Working Posture Assessment in a Small and Medium Industry (SMI): Automotive Repair Facility

Abstract

In automotive repair facilities worldwide, technicians are exposed to various ergonomic risk factors such as excessive exertions, awkward and static postures. The exposure of several ergonomic risk factors can lead to work related musculoskeletal complaints. This study was set out to examine working postures encountered by automotive service technicians in a small medium industry automotive workshop. A total of 240 observations (n=240) were made, and five types of working positions were identified, namely the “Underneath Vehicle” (vehicle on floor),“Side of Vehicle” (vehicle on floor), “Under the Hood”, “Side of Vehicle” (vehicle on lift), and “Underneath Vehicle” (vehicle on lift). Two positions, which were the “Underneath Vehicle” (vehicle on floor), and the “Side of Vehicle” (vehicle on floor) recorded 69 and 60 occurrences respectively. These two positions posed a significant ergonomic injury risk since the upper limbs, shoulders, spinal flexion combined with static holding were present in those two positions.