Ergonomic Analysis of Working Conditions in Cable Assembly Plants: A Study Based on REBA and CMDQ

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent one of the most prevalent and critical ergonomic health issues encountered globally in the field of occupational health and safety. Today, excessive workload and prolonged exposure to non-ergonomic working postures contribute significantly to the development of MSDs, particularly in the back, waist, neck, and upper extremities. The manifestation of these disorders varies depending on the nature and repetition of work tasks. In this context, the present study evaluates ergonomic risk levels affecting various body regions of employees engaged in cable manufacturing, assembly, and production activities. To assess the impact of musculoskeletal discomfort, the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) was employed, while posture-based ergonomic risk levels at workstations were analyzed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Based on the findings, practical recommendations were developed to reduce ergonomic risks and improve working conditions. This study demonstrates that the combined use of CMDQ and REBA provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating workplace ergonomics.

Keywords

• Ergonomics
• REBA
• CMDQ
• Occupational health and safety

Kablo Montaj Tesislerinde Çalışma Koşullarının Ergonomik Analizi: REBA ve CMDQ Dayalı Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Çalışma kaynaklı kas-iskelet sistemi bozuklukları (KİSB), küresel ölçekte iş sağlığı ve güvenliği alanında karşılaşılan en yaygın ve önemli ergonomik sorunlardan biri olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Günümüzde çalışanların aşırı iş yüküne maruz kalmaları ve ergonomik olmayan çalışma pozisyonlarında uzun süre görev yapmaları, başta sırt, bel, boyun ve üst ekstremiteler olmak üzere çeşitli vücut bölgelerinde kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarının gelişmesine neden olmaktadır. Söz konusu rahatsızlıkların ortaya çıkışı, yapılan işin niteliğine ve tekrarlayan duruşlara bağlı olarak değişkenlik göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmada bir kablo üretim tesisinde yürütülen imalat, montaj ve üretim faaliyetlerinde görev alan çalışanların farklı vücut bölgelerine yönelik ergonomik risk düzeyleri değerlendirilmiştir. Analiz sürecinde, kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarının çalışanlar üzerindeki etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla Cornell Kas-İskelet Sistemi Bozuklukları Anketi (CMDQ), iş istasyonlarındaki duruş temelli ergonomik risk düzeylerini belirlemek üzere ise REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda, ergonomik risk düzeylerinin azaltılmasına ve çalışma koşullarının iyileştirilmesine yönelik uygulanabilir çözüm önerileri sunulmuştur. Bu çalışma, REBA ve CMDQ yöntemlerinin birlikte kullanımının işyeri ergonomisine yönelik bütüncül bir değerlendirme sağladığını göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Ergonomi
• REBA
• CMDQ
• İş sağlığı ve güvenliği

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