Ergonomic analysis through the application of the rula method in the manufacturing industry process

Abstract

The problem analyzed in this article lies in the legal compliance of the Official Mexican Standard that will enter into force on March 31, 2024, the evaluation was carried out in the steel tank leak test area at the final assembly station. The applied method will allow evaluating the exposure of workers to risks due to the maintenance of inadequate postures that can cause disorders in the upper limbs of the body of this study, which is the RULA method (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment).

First, an observation of the operation carried out by the worker in various periods of work began, the assessment of these measurements is in two segments; Segment A: Analysis of the Arm, Forearm and Wrist and, Segment B: Analysis of the Neck, Trunk and Legs; each one has a range of evaluation through a scoring system based on the angles formed by their body extremities, in the movements, as well as through the load or forces applied, considering in the same way, the type of activity carried out.

Where in the range of the final score, a score of 1 means an acceptable risk and a score of 7 can be translated as poor ergonomics in the work station where it must be solved immediately to prevent occupational hazards. After obtaining the results of the ergonomic analysis, which gave us a final rating of the evaluation of the aforementioned station of 7; indicating that urgent changes are required in the operation.

The ergonomic evaluation contributes to the organization with due compliance with the Official Mexican STANDARD NOM-036-1-STPS-and to the personnel with the actions carried out to mitigate the problems of the evaluated area, creating better working conditions.