Strategic Assessment of Ergonomics in Jordan's Maritime Operations: Safety and Productivity Perspectives

Abstract

This study examines the impact of ergonomic interventions on workplace safety and productivity within a sea freight forwarding company operating in Aqaba and Amman, Jordan. The research aimed to identify key ergonomic risk factors affecting employees and to evaluate targeted interventions designed to reduce physical discomfort, enhance job satisfaction, and improve operational performance. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative data from structured questionnaires—covering demographics, physical discomfort, job satisfaction, ergonomic support, and fatigue—with qualitative insights from employee interviews. Physical risk levels were assessed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool, while company records on safety incidents, absenteeism, and productivity were analysed to triangulate findings. The study involved 120 participants across administrative and operational roles. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and ANOVA, were applied to compare pre- and post-intervention data. Results indicated a significant reduction in musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue, accompanied by notable improvements in perceived job satisfaction, productivity, and safety outcomes. The findings highlight the value of integrating ergonomic strategies into logistics operations and provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing employee well-being and organizational efficiency.

Keywords

• Ergonomic Management
• Workplace Safety
• REBA Assessment
• Musculoskeletal Disorders.
• Productivity

Ürdün'ün Denizcilik Faaliyetlerinde Ergonominin Stratejik Değerlendirmesi: Güvenlik ve Verimlilik Perspektifleri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Ürdün'ün Akabe ve Amman kentlerinde faaliyet gösteren bir deniz taşımacılığı şirketinde ergonomik müdahalelerin işyeri güvenliği ve verimlilik üzerindeki etkisini incelemektedir. Araştırma, çalışanları etkileyen temel ergonomik risk faktörlerini belirlemeyi ve fiziksel rahatsızlığı azaltmak, iş memnuniyetini artırmak ve operasyonel performansı iyileştirmek için tasarlanmış hedefli müdahaleleri değerlendirmeyi amaçlamıştır. Yapısal anketlerden elde edilen demografik bilgiler, fiziksel rahatsızlık, iş memnuniyeti, ergonomik destek ve yorgunluk gibi nicel veriler ile çalışanlarla yapılan görüşmelerden elde edilen niteliksel bilgiler birleştirilerek karma yöntem yaklaşımı kullanılmıştır. Fiziksel risk düzeyleri Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) aracı kullanılarak değerlendirilirken, güvenlik olayları, devamsızlık ve verimlilikle ilgili şirket kayıtları da bulguları doğrulamak için analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmaya idari ve operasyonel görevlerde çalışan 120 kişi katılmıştır. Tanımlayıcı istatistikler, eşleştirilmiş t-testleri ve ANOVA dahil olmak üzere istatistiksel analizler, müdahale öncesi ve sonrası verileri karşılaştırmak için uygulandı. Sonuçlar, kas-iskelet sistemi şikayetlerinde ve yorgunlukta önemli bir azalma olduğunu ve bununla birlikte algılanan iş memnuniyeti, verimlilik ve güvenlik sonuçlarında da kayda değer iyileşmeler olduğunu gösterdi. Bulgular, ergonomik stratejilerin lojistik operasyonlarına entegre edilmesinin değerini vurgulamakta ve çalışanların refahını ve organizasyonel verimliliği artırmak için kanıta dayalı öneriler sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Ergonomik Yönetim
• İşyeri Güvenliği
• REBA Değerlendirmesi
• Kas-İskelet Sistemi Rahatsızlıkları.
• Verimlilik

References

1. [1] Johnson, M., & Widyanti, A. (2023). Effects of ergonomic interventions on mental workload and fatigue in logistics workers. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 28(1), 34–45.
2. [2] Sorensen, L. J., Stanton, N. A., & Banks, A. P. (2018). The impact of continuous cognitive training on decision-making and fatigue resilience. Applied Ergonomics, 70, 120–130.
3. [3] Österman, C., & Rose, L. (2015). Exploring maritime ergonomics from a bottom-line perspective. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 9(2), 153–168.
4. [4] Chen, H., Wu, W., Zhang, X., & Zhou, Z. (2020). Mental workload and maritime operators’ performance: An EEG-based evaluation. Safety Science, 130, 104874.
5. [5] Puthran, A., Raghavan, R., & Abraham, R. (2019). Stress, fatigue, and burnout among shipping industry workers: A mixed-methods study. Marine Policy, 104, 28–36.
6. [6] Kim, S. J., & Kim, H. K. (2022). Reducing musculoskeletal and cognitive fatigue in logistics through ergonomic interventions. Ergonomics, 65(4), 523–536.
7. [7] Torres, P., & Ferreira, A. (2023). Cognitive workload, fatigue, and navigation errors in maritime transport: A case study. Journal of Navigation, 76(2), 345–361.
8. [8] Bener, A., Al-Harthy, S. S., & Bhugra, D. (2018). Impact of stress management programs on fatigue and productivity in the transport sector. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 58, 580–589.

9. [9] Wang, Y., Li, Z., & Luo, Q. (2022). Effects of automation and decision support systems on cognitive workload in port operations. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 168, 108064.
10. [10] Ng, A., & Smith, L. (2021). Fatigue-related accident risk in maritime shipping: An analysis of contributing factors. Safety Science, 136, 105147.
11. [11] Arezes, M. P., & Carvalho, P. V. (Eds.). (2016). Ergonomics and Human Factors in Safety Management. Taylor & Francis Group, p. 122.
12. [12] Assessing financial impact of maritime ergonomics on company level: A case study. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271865014_Assessing_financial_impact_of_maritime_ergonomics_on_company_level_a_case_study [Accessed Jan 30, 2025].
13. [13] Bailey, N. (2006). Risk perception and safety management systems in the global maritime industry. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 4, 59–75.
14. [14] A qualitative study of facilities and their environmental performance. (2004). Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 15(2), 154–173.
15. [15] Abrahamsson, L. (2000). Production economics analysis of investment initiated to improve working environment. Applied Ergonomics, 31, 1–7.
16. [16] Adeyemi, A. O. (2010). ICT facilities: Ergonomic effects on academic library staff. Library Philosophy and Practice (E-journal), 1–5.
17. [17] Aguinis, H. (2009). Performance Management (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
18. [18] Johnson, M., & Widyanti, A. (2023). Effects of ergonomic interventions on mental workload and fatigue in logistics workers. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 28(1), 34–45.
19. [19] Adegoke, B. O. A., Akodu, A. K., & Oyeyemi, A. L. (2008). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian physiotherapists. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 9, 112.
20. [20] Armstrong, T. J., & Chaffin, D. B. (1979). Some biomechanical aspects of the carpal tunnel. Journal of Biomechanics, 12, 567–570.
21. [21] Arulrajah, A. A., & Opatha, H. H. D. N. P. (2012). An exploratory study on the personal qualities and characteristics expected by the organizations for key HRM jobs in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Human Resource Management, 3(1), 32–48.
22. [22] Akintayo, D. L., & Faniran, J. O. (2012). Analysis of group dynamics and interpersonal relations among employees: The case of Nigerian breweries in Oyo State. International Review of Business and Social Sciences, 1(7), 37–45.
23. [23] A. Bezzina, E. Austin, H. Nguyen, and C. James, “Workplace psychosocial factors and their association with musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of longitudinal studies,” Workplace Health & Safety, vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 178–189, 2024.
24. [24] R. L. Straker and P. Mathiassen, “Increased physical work loads and stress responses: Pathways linking psychosocial hazards to musculoskeletal disorders,” Applied Ergonomics, vol. 98, pp. 103569, 2022.
25. [25] D. G. Josephson, M. R. Cole, and E. Frank, “The stress-injury model: A systemic approach to understanding and preventing MSDs,” Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 45–58, 2020.
26. [26] P. G. Dempsey, J. J. McGorry, and K. L. Maynard, “The effect of musculoskeletal fatigue on posture and movement during repetitive tasks,” Ergonomics, vol. 60, no. 9, pp. 1233–1245, 2017.
27. [27] W. S. Marras, “Occupational biomechanics: Posture, lifting, and risk in logistics and freight handling,” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 50, pp. 1–8, 2015.
28. [28] G. Chaffin, K. Anderson, and J. Martin, Occupational Biomechanics, 4th ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2006.
29. [29] M. R. Lowe, “Ergonomic redesign and training strategies to reduce MSD risk,” Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 176–185, 2013.
30. [30] J. Karwowski, “Ergonomics and safety in maritime logistics,” International Maritime Health, vol. 63, no. 2, pp. 102–110, 2012.
31. [31] M. O’Neil, “Office ergonomic standards: Layperson’s guide,” Knoll Workplace Research, 2011.
32. [32] B. Gutnick, “Workplace stress: The next occupational hazard,” National Safety Council Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 24–29, 2007.
33. [33] O. Taiwo, “The influence of work environment on workers' productivity: A case of selected organizations in Lagos, Nigeria,” African Journal of Business Management, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 199–207, 2009.
34. [34] M. Beer, R. A. Eisenstat, and B. Spector, The Critical Path to Corporate Renewal, Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press, 1994.
35. [35] O. Taiwo, Work Environment and Employee Performance, Lagos, Nigeria: G&B Publications, 2009.
36. [36] D. Leblebici, “Impact of workplace quality on employee productivity: Case study of a software company,” Journal of Business, Economics & Finance, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 38–49, 2012.
37. [37] N. M. Al-Anzi, “Workplace environment and its impact on employee performance,” International Journal of Business and Management, vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 171–179, 2009.
38. [38] A. Robertson, L. Ciriello, and B. Garabet, “Effect of ergonomics training and workstation adjustment on productivity and musculoskeletal disorders,” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 149–157, 2003.
39. [39] Robertson, M. M., Huang, Y. H., O’Neill, M. J., & Schleifer, L. M. (2002). Flexible workspace design and ergonomics training: Impacts on the psychosocial work environment, musculoskeletal health, and work effectiveness among knowledge workers. Applied Ergonomics, 33(5), 533–547.
40. [40] Hedge, A. (2003). Ergonomic workplace design for health, wellness, and productivity. Cornell Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group, Technical Report.
41. [41] Zein, R. M., Halim, I., Azis, N. A., Saptari, A., & Kamat, S. R. (2015). Ergonomic study of work posture in manufacturing industries using RULA and REBA tools. Procedia Manufacturing, 2, 296–301.
42. [42] Haslam, R. A., Hide, S. A., Gibb, A. G. F., Gyi, D. E., Pavitt, T., Atkinson, S., & Duff, A. R. (2005). Contributing factors in construction accidents. Applied Ergonomics, 36(4), 401–415.
43. [43] Jensen, O. C., Sørensen, J. F., Thomas, M., Canals, M. L., Hu, Y., & Nikolic, N. (2004). Working conditions in international seafaring. Occupational Medicine, 54(8), 517–527.
44. [44] Hignett, S., & McAtamney, L. (2000). Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Applied Ergonomics, 31(2), 201–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(99)00039-3.
45. [45] E. Trist and K. Bamforth, "Some Social and Psychological Consequences of the Longwall Method of Coal-Getting," Human Relations, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 3–38