Guidelines for designing assembly work considering age management

Abstract

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.