A method to design job rotation schedules to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work

Abstract

Asensio Cuesta, S.; Diego-Mas, JA.; Cremades Oliver, L.; González-Cruz, M. (2012). A method to design job rotation schedules to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work. Job rotation is an organizational strategy widely used in human-based production lines with the aim of preventing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). These work environments are characterized by the presence of a high repetition of movements, which is a major risk factor associated with WMSDs.This article presents a genetic algorithm to obtain rotation schedules aimed at preventing WMSDs in such environments. To do this, it combines the effectiveness of genetic algorithms optimization with the ability to evaluate the presence of risk by repeated movements by following the OCRA ergonomic assessment method. The proposed algorithm can design solutions in which workers will switch jobs with high repeatability of movements with other less demanding jobs that support their recovery. In addition, these solutions are able to diversify the tasks performed by workers during the day, consider their disabilities and comply with restrictions arising from the work organisation.

Job rotation designed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and control risk in manufacturing industries: A systematic review

“…Of the 14 studies included, only one was rated as good (case-control design) (Roquelaure et al, 1997), six as fair (Balogh et al, 2006; Dawal et al, 2009; Dawal and Taha, 2007; Fredriksson et al, 2001; Guimarães et al, 2012; Sato and Coury, 2009), and seven as poor methodological quality (Asensio-Cuesta et al, 2012a; Asensio-Cuesta et al, 2012b; Carnahan et al, 2000; Diego-Mas et al, 2009; Filus and Okimorto, 2012; Frazer et al, 2003; Tharmmaphornphilas and Norman, 2007a). …”

“…In terms of outcomes, five studies targeted MSD prevention (outcomes included measures of disability, disorders, pain, discomfort) (Balogh et al, 2006; Guimarães et al, 2012; Fredriksson et al, 2001; Roquelaure et al, 1997; Sato and Coury, 2009), 11 studies targeted changes in exposure to physical risk factors (biomechanics, repetition, fatigue, effort exertion) (Asensio-Cuesta et al, 2012a; Asensio-Cuesta et al, 2012b; Balogh et al, 2006; Carnahan et al, 2000; Diego-Mas et al, 2009; Frazer et al, 2003; Fredriksson et al, 2001; Filus and Okimorto, 2012; Roquelaure et al, 1997; Sato and Coury, 2009; Tharmmaphornphilas and Norman, 2007a), and three targeted the job-rotation effect on psychosocial factors (job satisfaction) (Dawal et al, 2009; Dawal and Taha, 2007; Guimarães et al, 2012). …”

Effectiveness of job rotation for preventing work-related musculoskeletal diseases: a cluster randomised controlled trial

“…Job rotation is an organisational ergonomic strategy used widely on assembly lines in manufacturing industries 1. It is defined as rotation of workers between jobs or tasks with different exposure levels and occupational demands 2.…”

“…In the absence of this evidence, the most appropriate approach is to use the systematisation of studies 10. To meet these goals, job rotation implementation in a manufacturing industry must include: acceptance and involvement of managers and workers; assessment of the job characteristics (demands, biomechanical exposure levels, autonomy) and the production method; choosing the number of employees per task; and definition of criteria and parameters that will be used to generate a job rotation schedule 1 11 12. Training all workers according to their competences before implementing job rotation is also important 8…”

The effectiveness of job rotation to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders: protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial

“…To assist in this planning, some methods and algorithms have been developed using the variables mentioned before [11-14]; however, the proposed rotation as reported in the literature, has not been evaluated in controlled clinical studies or randomized, and the effect of reducing absenteeism caused by musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace is not yet proven.…”