Work design in automotive assembly to prevent work-related limitations on worker performance

Below you will find a short summary of the project. For further information please contact the project managers via the contact button on the right side.

Background

Automation technologies cannot currently replace the flexibility and problem-solving skills of humans. Manual automotive assembly therefore requires human labor, both now and in the foreseeable future. Employees whose work performance is limited, for example due to musculoskeletal disorders, present automotive companies with economic and personnel planning challenges due to their reduced performance and limited deployment options.

Aim

The aim of the project is to identify factors in automotive assembly that increase the risk of work-related performance limitations in the human workforce in the long term. Based on this, design measures to eliminate or reduce these factors are to be derived. The design measures will be evaluated in the field.

Method

In order to identify relevant performance-limiting factors, explorative observations and surveys in an automotive assembly plant will be carried out based on a literature review. Hypothesized correlations between identified factors and performance prerequisites are to be examined using a questionnaire study.

Possible design measures will be compiled and evaluated by means of literature research and surveys. Selected measures will be implemented and evaluated in terms of their potential to prevent performance impairment.

Expected Results

  • Automotive assembly-specific compilation of factors restricting work performance in the human workforce
  • Recommendations for action to prevent work-related restrictions on work performance among employees in automotive assembly