An ergonomic study on the teller's workstation of a Philippine bank

• Main Authors: Jimenez, Maria Olivia V., Limqueco, Leticia O., Tangsoc, Katherine May C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2000
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/12029
• Institution: De La Salle University

Executive Summary. Many ergonomic studies have been conducted on sewer and VDT workstations. Likewise, the need for designing workstations specifically for the use of the pregnant women and the handicapped were established. However, not one ergonomic study has been made on the bank teller's workstation. An Ergonomic Study on the Teller's Workstation of a Philippine Bank is a study that is mainly focused on the design of the current teller's workstation. In order to establish the need for this study, postural stress analysis was conducted. Postural stress analysis includes Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Nordic Questionnaire and Advanced Ergonomics Checklist. In administering these assessment tools, the results ascertained that redesigning the workstation was necessary. The need for redesigning the workstation was mainly caused by the poor sitting position assumed by the tellers as they perform their tasks. In generating the alternative design, many factors were taken into consideration. These factors are anthropometric data, office environment, human factors, and materials to be utilized for the workstation. Moreover, other design concepts were also adapted from existing designs of office tables and chairs available in the market. The alternative designs for the table and chair were evaluated through the use of the Kepner-Tregoe Decision Analysis. For the table, Alternative 3 was chosen. In this design, the money compartment was transferred on top of the table, leading to a better leg clearance. Moreover, this design has a chamfered corner that maximizes the use of the table. On the other hand, the selected chair design is the first alternative. This is a high ergonomic chair with a detachable pillow positioned at the backrest. The proposed workstation design was visually pre-evaluated through the use of the softwares Autocad and MQPro. From the computer-generated drawings, it was established that the proposed design gives proper leg clearance. The prototype of the proposed workstation was validated through the use of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Advanced Ergonomics Checklist. The results of RULA showed that the teller's risk of experiencing musculoskeletal pains is reduced by 25.56%. Furthermore, the findings from the Advanced Ergonomic Checklist indicate that proposed workstation provides adequate leg clearance and reach distances. Also, it was determined that the chair gives enough support for the back and that the arms do not rest on contact sharp edges. Generally, the study indicates that the use of the proposed workstation design improves the postures of the tellers as they go about their tasks. Given that this design promotes proper and comfortable positions, the possibility of musculoskeletal pins associated with their tasks is significantly reduced.