Implementation of the lean ergonomics approach to process performance improvement

Abstract

Actually market is subject to constant change which forces organizations to innovate with new strategies that provide greater productivity to maintain a competitive advantage, one of the flexible tools used are Lean systems. However, in most of the improvements registered in these systems, the non-ergonomic elements have not been considered as waste, which have high costs for companies. This document presents an approach to integrating Lean systems with Ergonomics, the main tools used were Value Stream Mapping, SIPOC, Kaizen, REBA Method and NIOSH. As a result, a risk identification was obtained in 86% of the 26 activities of three processes analyzed, mainly by postures, manual lifting of loads and repetitiveness, with the improvements developed, the 25 controlled risks were reduced high to medium or low and obtained an average reduction of 32% in the cycle time of operations, making each process more efficient.