Guidelines for designing assembly work considering age management
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Production engineering (MPPEN), MSc
Publicerad
2019
Författare
García Merello, María del Carmen
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Abstract
The European population is ageing. Indeed, this demographic change is considered one of the
biggest challenges that Europe will face in the coming years. It represents an economic and social
challenge for industrial companies: on the one hand, keeping workers longer, on the other hand,
ensuring their health and safety. The outcome of this thesis is a guideline that provides
recommendations for designing assembly work and workplaces which consider age management.
It is the result of an extensive literature study which includes the three main dimensions of the field
of ergonomics: physical, cognitive and organisational ergonomics. Moreover, these findings were
corroborated by an interview with an ergonomist working at a production site. In addition, a survey
was carried out to evaluate whether age management is an issue that is being considered in the
Swedish manufacturing sector or not, and the current state of age management within production
sites. The data collected has been mapped to compose the guidelines and was classified into four
different groups: workstation and task design, equipment, psychosocial aspects and work
environment. The findings of this research provide a valuable basis for designing workplaces
considering age management. On the other hand, the results of the survey reveal a need of
implementing age management measures within the design of workplaces. This guideline will be a
potential tool for achieving this purpose.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Age management, ergonomics, workplace, guideline