Worker evaluation of a macroergonomic intervention in a Brazilian footwear company.
This article presents a macroergonomic intervention in a Brazilian footwear company and its evaluation by the workers. Using participatory ergonomics, the traditional Taylor/Ford production system was transformed into a socio-technical one and tested by 100 volunteers working during 3.5 years in a pilot production line. Multiskilling and teamwork were the major changes promoted to enlarge and enrich work and make it more flexible. The workers' evaluation pre- and post-intervention showed an increase in overall satisfaction with the work and more commitment to the results and company targets.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that problems and solutions can be identified through participatory ergonomics, that it is easier to involve workers than the managerial staff, and that a macroergonomic intervention, mainly focusing on work organization, led to positive personnel, health and production outcomes, despite management's resistance to changes.
Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha 99 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: liabmg@gmail.com.br.
L B de M
LB
Guimarães
Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha 99 5° andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: ribeiro@ufrgs.br.
J L D
JL
Ribeiro
Health Sciences Institute, Feevale University Center, RS 239, 2755 Vila Nova, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil. Electronic address: jacinta@feevale.br.
J S
JS
Renner
Department of Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600 sala 413 - CEDOP Santana, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil. Electronic address: pbarros@ufrgs.br.
P A B
PA
de Oliveira
D001938:Brazil; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012775:Shoes; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards
Footwear industry; Participatory ergonomics; Workers point of view