Fatigue Measurement of Elderly Workers in Small and Medium Enterprise

Abstract

Objectives—The study aims to assess the physical aspect of elderly workers (above 60 years old) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to recommend the improvement of work facilities and methods.

Methods—Elderly workers (n = 17) were observed and interviewed whilst they were doing their jobs to identify subjective fatigue and muscle pain based on the Nordic body map. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rodgers Muscle Fatigue Analysis Method (MFA) were used to assess the physical risks of elderly workers. Results were compared with younger workers in the same jobs. Observation was also done to identify the characteristics of the elderly when they were at work.

Findings—The study corroborates that subjective fatigue measured from the musculoskeletal complaints of elderly workers was not significantly different from that of young workers (p = 0.056) although the result of the REBA and Rodgers MFA methods verifies that the posture and position of elderly workers when they do their jobs greatly cause muscle fatigue. The same result is consistent with the subjective fatigue measurement result. Moreover, the posture and fatigue analysis result is used to develop recommendations to improve methods and facilities for elderly workers.

Application—This study was conducted by considering many elderly who still work in SMEs in Indonesia. A preliminary study was needed to identify the characteristics of elderly work for the basis of making the workplace safe for the elderly.