair was
used. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment was carried out using the worksheet. Majority (80%) of
the 50 sample population showed a ’RULA’ score either 1 or 2 when the data was analyzed.
According to the standard grand score card of ’RULA’, the score level of 1-2 is equal to
level of musculoskeletal disorder risk as negligible. As well as 80% or more of the 50
sample population also expressed their satisfaction for the ergonomic features of the newly
fabricated sewing chair. Therefore, in view of the above two analyses, the new sewing chair
will be an ideal solution to the occupational health related issues encountered due to seated
postures. |
| Year | 2016 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Caps. Proj. ; no. IE-16-03 |
| Type | Capstone Project |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Industrial Systems Engineering (DISE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Industrial Engineering (IE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bohez, Erik L.J.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Montalee Sasananan ;Than Lin; |
| Degree | Capstone Project (B.Sc.)-Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 |
