Chapter 1

Introduction

In accordance with the regulation of the government agency which is the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration, different commerce, trade, and type of work reflects evident

cases of employees suffering from Musculoskeletal Disorders.  This refers to injuries or

disorders that directly affect human muscles, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, joints, cartilage,

spinal discs, and nerves. Being exposed to work that requires tremendous effort or either having

the need to work uncomfortably such as lifting heavy objects, reaching, overhead, bending,

unease position while working, pushing, and pulling heavy loads are some of the considered

factors that cause humans to acquire Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs).

Performing these mentioned activities in a repetitive manner is another factor considered to

increase the probability for someone to obtain this disease. 

Musculoskeletal Disorders in a work-related manner are among the most frequently

reported causes of either lost or restricted time of work. Based on an article provided by the

Orthopedic Associates of Central Maryland Division (2019), common types of this disorder

include the following: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendinitis, Rotator Cutt Injuries (affects the

shoulders), Epicondylitis (affect the elbow), Trigger Finger, and Muscle Strains and low back

injuries. In a study presented by Bevin (2015), the decrease in productivity rate, disability, and

absence from work caused by sickness across EU member states is part of the economic impact

presented by WMSDs. Statistical data supports that Musculoskeletal Diseases hold a great

impact on the visible changes in the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) resulting in a change

as high as 2%. In order to solve this problem, the integration of Ergonomics in assessing all the
viable factors in a workplace or workflow process will be one of the most effective ways to

assess the situation and form resolution.

In the Cambridge Dictionary, ergonomics refers to ‘the scientific study of people and

their working conditions, especially done in order to improve effectiveness’. Regardless of the

industry size of a company, the intervention of Ergonomics in a company’s system makes jobs

easier and the workforce safer. In support of OSHA’s statement, Ergonomics fits a job in

preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in any type of workplace, especially in high-risk and

diverse industries. The application of Ergonomics has been proven to be effective in reducing the

risk of acquiring or developing MSDs.

Furniture plays a vital part in the environment and human learning. It is as important as

equipment, buildings, and other learning resources. Furniture shops are widely seen in every

town, we could say that this furniture shops have been around us for a long decade now. In the

Philippines, Mandaue is the Furniture Capital. There is no doubt that furniture shops have grown

with the people. In Lipa City, their fair amount of furniture shops can be seen tall around the

town. Most of the household in the Philippines has at least one furniture designed by the creative

and hard-working carpenters. With their hard work in designing and providing the people the

furniture they need, it is fitting to address the different challenges the carpenters face in building

different furniture. The researchers would like to dive in to the process involve in creating the

reliable furniture. 

Background of the Study

Furniture shops has been around for a very long time. The elegant and unique crafts of

talented and hardworking carpenters have been present to every Filipino household. Ranging
from chairs, bed frames, cabinets, dining set and living room sala set are the proof that showcase

the creativity of the carpenters. One of the furniture shops that offers this type of services is the

Inch Furniture located at Pinagtong-ulan Lipa City, Batangas. This business is owned by the sole

proprietor Mr. Edmund Ventura. Inch Furniture has been producing a high-quality furniture for

more than twenty (20) years. It has been established in 2001. The business’ carpenters can do

any design or furniture the customers desire.  As of the moment, the there are five (5) people

working for Mr. Ventura. His workers comprise of painter,  two wood cutters, sander, and one

designated for wood putty. Usually, the wood material used by the business circulates to four

types of woods: Mahogany, Madre de Cacao, Jackfruit and Ayangao depending to the

requirement of the customers. Inch Furniture’s workplace is quite spacious but very messy.

There is sawdust everywhere and some loose nails can be seen everywhere but above all this,

one can notice that the working condition of the carpenters are not very ideal. Some of the

process in making the furniture requires long hours of excessive slouching and lifting of heavy

materials. The researchers conducted this study to hopefully aid the carpenters with the problems

they encounter in building furniture. 

Statement of the Problem

There are a lot of  risk factors present on the work environment at Inch Furniture shop

that may lead to work related musculoskeletal diseases (WMSDs), These risks would not only

compromise the abilities of the workers but also put the workers health at risk.

This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the different tasks performed at Inch Furniture.

2. What are the basic requirements in wood furniture making in terms of:
 1. Machine

2. Materials 

3. Manpower

3. What ergonomic challenges are encountered in the existing workstation of the Inch

furniture?

4. What improvements may be proposed to address these challenges?

5. What are the significant effects of the improvement in reducing WMSD?

Scope and Limitation of the Study 

This study aims to provide insight to the process of manufacturing furnitures at Inch

Furniture in Pinagtong-Ulan Lipa City, Batangas. Reserachers will be performing assessments to

the workers using different ergonomic tools in order to identify  possible causes of  workers’

strains that may lead to WMSDs

The study is limited to focus on the process of manufacturing different furniture such as

chairs and bed frames. Furthermore, the process is limited from the cutting of woods to

varnishing/ painting of the furniture.

Research Framework

There are various factors that must be examined in order for the research to be reliable

and transparent. The Illustration shows the Input, Process, and Output. These will serve as the

study's foundation in accomplishing the study. The process shows what are the necessary tools,

techniques, or methods used by the researchers to analyze the current situation and solve the

problem in order to achieve its goals. 

 INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Knowledge in:  Reba Assessment - a tool used for   Ergonomic

 Profile of the evaluating the workers on the risk of Workstation for the
employees in at having Work-related Musculoskeletal workers of Inch
Inch Furniture disorders (WMSDs) Furniture
 Safety engineering  Anthropometric Measurement.
 Knowledge in Measuring the workers for designing           
WMSD. a suitable ergonomic chair  
 Current work at the  OWAS
inch furniture. 

 RULA

Definition of Terms

Here are the lists of terms with their meanings which may help the readers to fully

understand the study.

Anthropometry.   is the science that defines physical measures of a person’s size, form, and

functional capacities.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a

narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of your hand. The

numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand are one of its symptoms. 

Epicondylitis (affects the elbow). is a painful condition that occurs when tendons in your elbow

are overloaded, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.

Ergonomics. referred to as human factors. It’s specifically a process that includes a disciplined

scientific study that coordinates with the learning process of human interactions with products,

machines or equipment, environment, and processes or systems.

Muscle Strains.  is an injury to a muscle or a tendon. Minor injuries may only overstretch a

muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these

tissues

Musculoskeletal Diseases. Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are injuries and disorders that

affect the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system 

Rotator Cutt Injuries (affects the shoulders). is a group of muscles and tendons that surround

the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of

the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens

with use of the arm away from the body.

Tendinitis. is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendon is the thick fibrous cords that attach

to the bone. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. It is said to be common

around your shoulders, elbows, wrist, knees and heels. 

Trigger Finger. is a condition in which one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. It

occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the

affected finger.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Diseases (WMSDs). group of painful disorders of muscles,

tendons, and nerves that occur due to work activities

Significance of this Study

 Generally, this study focuses on how to limit the chance or probability of workers

acquiring Musculoskeletal Diseases in their workplace. The result of this research will provide a

great advantage in terms of the company’s welfare, as well as for their workers or employees.

Ergonomics will provide improvement for their overall production, removing risk factors that

will lead to a better performance of their workers.

As the proponent, this research will let us gain relevant knowledge and learning

experience as we apply all the factual information we’ve gathered within the four walls room.

This will create a strong foundation that will be useful as we start venturing into our profession.

To the academe, this research will enclose relevant information regarding the process of

creating ergonomically designed chairs that may be helpful in terms of classroom organization.

In correlation to the school needs, gathered and presented information in this research can be

used as a reference for the school’s project intended to improve the school facilities e.g. student

chairs

To the students, this research will be a helpful reference for their study and further

academic research needs. This will help them have a better understanding in terms of the

application or integration of Ergonomics.

To the future researchers, the information enclosed in this study can stand as their guide

and reference for their future research or studies. This study will provide them an opportunity to

expand their knowledge that will create an impact to their future development. 
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter contains the ideas, the completed thesis, the generalization, the findings, the

techniques, and other information. Those who have been included in this chapter will benefit

from familiarizing themselves with the knowledge that is relevant and similar to the current

studies.

Conceptual Literature

Methods Engineering

Applied to any enterprise requiring human effort, methods engineering is defined as a

comprehensive close review of all direct and indirect operations for improvement that makes

work easier to execute while also enabling work to be completed in less time with a lower

investment per unit of work produced. Also referred to as "process improvement," it is the

development of a technique to increase production per unit of time while simultaneously

reducing overall unit expenses.

Ergonomics

Is a branch of science that tries to figure out what people can and can't do and then use

that information to make it easier for people to use products, systems, and environments.

Ergonomics is the study of how to make workplaces and environments safer and less likely to
hurt people. So, as technology changes, we need to make sure that the tools we use for work,

rest, and play are made for our bodies.

https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/683/safety-engineering-health-safety-and-environment

Safety Engineering

Accident prevention, lowering the risks that are associated with human error, and

obtaining safety benefits from designed systems and designs are some of the primary focuses of

safety engineering, which is a subfield of engineering. In manufacturing, public works, and

product design, it is utilized to make safety an essential element of operations and is connected

with industrial engineering and system engineering. The objective of safety engineering is to

control risk by lessening or removing it completely, depending on the situation. It is also

intended to lower the rate of failures, and even if they do occur, they are not considered to be

life-threatening. In most cases, the process of safety engineering starts during the design phase of

a system or product development.

Ergofellow Software

The Ergofellow Software is an ergonomic tool used in the field of occupational safety

and health to reduce workplace hazards and increase workplace efficiency. This software

program contains different checklists and ergonomic assessments, such as image analysis and the

Reba score sheet, which will be utilized in the study.

Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

The Rapid Entire Body Assessment, also known as REBA, is a tool used to evaluate the

risk of musculoskeletal disorders, also known as MSDs, related to specific actions that are
performed within a profession. It is a screening tool for the entire body that uses a methodical

process to evaluate the biomechanical and postural loads that are placed on the body. Because it

is uncomplicated, quick, and needs very little equipment (just a pen and some paper), this tool

makes it easy to carry out several evaluations for each work or assignment. The REBA is

adaptable enough to be used for evaluating anything, as it provides a comprehensive assessment

of the entire body.

https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/6683/rapid-upper-limb-assessment-rula

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)

The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool is used to determine the ergonomic risk

factors that are related to upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Upper-limb MSDs

include injuries or pain in the joints, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The RULA tool

assesses the level of risk that is posed to employees as a result of their continuous engagement in

postures and muscular activities that have been demonstrated to be associated with the

development of strain injuries. For the purpose of this review, a score between one and seven

will need to be evaluated, with a lower number indicating that no action is required and a larger

score indicating that immediate action is required.

Ovako Working posture Assessment System (OWAS)

Nordic-Based Questionnaire

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/anthropometry/default.html

Anthropometry
 Anthropometry is the branch of science that determines the size, shape, and functional

capacity of a person based on their physical measurements. Anthropometric measurements, when

applied to the prevention of occupational injuries, are used to study the interaction of workers

with tasks, tools, machines, vehicles, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This is done in

particular to determine the degree of protection against potentially hazardous exposures, whether

they are acute or chronic.

https://managementation.com/what-is-motion-study/

Motion Study

Motion Study is a systematic procedure to identify the most effective way to accomplish

a task by observing how the worker or equipment moves. According to Gilbreath, it is the

scientific study of reducing wastage caused by unnecessary motions

https://businessjargons.com/work-measurement.html

Work Measurement

Work measurement is defined as the implementation of a series of techniques designed to

find out the work content, of a particular task or activity, by ascertaining the amount of time

necessary for a qualified worker to perform the task at a predetermined performance level. These

techniques are designed to find out the work content, of a particular task or activity, in order to

determine the work content.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559512/

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)

 Musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints,

muscles, and connective tissues. These illnesses are among the most expensive and

debilitating to treat in the United States because they can cause patients to experience

discomfort and a loss of function (USBJI, 2014a). According to the definition provided

by the Social Security Administration (SSA), disorders of the musculoskeletal system are

conditions that may be the result of inherited, congenital, or acquired pathologic

processes. Infectious, inflammatory, or degenerative processes, traumatic or

developmental events, or neoplastic, vascular, or toxico-metabolic illnesses can all lead to

impairments (SSA, 2008).

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/rmirsi.html

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)

A range of painful conditions that can affect muscles, tendons, and nerves are referred to

as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Some examples of this include tension

neck syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tendinitis. When it comes

to establishing methods for the prevention of injuries, many health and safety organizations focus

solely on musculoskeletal conditions that manifest themselves gradually and are brought on by

an excessive amount of stress placed on the components listed above. Injuries to the muscles,

tendons, and nerves that occur as a result of accidents are not regarded to constitute WMSDs and

are instead evaluated on their own. On the other hand, there are institutions like the European

Agency for Safety and Health at Work that classify acute traumas and fractures as part of the

WMSD category.
https://ehs.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/ergo-awkward-posture.pdf

Awkward Posture

A body position that is not in a neutral posture is considered to have an awkward posture.

In ergonomics evaluations, this word is utilized quite frequently. When a portion of the body is

holding an awkward posture, the bones, muscles, and tendons in that area are not aligned in the

way that they would be normally. The likelihood of sustaining injuries to the musculoskeletal

system when working in an uncomfortable posture is increased. An abnormal movement or

positioning of the body is one of the defining characteristics of an awkward posture. Muscles are

unable to do their jobs effectively and a greater risk of damage is posed when work is carried out

in an uncomfortable posture. The utilization of awkward postures is required whenever an

individual is required to reach beyond the limits of their work reach zone, bend, or twist.

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-7909

Repetitive Motions

Due to the obvious nature of their work, farmers and gardeners frequently engage in

physical labor that demands motions that are performed in a repetitive manner. Injuries caused

by repetitive motion occur when the same movement is performed over and over again. The

actions of bending, twisting, gripping, and reaching are some examples. The injuries may also be

referred to as cumulative trauma disorder, abbreviated as CTD. Pain or other warning symptoms

may develop gradually over time, or they may occur suddenly in severe cases. It is possible for

many regions to be afflicted, but the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders, back, and

neck are the most commonly impacted. Do not disregard any intense or persistent pain,
regardless of where it is located in the body. These symptoms may progress to a more severe

state over time.

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/ccupational-health-stress-at-the-

workplace

Stress 

People are more likely to experience stress related to their jobs when they are confronted

with expectations and pressures at work that are mismatched to their knowledge and talents and

that challenge their capacity to manage. This can lead to increased levels of work-related stress.

Workplace stress can be brought on by a wide variety of factors, but it is frequently exacerbated

when employees believe they have little support from their superiors and colleagues as well as

little control over the procedures they engage in at work. There is a common misunderstanding

that stress is synonymous with either pressure or difficulty, and this misconception is

occasionally exploited as an excuse for ineffective management practices.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fatigue/default.html#:~:text=Fatigue%20has%20been

%20broadly%20described,which%20disrupt%20or%20shorten%20sleep.

Fatigue

A sense of weariness, tiredness, or loss of energy is one definition of fatigue. Another

general definition is "a lack of energy." It is usually connected with nonstandard work schedules,

such as night shift work and longer work hours, both of which interfere with or reduce the

amount of time spent sleeping in the workplace. Other elements in the job, such as stress,

physically or intellectually demanding duties, or working in hot settings, can also contribute to
fatigue. It can be caused by a variety of different things, and the ramifications of it go beyond

just making a person sleepy. Fatigue can cause a delay in reaction times, a reduction in attention

or concentration, a limitation in short-term memory, and impairment in judgment.

Extreme levels of weariness can impact any worker in any sector or industry, and the effects can

have severe repercussions for both the health and safety of workers. Workers' safety and health

can be improved by increasing their awareness of the dangers posed by fatigue-related incidents,

locating the factors that contribute to exhaustion, and developing ways to combat it.

Design for the User

Design for Maximum Population

Design for Minimum Population

Design for Adjustable Range

Design for the Average

Related Studies (SAFETY, ERGONOMICS, DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT)

The following are examples of research work that is related to the current subject and has

been compiled from a variety of research materials, including published and unpublished theses

as well as electronic resources.

Local Studies (result and findings)

http://www.ieomsociety.org/singapore2021/papers/189.pdf
 The research made by Crista Gem Polintang, entitled “Human Factors Engineering with

Focus on Kinematics of Handling Loads: A Basis for Ergonomic Design for Optimal Working

Conditions at Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Inc. Mrs Department” stated that In Industries, one

of the most common and serious causes of injuries is the handling of materials; the most

common type of injury is a strain in the low back region. The direct and indirect costs are quite

high, and the amount of human suffering caused is observable and quantifiable. To move objects

or keep them from moving needs the application of energy or force in the form of lifting,

lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or holding the object. It is necessary for the body to

generate the energy needed to complete these tasks, and that energy must then be transferred to

the environment in the form of force through time.

The task being too strenuous or involving awkward postures or movements, the working

environment lacking sufficient space, and having slippery, uneven, or unstable surfaces, are all

factors that increase the risk of injury. Other factors that increase the risk of injury include the

load being too heavy, too large, difficult to grasp, or unstable.

https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/files/final_submissions/1286

According to Jordan (1999) initially applied it to the ergonomics domain and proposed a

hierarchy of user needs in order to establish a constructive basis that can help to broaden and

extend the scope of ergonomics beyond usability in the product design process. This idea was

adapted from a hierarchy of human needs developed by Abraham Maslow (1970). When

combining a similar hierarchy of product requirements for user needs with a hierarchy of user

needs when engaging with products, a hierarchy of user needs was created.

http://www.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/APJMR-2015-3.4.3.11.pdf
 In the study by S. Mercado (2015) entitled “Ergonomic Design Measures on Work

Process and Workplace Layout in the Selected Structural and Fabrication Shops”, Ergonomics is

getting a lot of attention from a lot of different industries because it helps make workplaces safer

and easier to work in for employees while also increasing overall productivity and encouraging

continuous improvement in the organization. Also, this interest in applying ergonomic principles

to industrial workplaces and products is probably due to the fact that correlations have been

found between the way a workplace is designed and the worker's health and productivity. When

work is done, the parts of a working system, such as the worker, the equipment, the environment,

the task, and the organization, work together. Ergonomics tries to make sure that the way people

work is good for them.

https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/colleges/gcoe/academic-departments/industrial-engineering/

thesis-archive/an-ergonomic-design-for-philippine-taho-vendors-equipment-to-reduce-

musculoskeletal-disorder-2008/

In the study by Michelle Andrew (et. al 2008), entitled “An ergonomic design for

Philippine taho vendors’ equipment to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (2008)”, Due to

ergonomic concerns and potential work dangers, the new taho vendor apparatus was re-

engineered. No relief from MSDs and MSIs was sought with this design; rather, it was intended

to lessen the dangers the taho seller faces with current equipment. In order to assess the present

design, NIOSH performed a three-part requirements analysis, including the biomechanical,

physiological, and psychological elements. This three-way examination concluded that the

current design was not ergonomically developed. Design concepts and four options were

developed utilizing Pugh's approach of screening and selection to increase both load-carrying
and service procedure ergonomics. This option was made based on the above three-way analysis

and other variables like manufacturability, cost, bulkiness, or yoke span. The Bucket Stand

Design was chosen as the final design to be developed. Iterations were then carried out to

improve the design. Reevaluation was conducted to determine if the new Bucket Stand Design

was better than the original design. The use of the prototype necessitated a secondary needs

study. The prototype outperformed the current system in every way, be it biomechanical,

physiological, or psychological. Ultimately, a cost-benefit study comparing the current design to

a prototype tied together health benefits and expenses was utilized to make the decision. This

new design was also found to be superior in terms of cost-benefit to the current one.

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3841397

https://www.ilo.org/manila/areasofwork/safety-and-health-at-work/lang--en/index.htm

Accidents and diseases that occur at work are leading sources of human suffering and

death. The cost to the economy is significant due to the fact that around 2 million workers pass

away every year as a result of work-related accidents and diseases, and this number is continuing

to rise in spite of efforts to make headway. According to the study by Dexter Toyado (2021)

entitled “Health and Safety in the Construction Industry in Catanduanes, Philippines”, In the

construction industry, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is frequently ignored and

disrespected. The construction industry is widely recognized as one of the most hazardous in

terms of occupational health and safety. The federal government, acting through the Department

of Labor and Employment, has previously taken action to solve the issue by delivering training

courses on occupational safety and health to the employees of construction companies and to the

industry as a whole. However, the effort has not been even close to sufficient, as the number of

construction accidents that occur each year continues to dominate the whole industry. The
purpose of this study is to raise awareness of the importance of construction safety in

Catanduanes. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge on occupational

safety and health that workers in the construction business in Catanduanes possess. After

conducting a number of interviews and having interactions with workers at the construction site,

as well as evaluating the workers' responses, the researcher arrived at the final conclusion that

construction workers are aware of the rules and regulations regarding safety and health in

construction, but that they do not adhere to them and follow them. Workers readily state that the

reasons they are lax about adhering to safety and health measures are because they are

uncomfortable, because of beliefs, and because of bad habits.

Foreign Studies 

https://www.torontomu.ca/hfe/documents/neumann2004-phd-production-ergonomics.pdf

In the study by W. Patrick Neumann (2004) entitled “Production Ergonomics: Identifying

and Managing Risk in the Design of High-Performance Work Systems”, Poor ergonomics in

production systems can have a negative impact on performance and lead to musculoskeletal

disorders (MSDs), which are associated with a high economic burden for society as a whole,

businesses, and the individuals who suffer from them. The objective of this study is to present a

research trajectory through the problem space by identifying and quantifying workplace risk

factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), identifying how these risks relate to production

strategies, and developing an approach to integrating ergonomics into the regular development

work of companies.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/

331813073_Ergonomic_Impact_on_Employees'_Work_Performance

In the study by D Ravindran (2019) entitled “Ergonomic Impact on Employees’ Work

Performance”, Ergonomics focuses on the behavior and reactions of humans in relation to their

sitting, standing, and moving positions. It is generally agreed that ergonomics is both a

philosophical concept and a human approach to thinking. It finds applications in a wide variety

of fields, including aviation, sports, transportation, education, and entertainment equipment and

facilities at home, in public spaces, and in the workplace. The entire human population can reap

the benefits of well-designed ergonomics. It is generally accepted that ergonomics is a scientific

concept that is grounded in common sense; however, the utilization and application of

ergonomics may not be straightforward due to the fact that it must be designed for and used by a

diverse group of people, each of whom has their own unique perspective and set of preferences.

This makes it more difficult to design a system based on how it can be adapted to fit the needs of

its users.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/

331813073_Ergonomic_Impact_on_Employees'_Work_Performance

According to Smith (1997), the Ergonomics of the workforce is vital for better

performance of labors in the workplace, the phrase "ergonomics of the workforce" was used.

Despite the fact that Wilson (1995) stated that the management program that takes ergonomic

factors into consideration will involve working people in planning and controlling within the

work area in order to achieve the desired results in the work, it is important to note that this
statement is not entirely accurate. More et al(1996), program for ergonomics in the packing

business of red meat resulted in high levels of team member satisfaction across the board with

regard to all aspects of the work process. According to Narayan et al. (1993), the improvements

made in an assembly plant that involved medical devices recorded a reduction in accidents and

employee dissatisfaction when tools and machines were designed to avoid awkward postures,

wrists pains, and more standing positions, etc. with appropriate lighting and ventilation set up.

This led to a reduction in the number of accidents that occurred at the plant. Saari (1992) talked

about using a participative method to monitor garbage collection and management, as well as to

improve the safety culture in a workplace by taking ergonomic factors into account. In their

research, Lanoie and Tavenas (1997) came to the conclusion that a participatory ergonomics

program minimizes employee health disorders in packers warehouses that handle liquor cartons.

Training workers on ergonomics and finding solutions to problems with worker safety were both

vital in boosting labor efficiency.

Furthermore, in the study by Pragyan Mohanty (2014), entitled “Studies on Product

Design using Ergonomic Considerations”, It is possible to improve user efficiency, satisfaction,

and productivity by incorporating ergonomic considerations into the design of products,

machines, equipment, and components, as well as the workplace environment. The ergonomic

design takes into account the psychological and physical needs of the user. It is essential to

identify the appropriate design components in order to envision the product in a way that not

only satisfies the consumers but also decreases the risk of damage and weariness during extended

use. When it comes to the design of a product, both subjective and objective product

characteristics are essential considerations; however, the level of comfort experienced by the

end-user is of the utmost importance and can be quantified through an examination of the
continuous physical interaction that occurs between the product and the user. In addition to the

influential factors listed above, cognitive and behavioral information are taken into account

during the design stage of an ergonomically designed product. This is done with the goal of

improving the level of comfort experienced by the user as well as the overall aesthetic appeal of

the product.

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:990964/FULLTEXT01.pdf

According to the study by Rupesh Kumar (2006), entitled “Ergonomic Evaluation and

Design of Tools in Cleaning Occupation”, There are a variety of occupational and environmental

issues that can have an impact on the health of professional cleaners. Conditions that encourage a

variety of occupational diseases, such as musculoskeletal problems, are easily controlled in many

of the working situations in which cleaners are found. These environments include: Inappropriate

and poor working postures, lack of task variation, poor ergonomic design of workplaces, poor

design of cleaning tools, and work organization (such as long working hours, low salaries, and

awkward schedules) are all areas in which relatively simple interventions can significantly

reduce the rate of exposure to occupational disease. The biggest cleaning jobs were floor

mopping and wet dusting, according to a task analysis. Floor mopping took 35% of the time and

dusting 22%. Fixing the cables lowered floor mopping posture from 36% to 33%. Different body

part postures were studied and grouped into action types. Only mopping and dusting proportions

declined in test 1 (with cables on the floor). In test 2, after removing the cables from the floor,

the cleaning posture was examined and confirmed to be stable. One dusting observation (2%)

fell. In improved working conditions, cleaners had a better mopping posture than in unimproved

conditions. Kogi et al. (2003) improved small businesses in the Philippines at a cheap cost,

reducing work-related discomfort and musculoskeletal problems.

 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/

277009529_Safety_Measures_in_Wood_Processing_An_Important_Component_for_the_Entrep

reneur_-_The_Case_of_a_Local_Furniture_Industry_in_Ghana

In the study by Sylvia Adu et. al (2015) entitled “Safety Measures in Wood Processing:

An Important Component for the Entrepreneur - The Case of a Local Furniture Industry in

Ghana”, As a core part of  health and engaged workforce to the social and economic well-being

of any industry, it is essential to take precautions against occupational risks in order to protect

workers. Woodworkers are exposed to many hazards at their workplace, the majority of which

the workers are unaware of. This increases the risk of adverse health effects for woodworkers,

which can range from cancerous to non-cancerous conditions, bacterial, viral, and chemical

infections, as well as physical injury and accidents. It is acceptable to state that every job

possesses some form of risk or hazard. Those in the informal economy are far more prone than

workers in formal economies to be subjected to hazardous working conditions, lower safety and

health standards, and environmental dangers, and as a consequence, to suffer from ill health or

injuries as a result of these exposures. In addition to this, the majority of informal workers have

scant or no knowledge of the dangers they are exposed to and the steps they should take to

protect themselves from them.

Synthesis 

A form of the research process involves comparison and contrast as well as classification

and division At its most fundamental level, synthesis involves bringing together two or more

sources and looking for common themes among them. The researcher will search for connections

between various materials in order to make your point during the synthesis process.
Local and Foreign Studies

The factors that increase the risk of injury were identified in the research conducted by

Crista Gem Polintang. These factors include the workload being too strenuous or involving

awkward postures or movements, the loading being too large, difficult to grasp, or unstable, and

the working environment lacking sufficient space and having a slippery, uneven, or unstable

surface. It is comparable to the current study in that the objective of this one is to reduce the

number of injuries, pains, and musculoskeletal problems that are caused by work.

The research conducted by Michelle Andrew and her colleagues, which was published

under the title "An ergonomic design for Philippine taho vendors' equipment to reduce

musculoskeletal disorder (2008)," focuses on particular aspects of ergonomics that are

significant, such as the use of hand tools and service procedure ergonomics. This study also

covers the topic of upper limb problems, as well as the fundamentals of anthropometry, and it

provides several practical case studies to highlight the benefits of following excellent ergonomic

principles, both to people's health and to businesses' bottom lines.

Jordan (1999), initially applied it to the ergonomics domain and proposed a hierarchy of

user needs in order to establish a constructive basis that can help to broaden and extend the scope

of ergonomics beyond usability in the product design process. This was done in order to establish

a foundation that can help broaden and extend the scope of ergonomics beyond usability. This

concept was taken from Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, which he established in

the 1940s (1970). A hierarchy of user needs was developed by merging an existing hierarchy of

product requirements for user needs with an existing hierarchy of user needs while interacting

with products. This resulted in the creation of the hierarchy of user needs.
 The study by Rupesh Kumar (2006), entitled “Ergonomic Evaluation and Design of

Tools in Cleaning Occupation” focused on the development of a Cleaning Tool to be used in

comfort rooms. Merely achieving the goal of inventing a cleaning tool that is capable of

providing improved productivity, particularly in the Cleaning Occupation, was the purpose of

this study. The efficiency of the cleaning process was evaluated by the researcher using

ergonomics. The researchers were able to identify the issue that the company was having as a

result of this. The implementation of product design that adheres to ergonomic principles led to

an increase in the productivity of workers, an improvement in the utilization of equipment, the

conservation of materials and energy, a reduction in the amount of human effort required, and

the advancement of organizational goals.

Furthermore, in the study by Pragyan Mohanty (2014), entitled “Studies on Product

Design using Ergonomic Considerations”, the researchers of the study and development design

to evaluate the condition of workers and came up with the design of a prototype that would

resolve the problem. The researchers conducted a motion and time study to compare the efficient

improved process with the current process. The application of REBA, SRMFA, and MGSI

helped the researchers to evaluate the condition of the workers in the current process and assess

the effectiveness of the developed prototype in eliminating the risk factors.

In the study by Sylvia Adu et. al (2015) entitled “Safety Measures in Wood Processing:

An Important Component for the Entrepreneur - The Case of a Local Furniture Industry in

Ghana”, it was found that the use of personal protective equipment received very little attention

from those present (PPE). When working, proper protective gear is required at all times. When

doing work that could expose workers to wood dust, personal protective equipment (PPE) must
be readily accessible and worn by workers. An N95 dust mask, goggles, or safety glasses with

side shields, gloves, safety footwear, and coveralls are all examples of personal protective

equipment that are appropriate for use in the processing of wood. The machines that were used

were identified as a significant risk factor. Many of the machines had become antiquated, and the

majority of their safety guards had been removed, or they were inoperable and covered in dust.

Nearly all of the workers on the factory floor pushed, lifted, or jacked heavy lumber onto the

work table while maintaining the same position. This caused stress to collect in their lower

backs, which led to discomfort. Administrative controls that involve changing the manner in

which workers perform their occupations or the times at which they do so, such as scheduling

work and rotating staff, should be implemented in order to limit exposure. According to Think

Safe, employees are more likely to make mistakes if they have been working long hours or for

extended periods of time without taking appropriate breaks. This increases the possibility that

employees will lose their concentration and react more slowly. The inability to concentrate can

be brought on by extreme heat and a lack of adequate ventilation.

According to the study by Dexter Toyado (2021) entitled “Health and Safety in the

Construction Industry in Catanduanes, Philippines”, managing risks in a reasonable manner in

the workplace is the biggest and most important thing that can be done to protect both employees

and a company. Strong leadership that includes your workers, managers, suppliers, contractors,

and customers is a characteristic of good health and safety management, and it's essential to a

healthy and safe workplace. When viewed from a global perspective, the promotion of health and

safety is also a vital component of the movement toward sustainable development. 

CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

         This chapter represents the methodology that will be used in the study. This

includes the research design, respondents of the study, data gathering instruments and

procedure that will help interpret the data and will serve as basis for proposed

improvement.

Research Design 

This study will be focused on improving the current workstations of the INCH
FURNITURES specifically in the process called (Sanding, and Finishing = wood putty) and
manual lifting that will prevent WSMD for occurring and further reduced human condition such
as fatigue and other risk factors. 
The researchers will use descriptive and developmental type of research in assessing the
impact of existing design of workstation among the employee’s performance and health. The
study will be beneficial in reducing the potential threats like WMSD. 
Descriptive research is used to create questionnaire in order to illustrate the current
problem. It involved gathering the primary data to determine the employee’s experiences in the
current design in the process of (SANDING and FINISHING) and the current problems they
have encountered.  
Developmental type of research design was also used because the researchers will come
up with the development of workstation in order to answer the problem of the company. 

Respondents of the Study 

The researchers will conduct the study at the Inch Furniture in Purok 1, Pinagtong-Ulan,
Lipa City. The primary respondents of the study would be the operators of the company. The
operators will be given questionnaires to assess the current practices perform in the Inch
Furniture. Researchers will focus on these workers since the current workstations are the target
for improvement. 
The researchers will also conduct anthropometric measurement, this will allow the
researchers to have a sufficient data to use in improving the current design of the workstation in
Inch furniture. 

Data Gathering Instrument 

In this study, some of the ergonomic risk assessment tools will be used to identify the
ergonomic risk factors associated in the current process at the Inch Furniture shop. The
assessment methods will measure the behaviors on the job like measuring the interaction
between the performance of a person and tools/machine and the presence of risk factors in the
workplace. 

QUESTIONNAIRE 
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of series of questions and other
prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents that are often designed for
statistical analysis of the responses. Information gathered will be analyze to determine what type
of worker groups or workstations should be put into the consideration for further analysis.
Nordic questionnaire. It consists of structured, forced, binary or multiple-choice variants and
can be used as self-administered questionnaires or in interviews. It is standardized
questionnaire used to answer “Do musculoskeletal troubles occur in a given population, and if
so, what parts of the body are they localized?’
ERGOFELLOW Software 
The Ergofellow Software is an ergonomic tool use in the field of occupational safety and
health in order to reduce occupational risks and increase productivity. This software includes
ergonomic assessment such as image analysis, Reba score sheet, and other checklist that will be
used in the study. 
RULA 
This tool is used to identify ergonomic risk factors associated with upper-limb
musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs). This tool measures the amount of risk among workers due to
constant exposure to postures and muscle activities that have been shown to contribute strain
injuries. 
REBA 
This is an ergonomic assessment tool that uses a systematic process to evaluate whole
body postural MSD and risk associated with job task. A worksheet will be used to evaluate the
required or selected body posture, forceful exertions, type of movement or action, repetition and
coupling.
OWAS 
This is used to identify the most common postures for the back (4 postures), arms (3
postures) and (7 legs), and the weight of the load handled in (3 categories). Whole posture is
described by these body parts with a four-digit code. These 252 postures have been classified to
four action categories indicating needs for ergonomic changes. The observations are made as
“snapshots” and sampling has usually been with constant time intervals.

Evaluation of Anthropometric Data (use of Z-scores) 

The anthropometric data will be used in developing the appropriate dimension of the
workstation, researchers will use the Z-score or also called as normal distribution in terms of:
  Standardizing the measures
 Reference of Population
 Designing and developing an ergonomic workstation
Z-scores can be also called as “standard score”. The z-scores transformation is beneficial
when seeking the relative standings of different measures like height from boys compared to
girls with the help of different means and SDs. Z-score tends to be informative whenever the
distribution is referred as normal. Every normal distribution, the area from the curve between the
mean and z-score value corresponds to a fixed portion. 
In order to use the z-score the data needed such as anthropometric data will gathered by the
researches. 
Mean the average wherein every quantity average has a corresponding weight. Statically,
mean is calculated using the following formula;

x-bar= XN
Where:
x-bar = the symbol of mean or average
      = the symbol for summation
X      = each score           
N      = Number of
scores                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                  

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers conducted visits on Inch Furniture shop to be familiar with the nature of
operation inside the company. The researchers conducted informal interview to the workers to
identify the current problems they are experiencing in the current design for their work. The
proponents reviewed the current methods and measurements of performing the activity. Adapted
questionnaire and other check list are used to determine the information of the respondents,
postural stress experience by the workers, current practices in (sanding and finishing),
workstations evaluation and risk factors involve in the INCH Furniture shop. 
The researchers will assess the existing workstation in process of (sanding and finishing),
this will lead to improving the existing workstation. For anthropometric measurements,
researchers meter stick will allow to assess the workers and the workplace. The anthropometric
values were mathematically solved to determine the range of numerical values which will be
used in the basis of designing process of the workstation. The researchers will utilize software’s
such as AutoCAD to create the proposed design of workstation and simulate it. Materials
specifications will be also given a consideration in creating the prototype. 
 All the data will be used to analyze the current situation in order to improve the present
condition of the company and achieve the desired workstation to reduce the risk factors in the
process of Inch Furniture shop.

CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the data gathered from the observation and interview of the
current production process, the layout, and proposing the improve process of the said company.
This chapter also provides the results and final output of the researchers that developed.

1. Process/task performed in INCH furniture

TABLE 1

PROCESS IMAGE DESCRIPTION

Pre-cutting The raw materials

(wood) are cut both
sides that forms a
rectangular shape.
 In this process the Table
cleaner is used to equal
Table Cleaner the sides of the pre-cut
wood in the angle of 45
degrees.

In this process the wood

is cut to their
Cutting of wood
appropriate size for
tables, chairs, or bed.

Circular This process allows the

wood to be cut in
different sizes/design
appropriate to chairs,
tables, or bed.
 This process makes a
hole to the wood for
Drill
preparing the parts in
assembling process

All the parts of the

Assemble
wood are assembled.

Wood putty/filler This process involves in

masilya seeking imperfections
in the product. Using
the wood putty/filler
will fill the
imperfections, such as
holes that is prior to
wood finishing.
 The process of sanding
is used to even out the
rough edges and remove
all kinds of impurities.
Liha The process of sanding
will result a smooth and
dry surface of the wood.

This is the last

process/step done by the
workers, it serves as a
protective coating for
Paint/Varnish wooden surfaces that
enhances the
appearance of the
wooden furniture.

The table shows the process of Inch furniture. The first step of the process is
precutting the wood to shape it rectangularly, the second step is making sure that the
wood is smooth to its sides that requires the table cleaner to do it, the third step cutting
the wood to their specific shape and sizes, and the fourth step is putting the holes in the
wood so it would be ready in assembly. After the holes has been made, it will start to
assemble all the part of the wood. The next process would be putting polituff and
hardener to the wood to fill the small holes of it. The next process would be sanding, this
process requires to sand manually but seldom use with a machine. And the last process
would be painting/varnishing the wood.

TABLE 2

TOOLS / EQUIPMENT IMAGE DESCIPTION

This machine
allows the wood to
1. Table cleaner have a smooth
surface on its sides.

2. Vanso This machine cut

the wood in straight
to their respective
sizes in terms of
 length and width.

This machine
provides holes in
the wood that
allows the pieces to
3. Drill
be assembled and
also to have their
designs.

This machine is
used for cutting the
wood for various
4. Circular design such as
circular and curve
patterns.

5. Sandpaper Sandpaper and sand

machine are used to
soften the rough
surface and edges
of the wood. This
allow the furniture
to be smooth.
 It is used to fill the
gaps, dents, flaws
and holes of the
6. Hardener & wood resulting to a
Polituff smooth surface
prior to top coat
painting

This allows the

worker to put the
varnish easily to the
7. Paint wood furniture.

8. Hammer A hammer is used

for pounding and
removing of nails
 in the wood.

nails are used for

fastening one or
9. Nail more objects to
each other.

It is an easy to use,
water-based
10. Stikwel adhesive, with
holding strength.

11. Compressor
 It is used in
spreading the
hardener and
12. Paleta
polituff to the
wood.

It is used to cut
little wood cuts like
edges. This also
used as carving of
13. Grinder
wood and
smoothening
straight surface.

Hand Saw are used

to cut pieces of
14. Hand Saw wood into different
shapes.

15. Plunge wood It is used in the

Router process of drilling
that puts a hole to
the wood.
The figure 2 shows the tools and machine used in processing the wood furniture
of the Inch Furniture.

Table 3 manpower

Process Manpower

Pre-Cutting 1

Table Cleaner - Assemble 1

Masilya 1

Sanding/ Pagliliha 1
 Paint/Varnish 1

Table 3 shows the manpower of every process. The process of table cleaner –
assemble required one manpower since these processes will require the right size and
shapes of the wood.

Table 4. Risk Factors that workers encountered that can lead to work-related
musculoskeletal disorders?
.