Participatory ergonomics intervention for improving human and production outcomes of a Brazilian furniture company

Published Date 

September 2015, Vol.49:97–107, doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2015.02.002

Title 

Participatory ergonomics intervention for improving human and production outcomes of a Brazilian furniture company

• Author 

• Lia Buarque de Macedo Guimarães ^,,
• Michel Jose Anzanello
• Jose Luis Duarte Ribeiro
• Tarcisio Abreu Saurin

• Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 5° andar, 90035-190 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Received 8 August 2013. Revised 24 January 2015. Accepted 2 February 2015. Available online 20 February 2015.

Highlights

• •
  A participatory intervention in a furniture company reduced workload in 42%.
• •
  46% Productivity increase was a way to make managers accept ergonomic changes.
• •
  Unnecessary load handling, waiting and transportation increased productivity in 25%.
• •
  Reduction of manufacturing times increased productivity in 21%.
• •
  Workers participation is crucial for achieving better and faster intervention results.

Abstract

This article presents a participatory intervention in a furniture manufacturing company in Southern Brazil aiming to improve both ergonomic and production outcomes. The existing Tayloristic model was replaced by a cellular teamwork model. Work enlargement and enrichment, and the improvements in workstation design and process flow increased worker satisfaction and reduced postural risk, fatigue, body pain and production waste. Workload was reduced by 42% and productivity increased by 46% (25% being attributable to unnecessary load handling, waiting and transportation, and 21% attributable directly to manufacturing times). Workers' participation in the stages of problems identification, design and evaluation of solutions played a major role in these outcomes.

Relevance to industry

This study indicates that it is possible to balance ergonomics and production demands, and that it is necessary to make it clear to management. The integration of macroergonomics and production management principles increases both worker well-being and productivity levels, thus leading to a more sustainable system.

Keywords 

• Participatory ergonomics
• Furniture manufacturer
• Functional work design
• Cellular work design

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• ∗ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 51 3308 3948; fax: +55 51 3308 4007.

For further details log on website :

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169814115000256

Biomimicry in Furniture Design

Published Date 

doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.255

7th World Conference on Educational Sciences

Open Access, Creative Commons license

Title 

Biomimicry in Furniture Design 

Author 

• Filiz Tavsan ^a
• Elif Sonmez ^b,,

• aKaradeniz Technical University, Faculty Of Architecture, Department Of Architecture, Trabzon, Turkey
• bKaradeniz Technical University, Faculty Of Architecture, Department Of Architecture, Trabzon, Turkey

Available online 7 August 2015.

Abstract

Nature, is a big factory, where the faults are kept at a minimum, choosing the most suitable material of all for the purpose, recycling them, and even changing every ingredient as conditions impose. Biomimicry examined models in nature, then imitating these designs or taking inspiration from them which aims to provide solutions to people's problems is one of the new branches of science. From past to present many disciplines have produced designs and solutions inspired by the nature. Interior architecture is also one of the this disciplines. Interior design, interior, structure, comfort, and materials in furniture design, as well as the influence of these designs are carried out. Furniture has always been a symbolic aspect of the life style and cultural richness of mankind. Form, structure or materials in the nature as used for furniture design both for aesthetic and practical purposes. In the study, designs were made with inspiration from macro and micro sized living beings in the nature. Within the concept of Biomimicry, furniture designs were made, which were inspired by both forms and structures in the nature and applied exactly.

References

1. • Benyus, 1997
   • J.M. Benyus
   • Biomimicry Innovation Inspired by Nature
   • 1997, Harper Perennial, New York
2. • Kuday, 2009
   • Kuday, I. (2009). Examination of the Term Biomimicry as a Supporting Factor In Design Process. Master's Thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Istanbul.
3. • Tokman, 2012
   • Tokman, L. (2012). Mimarlik Uzerine Bir Bilimsel Arastırma: Tasarim, Yontem, Uygulama. Elif Yayinevi Yayinlari, Ankara.
4. • URL-1, 2015
   • URL-1, (2015). http://mydesiredhome.com/floral-sofa-by-russian-designer-albina-basharova/.
5. • URL-2, 2015
   • URL-2, (2015). http://www.arthitectural.com/alvaro-uribe-mantis-table/.
6. • URL-3, 2015
   • URL-3, (2015). http://www.dezeen.com/2014/08/05/biomimicry-3d-printed-soft-seat-chair-by-lilian-van-daal/.
7. • URL-4, 2015
   • URL-4, (2015). http://www.jorislaarman.com/bone-furniture.html.
8. • URL-5, 2015
   • URL-5, (2015). http://hiconsumption.com/2013/07/modular-quartz-armchair/.
9. • URL-6, 2015
   • URL-6, (2015). http://www.examiner.com/article/hanging-from-a-branch-designs-that-will-blow-your-mind.

• ☆
  Peer-review under responsibility of Academic World Education and Research Center.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +4-34-54-343.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815042561