Identification of Ergonomics Implementation Challenges Faced by Engineers in Malaysian Manufacturing Industries

The implementation of effective ergonomics programs worldwide has proven to enhance both work performance and worker well-being. However, in Malaysia, there is limited documentation on ergonomics practices in workplaces, with existing publications being relatively outdated and lacking recent updates from researchers. This study aims to identify and analyze the challenges faced by engineers in the Malaysian manufacturing industry when implementing ergonomics programs. The research involved a systematic literature review and interviews with twenty engineers experienced in ergonomics improvement initiatives. The thematic analysis of the literature highlighted four major challenges: 1) limited awareness, knowledge, education, and practical experience in operational ergonomics, 2) insufficient resources and management support, 3) inadequate technical support, and 4) the absence of specific standards or regulations within the legal framework. Additionally, the thematic analysis of interviews with engineers revealed four key challenges: 1) limited documentation and references for ergonomics, 2) restricted exposure and practical experience in ergonomics, 3) workers' resistant behaviors and attitudes towards ergonomics, and 4) delayed consideration of ergonomics during the design process. These findings provide valuable insights for engineers in the Malaysian manufacturing sector, offering guidance to address common challenges in implementing workplace ergonomics.

Ergonomics Implementation, Ergonomics Program, Engineers, Challenges

1. M. Leber, M. Bastič, L. Moody, and M. S. Krajnc, "A study of the impact of ergonomically designed workplaces on employee productivity," Adv. Prod. Eng. Manag., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 107–117, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. K. Sweeney, M. Mackey, J. Spurway, J. Clarke, and K. Ginn, "The effectiveness of ergonomics interventions in reducing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction in sonographers, surgeons and dentists: A systematic review," Ergonomics, vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 1–38, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. C. S. García, A. C. Marroquín, I. A. Macassi, and J. C. Alvarez, "Application of working method and ergonomic to optimize the packaging process in an asparagus industry," Int. J. Eng. Trends Technol., vol. 69, no. 9, pp. 14–23, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. G. Susana, "Improve of worker performance and quality of anchovy with ergonomic hybrid solar dryer," ARPN J. Eng. Appl. Sci., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1662–1667, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. M. Zare, N. Black, J. C. Sagot, G. Hunault, and Y. Roquelaure, "Ergonomics interventions to reduce musculoskeletal risk factors in a truck manufacturing plant," Int. J. Ind. Ergon., vol. 75, p. 102896, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. M. Brito, A. L. Ramos, P. Carneiro, and M. A. Gonçalves, "Integration of lean manufacturing and ergonomics in a metallurgical industry," Int. J. Occup. Environ. Saf., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 21–31, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. [T. Cimen, A. Baykasoğlu, and S. Akyol, "Assembly line rebalancing and worker assignment considering ergonomic risks in an automotive parts manufacturing plant," Int. J. Ind. Eng. Comput., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 363–384, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. L. A. Hadidi, A. Kolus, and M. AlKhamis, "Quality improvement through ergonomics intervention at chemical plant," Facilities, vol. 37, no. 5/6, pp. 266–279, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. W. Shin and M. Park, "Ergonomic interventions for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in a small manufacturing assembly line," Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon., vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 110–122, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. S. Iranzo, A. Piedrabuena, D. Iordanov, U. Martinez-Iranzo, and J. M. Belda-Lois, "Ergonomics assessment of passive upper-limb exoskeletons in an automotive assembly plant," Appl. Ergon., vol. 87, p. 103120, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Y. Ali, K. C. Chew, and M. Z. Razak, "Development of knowledge-based ergonomics software for small and medium sized industries in Malaysia," in Proc. Malaysian Ergonomics Conf., Penang, Malaysia, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 45–50, 2001. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. P. H. P. Yeow and R. N. Sen, "Quality, productivity, occupational health and safety and cost effectiveness of ergonomic improvements in the test workstations of an electronic factory," Int. J. Ind. Ergon., vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 147–163, 2002. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. H. S. Loo and S. Richardson, "Ergonomics issues in Malaysia," J. Soc. Sci., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 61–65, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. R. Ahasan, "Who does what in human factors/ergonomics in Malaysia?," J. Hum. Ergol., vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 97–95, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. R. M. Yusuff, Z. Baba, S. Z. M. Dawal, and E. Tan, "Malaysian ergonomics standards-its development, awareness, and implementation-a review article," Iran. J. Public Health, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 1–8, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. S. J. Guastello, Human factors engineering and ergonomics: A systems approach. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press, 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. X. Sun, R. Houssin, J. Renaud, and M. Gardoni, "A review of methodologies for integrating human factors and ergonomics in engineering design," Int. J. Prod. Res., vol. 57, no. 15–16, pp. 4961–4976, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. J. Village, M. Greig, S. Zolfaghari, F. Salustri, and W. P. Neumann, "Adapting engineering design tools to include human factors," IIE Trans. Occup. Ergon. Hum. Factors, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. O. Broberg, "Integrating ergonomics into engineering: Empirical evidence and implications for the ergonomists," Hum. Factors Ergon. Manuf. Serv. Ind., vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 353–366, 2007. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. R. Dingwall, Context and method in qualitative research. London, U.K.: Sage, 1997. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. M. Huberman and M. B. Miles, The qualitative researcher's companion. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage, 2002. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. J. Mason, "Linking qualitative and quantitative data analysis," in Analyzing Qualitative Data. London, U.K.: Routledge, 2013, pp. 103–124. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. H. F. Wolcott, "Writing up qualitative research 3rd edition," Qual. Health Res., pp. 91–103, 2002. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. J. W. Creswell and C. N. Poth, Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. S. L. Dworkin, "Sample size policy for qualitative studies using in-depth interviews," Transformat. J., vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 1319–1320, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. S. Kvale and S. Brinkmann, Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. London, U.K.: Sage, 2009. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. B. Marshall, P. Cardon, A. Poddar, and R. Fontenot, "Does sample size matter in qualitative research? A review of qualitative interviews in IS research," J. Comput. Inf. Syst., vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 11–22, 2013. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. V. Clarke and V. Braun, Thematic analysis: A practical guide. London, U.K.: Sage, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. J. Saldana, The coding manual for qualitative researchers. London, U.K.: Sage, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. S. B. M. Tamrin, M. S. S. Mohamed, and N. Y. Guan, "KD1-4 challenges in establishing the professional ergonomist certification scheme in Malaysia," Jpn. J. Ergon., vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 42–47, 2017. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. R. M. Sirat, J. M. Rohani, N. Ahmad, A. M. Shaharoun, and H. Haron, "Education level, working experiences and ergonomics training effect on ergonomics awareness and practices," Int. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 7, no. 3.24, pp. 12–17, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. S. A. Mustafa, S. Kamaruddin, Z. Othman, and M. Mokhtar, "Ergonomics awareness and identifying frequently used ergonomics programs in manufacturing industries using quality function deployment," Am. J. Sci. Res., vol. 3, pp. 51–66, 2009. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. F. Abdul Aziz, N. Razali, and N. Jaafar, "An investigation of low ergonomics risk awareness, among staffs at early product development phase in Malaysia automotive industries," IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 114, no. 1, p. 012096, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. P. H. P. Yeow and R. N. Sen, "Productivity and quality improvements, revenue increment, and rejection cost reduction in the manual component insertion lines through the application of ergonomics," Int. J. Ind. Ergon., vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 367–377, 2006. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. P. H. P. Yeow and R. N. Sen, "Ergonomics improvements of the visual inspection process in a printed circuit assembly factory," Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon., vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 369–385, 2004. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. B. M. Deros, D. D. I. Daruis, and I. M. Basir, "A study on ergonomic awareness among workers performing manual material handling activities," Procedia - Soc. Behav. Sci., vol. 195, pp. 1666–1673, 2015. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Dept. Occup. Saf. Health (DOSH), Guidelines on ergonomics risk assessment at workplace 2017. Putrajaya, Malaysia: Ministry of Human Resources, 2017. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. S. O. Ismaila and T. M. Samuel, "Human-centered engineering: the challenges of Nigerian engineer," J. Eng. Des. Technol., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 195–208, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. M. M. Soares, "Ergonomics in Latin America: Background, trends and challenges," Appl. Ergon., vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 555–561, 2006. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. S. Wignjosoebroto, "Indonesia ergonomics roadmap: where we are going?," J. Hum. Ergol., vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 91–98, 2007. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. C. Falck and M. Rosenqvist, "What are the obstacles and needs of proactive ergonomics measures at early product development stages? – An interview study in five Swedish companies," Int. J. Ind. Ergon., vol. 42, no. 5, pp. 406–415, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Shikdar and S. A. Al-Araimi, "Ergonomic conditions in small manufacturing industries," Sultan Qaboos Univ. J. Sci., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 61–70, 2001. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. O. J. Sealetsa and A. Thatcher, "Ergonomics issues among sewing machine operators in the textile manufacturing industry in Botswana," Work, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 279–289, 2011. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. A. Yazdani and R. Wells, "Barriers for implementation of successful change to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and how to systematically address them," Appl. Ergon., vol. 73, pp. 122–140, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. R. Z. Radin Umar, M. N. Khafiz, N. Abdullasim, N. Ahmad, and J. Dahalan, "Conceptual architecture development of virtual reality–motion capture system to analyze accessibility and clearance in front-end engineering design process: An exploratory study," in Proc. SympoSIMM 2021: Intell. Manuf. Mechatron., Singapore: Springer, 2022, pp. 347–360. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. S. Aromaa and K. Vaananen, "Suitability of virtual prototypes to support human factors/ergonomics evaluation during the design," Appl. Ergon., vol. 56, pp. 11–18, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. J. Dul, R. Bruder, P. Buckle, et al., "A strategy for human factors/ergonomics: developing the discipline and profession," Ergonomics, vol. 55, no. 4, pp. 377–395, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Dept. Occup. Saf. Health (DOSH), Guidelines for manual handling at workplace 2018. Putrajaya, Malaysia: Ministry of Human Resources, 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study