MANU 4341: ERGONOMICS

(MIDTERM)

Members : Muhammad Zakhuan bin Zulkeflee (1629031)

Section :1

Lecturer’s Name : Asst. Prof. Dr. Abd. Malek Bin Abdul Hamid
QUESTION 1 (20 marks)

a) Briefly describe the terms Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and Work-related

Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs).

Figure 1. Rafiq is focusing on his FYP.

b) Figure 1 illustrates the percentage of pressure on lumbar spine for various human body
positions. Discuss on how different positions of human postures would affect the lumbar spine.

Figure 2. Rafiq after finish presenting his IDP.

c) Figure 2 illustrates the scoring method of Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool for
human’s upper arms. By using an appropriate biomechanical principle, discuss on how the
scoring method was established.

Figure 3. Rafiq learnt to repair an air-conditioner.

d) As a Safety Engineer, you were asked by your immediate supervisor to give a

recommendation on the new workstation layout for the Human Resource Department (in
which, the main tasks are computer works). What would you recommend? Is it a sitting
workstation, standing workstation, or sitting-standing workstation? Justify your
recommendation.

Figure 4. Rafiq kayaking at Perhentian Island.

QUESTION 2 (20 marks)

a) ‘Minimizing the weight to be handled’ is one of the guidelines for reduction of risk in Manual
Materials Handling (MMH). Using this guideline, briefly describe two recommendations that
you could suggest for reduction of risk in MMH.

Figure 5. Rafiq preparing a sample for XRD analysis.

b) A worker has to unload a parcel as they come from conveyor #1. He picks up a parcel, turn
37.5 ̊, and places it on conveyor #2. Horizontal distance between the worker’s hands and ankles
is 28.4 cm. Vertical distance of the hands from the floor is 115 cm. The height of conveyor #1
and #2 from the floor are 50 cm and 120 cm respectively. He does this 1 time per minute for 2
hours. It was found that it is very easy to hold the parcels. If the weight of each parcel is 15 kg,
is the worker at risk? Justify your answer.

Figure 6. Rafiq's trying his first air pod.

c) Based on Question 2(b), what would you recommends in order to make it safe to assume
that the task would not increase the risk for injury? Justify your answer with necessary
calculation.

Figure 7. Rafiq posing for Instagram at Perhentian Island.

d) Figure 3 illustrates the recommended weight limits for lifting/lowering tasks that are
recommended by Department of Safety & Health Malaysia (DOSH). In addition to this
recommendation, DOSH (2018) stated that, if the task involves with repetitive action and/or
twisted body posture, reduction in the recommended weight limit need to be applied as listed
in Table 1. Critic these recommendations.

Figure 8. Rafiq at Temerloh exploring wonder of Pahang.

QUESTION 3 (20 marks)
a) Define the term ‘anthropometry’. With an example of application in manufacturing
workplace, briefly describe the concept of ‘reach’ and ‘clearance’.

Figure 9. Rafiq and Naqib before take-off to Terengganu.

b) From the hospital records, the average height of Malaysian is 165 cm with a standard
deviation of 5.4 cm. How would you use the anthropometric data of Thais in order to estimate
the shoulder height of Malaysian? Given that the statue of Thai is 166 cm with a standard
deviation of 5.7 cm, and the shoulder height of Thais is 26 cm shorter than their statue with a
standard deviation of 3.7 cm. Calculate the estimated 5th and 95 th percentile of Malaysian
shoulder height.

Figure 10. Rafiq and Zakhuan gone out for breakfast.

c) You are working as a Design Engineer for Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MRT
Corp). Recently, you were asked to design a new train coach. Which design philosophy would
you apply in your design? Is it design for average, extreme, or range? Justify your answer by
addressing the pros and cons of your choice. What percentile/s of anthropometric data will be
used in your design?

Figure 11. Rafiq performing woodworks.

d) In exercising an anthropometric survey, ‘the more individual that can be measured, the more
accurate the estimates will be’. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with
necessary calculations.

Figure 12. Rafiq at Materials student's gathering.

Bonus