Posture analysis of repetitive tasks in workers of a refrigerator factory using ART method

Nowadays different techniques are used for ergonomic risk assessment of repetitive tasks. The aim of the present study was to investigate the degree of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and to assess the risk of repetitive tasks of assembly line workers in a refrigerator industry.
To conduct this descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study, first of all, the worksheet of task descriptions was completed for recording task data related to 17 assemblers. After determining tasks and sub-tasks of each workstation, ergonomic risk of the assemblers’ upper limbs states was assessed via the Assessment of Repetitive Tasks (ART) tool. The data were analyzed using SPSS-19.
According to the findings, the highest risk score for the right and left hands are related to installing internal vacuums (Risk Score=27) and refrigerator evaporators (Risk Score=22), respectively. In addition, the total risk score in the workstation of connecting upper parts of refrigerators was higher than the total scores of other assembly stations. The present study indicated that the risk level of musculoskeletal disorders of right hands is higher than that of the left hands.
The results of the present study indicated that the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive tasks in the assembly job is relatively high and requires further investigations, training workers about correct principles of ergonomics, and appropriate design of workstations.