Manual material handling in an automotive testing department using work movement task analysis

Abstract

Manual material handling (MMH) has become a big concern recently in the automotive testing department. Several medical leave absenteeism was reported while bodily pain and the number of Social Security Organization (SOCSO) claimed have also increased. MMH activities involve manual movement, such as manual lifting, lowering, carrying, or even pushing and pulling loads. In this study, there are three objectives, first is to identify the risk of improper manual material handling, second to analyze the risk of manual material handling and finally to propose a manual material handling solution to the automotive testing department. To achieve the objectives, a survey with a sample population of 70 employees was conducted. Apart from that, a risk assessment was conducted to assess ten selected work activities using Work Movement Task Analysis (WMTA). The data obtained was analyzed to assist in proposing guidelines to reduce the risk of MMH activities. The goal of this study is to propose guidelines or safe work procedures on MMH to the management.