The Application of the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation and REBA Method in Manual Work Evaluation (A Case Study at PT. Caladi Lima Sembilan, Bandung)

Abstract

Manual lifting is one of manual material handling (MMH) activities that requires serious attention because the physical pressure of this particular work will affect the workers’ health condition. The workers may suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain injuries. In its production process, PT. Caladi Lima Sembilan (PT. C59 - a garment factory in Bandung) still involves manual lifting activities. To prevent worker injury due to this particular work, manual work evaluation using The Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (NIOSH 1991) and REBA method is conducted to several lifting activities. NIOSH 1991 is a tool for evaluating the manual lifting work comprehensively by calculating the recommended weight limit and lifting index, while REBA method is a tool for evaluating the variations of workers’ physical posture as they doing their works. REBA method will produce a score for each work, which the greater the calculated score, the greater risk of the workers’ injury. The result of evaluation and analysis that have been conducted in several departments indicates that the present working condition requires improvement actions. Therefore, redesign suggestions is given to improve the present working conditions. The results are expected to be close to the ideal working conditions that are suggested by NIOSH 1991 and REBA methods.