Ergonomic weighted scores to evaluate critical instructions for improvements in a printed circuit assembly factory

Sen, R. N.; Yeow, Paul H.P.

doi:10.1002/hfm.10027

“…A few other researchers have also reported success integrating HF into engineering design tools in health care (Carayon et al, 2007; and manufacturing (Falck and Rosenqvist, 2012;Gawron et al, 2006). In Sen and Yeow's (2003) work in electronics manufacturing, they also developed unique company-specific tools in a participatory way with expert teams. They reported that their approach, compared to other HF methods, reduced effort and resources, was easier and more flexible to apply and was more accurate with lower cost and less need for expert involvement (Sen and Yeow, 2003).…”

Section: Discussion: How Can and Why Should Industrial Engineering Tools Be Adapted To Include Human Factors? Demonstration Of Ie Tools Amentioning

confidence: 99%

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

Village¹

2021

Preprint

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Human factors (HF) considerations, integrated early in design of production assembly systems, can improve both worker health and business performance. A longitudinal case study using an action research style collaboration between researchers and a large electronics manufacturer was the platform for this investigation. The findings show “how” HF, previously outside engineering with HF specialists (HFS) performing reactive injury assessments, increasingly became integrated into each stage of the design process with HF adapted tools, enforceable targets, sign-off, and most HF work focused on proactive design alongside engineers. An operations research tool (cognitive mapping) was used to identify the HF perceptions of Senior Directors and link these to their strategic goals. As a result, HF specialists changed their focus from injury risk to reducing fatigue and improving worker performance and assembly quality. Several industrial engineering tools were also adapted for HF (eg. HF failure mode effects analysis, HF design-for-assembly) and used to quantitatively communicate HF concerns, drive continuous improvement, visibly demonstrate change, and lead to benchmarking. Qualitative data analyzed with a grounded theory methodology resulted in six constructs in the final “Design for Human Factors” theory. The theory propositions state that when: 1. HFS acclimate to the engineering process, language and tools; and 2. strategically align HF to the design and business goals, then HF becomes perceived as a means to improve business performance. This results in 3. HFS being pulled onto the engineering team, which increases HF application and engineers’ awareness of HF, and 4. Management hold engineers accountable for HF targets. Being on the engineering team leads to 5. Engineering tools adapted to include HF targets, and in combination results in 6. HF becoming embedded in the design process. Senior directors reported that increased HF application has improved the design of more recent assembly lines and made it easier for operators. The theory contributes an explanation about how HF can be integrated into design processes to inform researchers and practitioners and improve proactive HF application. Recommendations include increased education for HFS in engineering, and more collaborative research to develop tools that quantify and link worker performance to business metrics.

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“…In Sen and Yeow's (2003) work in electronics manufacturing, they also developed unique company-specific tools in a participatory way with expert teams. They reported that their approach, compared to other HF methods, reduced effort and resources, was easier and more flexible to apply and was more accurate with lower cost and less need for expert involvement (Sen and Yeow, 2003). Participatory adaptation of IE tools, aligned with business metrics and goals may be one way HF can demonstrate its value to the main stakeholders of systems design.…”

Section: Discussion: How Can and Why Should Industrial Engineering Tools Be Adapted To Include Human Factors? Demonstration Of Ie Tools Amentioning

confidence: 99%

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

Village¹

2021

Preprint

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human factors (HF) considerations, integrated early in design of production assembly systems, can improve both worker health and business performance. A longitudinal case study using an action research style collaboration between researchers and a large electronics manufacturer was the platform for this investigation. The findings show “how” HF, previously outside engineering with HF specialists (HFS) performing reactive injury assessments, increasingly became integrated into each stage of the design process with HF adapted tools, enforceable targets, sign-off, and most HF work focused on proactive design alongside engineers. An operations research tool (cognitive mapping) was used to identify the HF perceptions of Senior Directors and link these to their strategic goals. As a result, HF specialists changed their focus from injury risk to reducing fatigue and improving worker performance and assembly quality. Several industrial engineering tools were also adapted for HF (eg. HF failure mode effects analysis, HF design-for-assembly) and used to quantitatively communicate HF concerns, drive continuous improvement, visibly demonstrate change, and lead to benchmarking. Qualitative data analyzed with a grounded theory methodology resulted in six constructs in the final “Design for Human Factors” theory. The theory propositions state that when: 1. HFS acclimate to the engineering process, language and tools; and 2. strategically align HF to the design and business goals, then HF becomes perceived as a means to improve business performance. This results in 3. HFS being pulled onto the engineering team, which increases HF application and engineers’ awareness of HF, and 4. Management hold engineers accountable for HF targets. Being on the engineering team leads to 5. Engineering tools adapted to include HF targets, and in combination results in 6. HF becoming embedded in the design process. Senior directors reported that increased HF application has improved the design of more recent assembly lines and made it easier for operators. The theory contributes an explanation about how HF can be integrated into design processes to inform researchers and practitioners and improve proactive HF application. Recommendations include increased education for HFS in engineering, and more collaborative research to develop tools that quantify and link worker performance to business metrics.

show abstract

“…A few other researchers have also reported success in integrating HF into engineering design tools in healthcare (Carayon et al, 2007(Carayon et al, , 2010 and manufacturing (Gawron et al, 2006;Zink et al, 2008;Falck & Rosenqvist, 2012). Sen and Yeow (2003) also developed unique company-specific tools for electronics manufacturing in a participatory way with expert teams. They reported that their approach, compared to other HF methods, reduced effort and resources, was easier and more flexible to apply, and was more accurate with lower cost and less need for expert involvement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting Engineering Design Tools to Include Human Factors

Village

¹

,

Greig

²

,

Zolfaghari

³

et al. 2014

IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors

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The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden.

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Ergonomic weighted scores to evaluate critical instructions for improvements in a printed circuit assembly factory

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

Adapting Engineering Design Tools to Include Human Factors

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