REDISEÑO DE PUESTO DE TRABAJO EN EMPRESA AGROALIMENTARIA PARA MINIMIZAR LAS LESIONES MUSCULO-ESQUELÉTICAS EN LOS TRABAJADORES

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are a cause of concern not only because of the health effects on individual workers but also because of the economic impact on businesses and social costs. More than 70% of occupational diseases and 33% of accidents declared at work with days off work are musculoskeletal. Working layouts and processes, awkward postures, high demand repetitive movements, sustained efforts, insufficient muscular rests, are responsible for these losses. Optimal workplace design, selection of appropriate equipment and the ability to predict musculoskeletal load and physical demands of each process are key tools to prevent the emergence and development of injuries. A case study conducted in a food industry which recorded continuously days off work because of epicondylitis and wrist tendinitis is presented. The factory had old machines, without economic possibilities of being renewed. Muscular and biomechanical demands on workers, ergonomic risk factors and characteristics of various production processes were analyzed. Workplaces were redesign, accessories to the old machines were joined and production processes were changed. As a result, a performance improvement, an increase in productivity and the disappearance of days off work because of epicondyliltis and tendinitis were obtained. Keywords: redesign, workplace, ergonomics, musculoskeletal, off work