Citation

Parenmark G, Malmkvist A-K, Ortengren R. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1993; 11(4): 291-300.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

In a new assembly plant, all relevant ergonomic and organizational know-how available was brought to bear in order to minimize disorders from the locomotor system. The concomitant effects on employee turnover and production disturbances such as delays and errors due to the human factor were studied at the same time.The factory with all its places of work was designed to meet high ergonomic standards and the workers were trained and motivated to take advantage of the provided facilities.Work was organized so as to allow for a certain percentage of the work force being on sick-leave without putting undue stress on the remaining workers. With a view to job enrichment, other tasks were added to the regular assembly work. In addition, a new pay system, which promotes quality and takes age into account, was introduced.As a result, sick-leave absence decreased by 5 percentage points, to less than 3/4 the rate of the old factory, and personnel turnover dropped by 25 percentage points, falling below one third compared to the old factory. Besides, production planning became largely liberated from disturbances and both production costs and warranty expenses diminished.