ERGONOMICS ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: 16TH NOVEMBER 2016
Your task:
 In this assignment you will take a look at a simple case study to
identify the possible benefits that and ergonomic program may
have on the operation of a manufacturing (production) firm.
 You will read the case study below to identify possible ergonomic
concerns and devise possible solutions.
 You are required to write a 10 pages double spaced report on the
case involved, answering the following questions:
The Questions:
1. What are your initial observations? (Write your observations and
the possible concerns they might cause. (In point form).
2. What additional information do you wish to collect that could be
helpful in your assessment, but is not included in the case study?
3. What are some recommendations that you think may be feasible
for this worksite?
The Case Study:
A local manufacturer of aircraft engines has a worksite that
generates regular complaints from the workers and has the highest
rate of Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) claims.
Task description:
 The large components of aircraft engines are made of metal and
cast in moulds. Once taken out of the moulds there are frequently
rough edges and other imperfections in the engine components.
 The components are delivered to the worksite by forklift vehicles
on pallets and placed on a concrete floor.
 The workers then take a handheld grinder and proceed to remove
all of the imperfections on the engine component. The grinder is
cylinder shaped (Approximately the shape and diameter of a hand
flashlight) with a rotating in vibrating wheel at one end.

Various grinding pads are used on the rotating wheel depending on
the size and density of the spot to be smoothed.
Limitations:
 The components can be very heavy and tend to be easily damaged
if dropped, so the workers do not attempt to raise the pallets and
components onto tables.
 If too much metal is removed in the smoothing process, the
component may have to be melted down and recast.
Types of complaints and WCB claims:
 Back pain
 Carpal tunnel syndrome
 Knee pain
 Shoulder pain
 Forearm pain