A Linear Programming Model for Workstation Adequacy

Abstract

Workstation design can have a profound effect on an individual's health. Most product designs are based on a 5^th percentile “reach” and a 95^th percentile “clearance”. These designs quite often fail to match a person's body measurements since the dimensions of each body link are not exactly the same x^th percentile. Even with an adjustable workstation, the user has a dilemma as to what adjustment to make for each adjustable parameter as each adjustment depends on the previous adjustment and the potential number of adjustments is somewhat infinite. This paper focuses on a methodology to achieve a postural fit for a given workstation with an adjustable table, chair, and footrest. The least stressful and somewhat comfortable postures were first determined from the literature. Thereafter, a Linear Programming model was developed to capture these mappings as mathematical constraints and solved. The model was validated with an adjustable workstation and a few participants.

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