Assessing the effectiveness of integrating ergonomics and sustainability: a case study of a Mexican maquiladora

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations defined sustainable industrialization as one of 17 sustainable development goals. In this article, an analysis is performed to assess the opportunities for ergonomics to contribute toward sustainability in the manufacturing industry. To that effect, a case study was carried out in a maquiladora of electronic components in the northwestern region of Mexico. The investigation was developed in four stages: (a) diagnosis; (b) planning; (c) implementations; (d) verification of results. Barriers found during each stage are presented. Finally, a discussion of the obtained results is provided, and areas of opportunity for programs or actions to prevent health risks are identified.

Keywords:

• ergonomics
• sustainability
• manufacturing

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Angel Flores for his support in gaining access to the maquiladora analyzed in this case study. Thanks are extended to Miguel Tequida, Francia Valenzuela, Reyna Casas and Guadalupe M. for helping with data collection and project tasks and to Iram Velazquez for his support in creating the graphics. Finally, the authors thank all those anonymous individuals who helped in any way during the elaboration of this investigation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

N.E. Munguía Vega http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2352-3165

L.E. Velazquez Contreras http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3370-7761