MARI-a practical solution for minimizing muscle fatigue associated with prolonged standing at industrial workplace

Ng, Eunice Xin Hui (2022) MARI-a practical solution for minimizing muscle fatigue associated with prolonged standing at industrial workplace. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

In the manufacturing industry and service sector, ergonomic work position is vital to improve occupational health and work efficiency. Working in a standing position is common in many workplaces as this posture provides greater flexibility and mobility to workers. However, working in prolonged standing can exhibit occupational health and productivity issues such as discomfort, muscle fatigue in the lower extremities, and decreased work performance. Thus, this study aims to determine the awareness level of workers from selected industries in Malaysia regarding ergonomics effects and solutions associated with prolonged standing at the workplace. An online survey that involved 55 respondents was carried out. All respondents are aware that prolonged standing causes discomfort and muscle fatigue. Furthermore, more than half of the respondents were aware that prolonged standing leads to swollen feet (thirty-six respondents) and varicose veins (thirty respondents). A concept of practical solutions called Moving-Alternate-Rest-Insoles (MARI) was proposed and validated to solve the ergonomics effects caused by prolonged standing. MARI is implemented in two case studies: a case study at an actual industry workplace and a simulated case study at the laboratory. The subject must fill in the questionnaire form version 1 before the case study and version 2 after the case study. This survey found a massive improvement in the level of fatigue, frequency of pain in lower body parts, and shoes' condition after implementing MARI. All respondents and one engineer from the industry mentioned that they were willing to implement MARI in their workplace due to MARI improving occupational health, work concentration, work productivity and work motivation. The time study carried out in simulated industrial case study clearly shows assembling the socket shows a significant decrease where the percentage of improvement is up to 25% in assembly time when the subject practised MARI. The EMG results found that MARI helps reduce muscle fatigue by lowering muscle contraction up to 95 %. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that MARI was proven to improve occupational health and work performance.

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