Making Life Meaningful

Abstract

Ergonomic solutions for the workplace are important for any employee but especially important for workers with disabilities. This project investigates the workstations of physically and cognitively impaired employees at a state funded work program. Two workstations, a sorting station for coat hangers and a sealing station for flatware packages, were analyzed for inefficiencies and ergonomic hazards. The hanger station was redesigned using anthropometric principles and workstation aids to improve the employees’ capability to distinguish and sort the coat hangers. The positioning of the hangers was modified to improve the efficiency of the employees’ movements by reducing reach lengths. The sealing station was altered by providing a new platform for aligning flatware packages and installing a lever to control the sealer such that the lever motion conforms better to reduce errors and force requirements. Field tests were performed and the redesigns were proven successful in improving the productivity of the employees.