Workstation evaluation of Manila Bulletin

• Main Authors: Chan, Kurt Derick, Delos Reyes, Patrick, Eucariza, Nevin Lawrence, Gutierrez, Alma Ma. Jennifer A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Human engineering; Manila Bulletin
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7393
• Institution: De La Salle University

The research study addresses the concerns and issues with the current workstations of Manila Bulletin. The main objective of the study is to assess the current workstation and evaluate if the workers are ergonomically fit. The proposed workstation will provide improvements with the application of ergonomic principles that will increase comfort and decrease pain. The current workstation of Manila Bulletin was assessed using different ergonomic tools such as illumination, glare, noise, anthropometry, and rapid upper limb assessment. Data gathered were evaluated by comparing the current measurements with the ergonomic standards of Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Branch-Labour Department, European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S.), and Singapore Occupational Health Department, to determine if the current workstation is fit for the workers and safe from risks and injuries. The anthropometric measurements of Manila Bulletin's workers were gathered in order to determine if the design is able to fit the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile. However, the measurement of the current workstation is not enough to fit everyone. In order to improve the current workstation, ergonomic principle and standards were used to design a workstation that incorporates the anthropometric measurements of the workers. The measurement of the table width, table depth and keyboard height of the current workstation was altered. The keyboard height of the proposed workstation was decreased from 71cm to 65.59cm and 2-6cm was added to the table width. A total of 10 participants were randomly selected to test the workstation. From the 10 participants, 9 of them has a passing RULA score and only one failed. The proposed workstation yielded an average RULA score of 2.10 coming from a failing RULA score of 5.03, which is not acceptable. On the other hand, the proposed solution in the environmental human factors component, particularly on glare, has been able to drastically reduced the luminance levels of viewing field of the workers and has been able to meet the acceptable luminance threshold level of 1500 cd/m². The installation of roller blinds decreased the luminance level below 300 cd/m² which is 80% lower than the 1500 cd/m² acceptable threshold. The noise level inside Manila Bulletin is relatively high. The sound level in an open plan layout must be only between the ranges of 35-45 decibels. However, the sound level of the current workstation has an average range of 57.81-63.1 decibels which is high. The research study conducted an experiment where polyurethane foam is used to decrease the sound level. After using the polyurethane foam with the proposed workstation, the sound level decreased to 51.36-56.06 decibels. The proposed workstation did not meet the ergonomic standard of an open plan layout. However, it decreased the sound level of the current workstation where the chances of having noise related problems were decreased. The proposed workstation improved the workers' comfort and reduced overall pain by 61.54%. The new workstation was specially designed for the centralized newsroom. After replacing the current workstation, Manila Bulletin will experience an ergonomic friendly office where risk and injury are prevented. The proposed workstation will improve the current performance of the writers and editors because they are more comfortable with their working environment compared from before. This study showed the importance on the application of ergonomics in evaluating the current workstation to come up with an effective proposed workstation. The proposed workstation did not only improve on all areas but it also decrease the risk of having office related injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders or simply known as MSDs.