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Human Factors and Ergonomics for Lean Manufacturing Applications

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Lean Manufacturing in the Developing World

Abstract

Ergonomic is a scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. One of the fields of application of this discipline is the prevention of occupational—risks in the workplace, preventing the presentation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and thereby establishing the conditions for increasing productivity in organizations. This is precisely the reason that has led some companies to focus in continuous improvement process through the use of Lean Manufacturing which refers to the creation of value stream. However, it is necessary to have a methodology of intervention focused on the correct application of both concepts under the premise of achieving results without neglecting the human factor. In this context, the present work discloses the continuous improvement cycle adapted from various authors, explaining the steps and activities to be performed under a Lean Ergonomics perspective. This implies a new analysis approach in problem solving and/or elimination of or waste to generate value based on human factors in the pursuit of operational excellence without neglecting the health of workers. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering the human above any method which will ensure success in organizations.

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Correspondence to Arnulfo Aurelio Naranjo-Flores .

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Naranjo-Flores, A.A., Ramírez-Cárdenas, E. (2014). Human Factors and Ergonomics for Lean Manufacturing Applications. In: García-Alcaraz, J., Maldonado-Macías, A., Cortes-Robles, G. (eds) Lean Manufacturing in the Developing World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04951-9_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04951-9_13

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