A new method for determining extra time by considering ergonomic loads in the garment and metal-working industries.
The changing labour conditions in the garment and metal-working industries have led to the necessity of determining new extra times to establish the time standard. In this paper, a method of measuring stress and strain imposed upon the operator in new working conditions by determining the additional production coefficient is presented. The method gives criteria and grades to assess stress at the workplace. Physical stress (dynamic and static), thermal and visual stress, discomfort caused by noise, aerosols, gases and vapours, and the stress due to monotony are assessed. The stresses are expressed by ecological, physiological and psychological indexes. The indexes are pondered. Ponderation includes the factor of the magnitude and the time of exposure to stress. Ponderation is expressed by the number of points, the total being an adequate presentation of the stresses. Stress and strain decrease the working performance of the operator. Therefore they must be included in the standard to compensate for the operator's lower working efficiency due to physical and psychological strain at the workplace. Short breaks and stops allowed during work enable the operator to perform work tasks without getting excessively tired. The necessary correction of the production time is made by applying the ergonomic coefficient Ker.
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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Maribor, Slovenia.
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D016552:Ergometry; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D009790:Occupations; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013784:Textiles; D013996:Time and Motion Studies