A study on foundry men's worklife and work efficiency

• Main Author: Gallardo, Evelyn E.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Life span; Productive; Efficiency; Industrial; Foundrymen; Industrial safety; Engineering Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2683
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study gives emphasis on the importance of improved working conditions of foundry workers. The study was conducted to various foundry shops within Metro Manila. A survey was conducted to determine the rate of foundry workers' occupational injury. As a result, there exists a high incidence rate of occupational injury, which was also validated by the data from the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics. An analysis was conducted to determine the particular workstation in foundry operation that requires ergonomic study by pinpointing which workstation incurred greater cost in relation to workers' injury. Result of the analysis showed that pouring workstation needs immediate attention. Human Engineering, Anthropometry and Ergonomics were used to improve the fit between worker and his tasks. Statistical analysis, like ANOVA, was utilized to establish the relationship between two workers' body dimensions who are assigned in pouring molten metal on the assumption that a mismatch in heights contributes to worker's occupational injury. Results of the analysis showed statistically significant differences occur in age, stature, shoulder height, tibial height and knuckle height of the two workers. Redesigning of pouring ladle is the recommendation of the proponent to overcome these differences. Further testing followed to verify and note any improvements. Solicitation of worker's feedback through interview was done. The redesigned pouring ladle has proven to reduce muscular strain since the workers attained greater control in handling the ladle. A survey was also conducted to determine the effect of the weight of pouring ladle on workers' efficiency and comfort. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to test the significance of the differences between the workers' efficiency and comfort to the weights of the pouring ladle. The results obtained showed that the pouring ladle weighing more than 55 kgs. when filled provides discomfort to workers, thereby promoting inefficiencies. Limiting the pouring ladle to 55 kgs. will be more advantageous.An experimental study was also conducted to determine the effect of the distance of moulds from the furnace on the quality of metal castings. The study showed that as distance increases, the quantity of defective metal castings also increases. And as distance traveled by workers in pouring molten metal from furnace to moulds increases, the risk of injury is also high. A such, it would be advantageous to limit the distance of furnace to moulds.