Modified method time measurements for ergonomic planning of production systems in the manufacturing industry

The paper reports on an evaluation of a method called ErgoSAM. This method is based on SAM, a higher-level method-time-measurement( MTM) system, and i s for use by production planners, e.g. production engineers. In addition to the SAM information, the ErgoSAM method considers information on weight ha ndled or forces applied and work zone. The method is designed to predict th e physical demands of work postures, force and repetitivity, according to a scientific model, the Cube model. In co-operation with the Volvo Car Corpo ration, six workstations of an assembly line were analysed by a production engineer using ErgoSAM. The total assembly time analysed was about 17 minut es. The results were compared to results from ergonomic analyses made by an ergonomist using the Volvo Car Corporation's standards. The results showed that ErgoSAM predicts work situations of high physical stress for the work ers. However, the method does not consider stressful positions for the hand , wrist and neck or mental stress. The production engineer judged the ErgoS AM analyses to require about 5% more time than SAM analyses alone. It is co ncluded that the method shows considerable promise for predicting physicall y stressful work situations, but needs to be further evaluated and refined.