Occupational Safety within Non-Routine Manufacturing Processes: Evaluating the Validity of Task-Based Ergonomic Assessments

TL;DR

This study evaluates the validity of task-based ergonomic assessments in non-routine manufacturing, revealing significant validity concerns and implications for occupational safety practices.

Contribution

It provides an empirical evaluation of the construct validity of task-based ergonomic assessments in complex industrial settings using MTMM and video analysis.

Findings

Low convergent validity (0.149 to 0.243 correlations)

Weak discriminant validity with p<0.001

Identifies factors undermining validity and risk misinterpretation

Abstract

Direct measurement ergonomic assessment is reshaping occupational safety by facilitating highly reliable risk estimation. Industry 5.0, advocating human-centricity, has catalysed increasing adoption of direct measurement tools in manufacturing industries. However, due to technical and feasibility constraints in their practical implementations, especially within non routine manufacturing processes, task based approach to ergonomic assessment is utilized. Despite enabling operationalization of robust ergonomic assessment technologies within complicated industrial processes, task based approach raises several validity concerns. Hence, to ascertain functional utility of the resultant safety interventions, this study evaluates the construct validity of task based ergonomic assessment within non routine work utilizing Multitrait multimethod (MTMM) matrix followed by video-based content analysis. Ergonomic exposure traits were collected for 46 participants through direct measurement and self reported techniques utilizing inertial motion capture and Borg's RPE rating scale respectively. Findings include unsubstantiated convergent validity (low same trait correlations from 0.149 to 0.243) and weak evidence of discriminant validity with statistical significance (p value less than 0.001). The study also identifies three primary factors undermining construct validity through video based content analysis. Findings also elucidate misinterpretation of ergonomic risk and action levels. Therefore, practical implications entail underestimation of actual ergonomic risks when estimated through task based assessment. This highlights the need for enhancement in ergonomic assessment technologies focused on cumulative load analysis compatible within diverse industrial processes.