The impact of a participatory ergonomics intervention: the value of involvement

ABSTRACT

This article presents the implementation of a participatory ergonomics (PE) approach in a multinational company in the northern side of Italy, aiming to improve ergonomics, well-being and production outcomes. The methodology used is based on the creation of a multi-disciplinary team to provide and discuss ergonomics’ solutions according to the physical problems of the workers involved and better manage the re-introduction of the workers in the line of production. The study consists of a longitudinal analysis before and after the plant redesign and the PE intervention. Some psychosocial variables as job satisfaction, perceived fatigue, perceived usefulness, repetitiveness, occupational safety and company attention to safety have been monitored to verify the impact of the PE intervention. The results show how the PE intervention positively influences the perception of workers regarding the level of fatigue and repetitiveness and increasing job satisfaction, usefulness and occupational safety with a positive impact on productivity.

KEYWORDS:

• Participatory ergonomics
• psychosocial factors
• workers reintegration
• workers involvement

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to Electrolux Italia SpA and to G&G consulenze for the opportunity and the participation in the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sara Cervai

Sara Cervai is an assistant professor in Work and Organizational Psychology at University of Trieste Italy.

Federica Polo

Federica Polo is a PhD candidate in Industrial Management at University of Vaasa Finland.