Abstract
The concern of this paper is to describe a participatory ergonomics method for work improvement (kaizen) in terms of ergonomics. Ergonomic implications of Participatory Ergonomics are : (1) to participate in group discussion on identifying the factors of workload and problematic causes in quality and productivity, (2) to find a solution to these factors, and (3) to secure the quality of working life. For this purpose, participatory ergonomics has the following program : (1) to organize two teams, "the project committee" consisting of managers of personnel, production engineering, production management, safety and welfare divisions as well as the labor union, and the working group consisting of supervisors and all quality circles. The former has the role of strategic planning of work improvement and budget planning for conduction work improvement. The latter perform surveys of detrimental problems happening in the workplace and proposes solutions to the project committee. Both teams first learn ergonomics concerning physiological/psychological characteristics of human beings and how to decrease the workload from the viewpoint of ergonomics. The working group surveys, for instance, the working postures alongside the production lines and seeks the ergonomic factors forcing these bad postures. They measure the energy expenditure for perform the work and find the ergonomic countermeasure to lessen the workload. It is of importance to lead the participatory ergonomic outcome to develop the tools concerning participatory ergonomics. Regarding the present paper, we have developed (1) the Sociotechnical System Chart, (2) Job Redesign Diagnosis Assessment, (3) Working Posture Assessment, and (4) WPA Measurement Kit. The Sociotechnical System concept is an integration of human side and technology side in production lines and it presupposes incorporation of human development potential as well as autonomy in the workplace. The stories of work improvement in Daikin (an air-conditioner maker), Mitsubishi Motors (an engine production factory), Nissan Motors, and Nissan Diesel (a truck maker) are described here.
