title: Design of a workstation and its evaluation under the influence of noise and illumination for an assembly task.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An experimental research was conducted to design a workstation for a lock manufacturing assembly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two experiments were conducted in the present study. Nine male subjects in the age range of 18-35 years participated in the first experiment. For the second experiment, nine subjects in each of the three age groups (viz. 17-22, 23-28 and 29-35 years) volunteered for experimental investigations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The designed workstation was evaluated under varying levels of noise and illumination for workers of different age groups. Three different workstations were evaluated. The task was performed by a worker in two different sitting positions and three settings of arms position.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that workstation type, backrest support and arms positions were all having a statistically significant effect on task performance. Workstation with work surface to seat height ratio of 1.82 was found to be better when the task was performed using backrest and arms were supported on the work surface. This workstation was evaluated for three different age groups of workers under different levels of noise and illumination. The results of the study showed that age of the worker, illumination level and level of noise were all contributing significantly towards task performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The design of a workstation for assembly task would help greatly in creating a better working environment and enhancing the productivity of workers exposed to environmental stressors like noise and illumination.
authors.affiliation: Ergonomics Research Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muzammil
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Abid Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hasan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004526:Efficiency; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008029:Lighting; D008297:Male; D009623:Noise, Occupational; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult