Ergonomics: The Contribution of Movement at Work

Abstract

This work has as central objective to tell the results of actions of laborer gymnastic developed in the Simon Braun company, Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil. Implanted in september/97 and implemented along the last eighteen months, the gymnastics makes part of the project “Ergonomics: a multidisciplinary vision“, that contemplates several actions that seek life quality and health at work. In the implementation, the methodology used, after detailed study about the company and of its culture, consisted of interview, sensitize lectures, questionnaires, lifestyle and systematic observation of work positions. The subjects were all the collaborators of the company above mentioned. After interview with responsible professionals of production area, human resources and administrators of the company, they were lifted up referring data about work process and politics of the company. There were also observed work places, verifying the rhythm of task execution, shifts and workdays. In continuity, sensitize lectures were accomplished with directors, executives, bosses, supervisors and all the collaborators, moment in that they answered questionnaires, objectifying to investigate personal and family aspects, habits and lifestyle, and activities of the daily out of company's atmosphere. The phase of systematic observation, which had as instrument filming the work positions, was followed looking for to investigate movements and postures adopted by the collaborators, as well as, eventual posture alterations. Finished up the diagnosis, broke for sub-project Laborer's Gymnastic implantation, whose practice represented a change in the organizational company and it counted with the commitment of all the hierarchical levels and the multidisciplinary team. The activity of laborer gymnastic consisted of lengthening, flexibility, muscular resistance and balance exercises. Among the results there are the largest integration of the group, larger flexibility and coordination, but the most significant was reduction of work accidents, having been registered a period from april/97 to março/98 with no accident occurrence. We concluded highlighting the importance of exercises programs in re-establishment of individual's self-esteem, as well as of behaviors and healthier habits. We stood out, still, that the work atmosphere is a space privileged for promotion actions and health prevention.

AREA: Participatory ergonomics

TYPE OF TECHNICAL PROPOSALS: case study papers