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Linking the Use of Ergonomics Methods to Workplace Social Sustainability: The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System and Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method

Author

Listed:
  • Brigita Gajšek

    (Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska c. 7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia)

  • Anca Draghici

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
    President of the ErgoWork Society in Romania.)

  • Maria Elena Boatca

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
    Members of the ErgoWork Society in Romania.)

  • Alin Gaureanu

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
    Members of the ErgoWork Society in Romania.)

  • Diana Robescu

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 14. Remus Str., 300191 Timisoara, Romania
    Members of the ErgoWork Society in Romania.)

Abstract

This article concretizes the continuous development of social sustainability in organizations based on ergonomics methods and tools, among others. Numerous scientific studies have already revealed many reasons for justifying balanced efforts towards organizational sustainability, including its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Because the social dimension is recognized as the weakest and is often neglected, it is placed at the forefront of the present research. The link between social sustainability in the workplace and the ergonomics concept is provided through 17 underlying indicators of the workplace sustainability framework proposed in a previous study. The OWAS and REBA ergonomic risk assessment methods were used in a toolmaking company to study how results can be used directly or indirectly to determine the size or value of indicators used in the sustainability framework. The research finds that direct use of the OWAS and REBA results is not possible, but it is certain that the implementation of proposals in response to identified levels of risk affects up to four out of five factors that constitute the sustainability framework. The use of OWAS and REBA is not suitable to address environmental concerns. This study encourages companies to use ergonomic methods and tools to develop social sustainability in the workplace. It is often necessary to decide between the pen-and-paper approach and an advanced one using artificial intelligence (e.g., supported by the ErgoIA software tool). Not only the method but also the technique chosen affects the degree of sustainability achieved. Finally, relevant aspects of knowledge exploitation in the field of ergonomic education for social sustainability were summarized.

Suggested Citation

  • Brigita Gajšek & Anca Draghici & Maria Elena Boatca & Alin Gaureanu & Diana Robescu, 2022. "Linking the Use of Ergonomics Methods to Workplace Social Sustainability: The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System and Rapid Entire Body Assessment Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4301-:d:787088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Amjad, Asim & Ikramullah Butt, Shahid & Agha, Mujtaba Hassan & Ahmad, Ayyaz & Zhang, Faping & Ahmad, Shamraiz, 2023. "Integrating Ergonomics and sustainability: A framework with LDA methodology and implementation roadmap," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Oriana Helena Negulescu & Anca Draghici & Gabriela Fistis, 2022. "A Proposed Approach to Monitor and Control Sustainable Development Strategy Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Amber Batwara & Vikram Sharma & Mohit Makkar, 2025. "Assessment of occupational health and work environment with socio-tech value stream mapping," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 17671-17696, July.
    4. Gloria Janeth Murillo-Aviña & Sialia Karina Mellink-Méndez & Josué Aarón López-Leyva & Víctor Manuel Ramos-García, 2022. "Challenges and Opportunities Post Pandemic of Organizational Ergonomics to Promote the Social Sustainability in Cultural and Creative Industries: A Critical Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Violeta Firescu, 2025. "Increasing Collaboration Between Humans and Technology Within Organizations: The Need for Ergonomics and Soft Skills in Engineering Education 5.0," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-29, February.
    6. Juan Ignacio Dorrego Viera & Rodrigo Bruno Santolin & Valentina Lazzarotti & Andrea Urbinati, 2024. "Sustainability decision‐making in times of crisis: An empirical study in Italy under the lens of the Russian‐Ukraine war," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3988-4006, September.

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