ABSTRACT
In the automotive industry a wide range of technologies is applied in the production of the final product. One of the stages of the production process is the assembly of metal components in which parts are connected using such devices as: a spot welding station, robot welding station. Spot welding machine operators are exposed to the risk of electric shock, chemical risk factors and ergonomic risk factors. Ergonomic risk factors are associated with the awkward posture while operating welding machines and repeatability of movement by
1 INTRODUCTION
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are a major cause of occupational injury in industry. In Poland, more than 4 million workers complained of musculoskeletal disorders in 2013 (GUS, 2014). The main risk factors for WMSDs are: awkward posture, repetition, excessive physical load, duration of movement (Bernard et al., 1997). Awkward posture means a significant deviation of one or more body segments from a neutral position, and generally includes: twisting, tilting forward of the back of the torso; bending, twisting the wrist; reaching with the upper limbs to the side, to the back or over the shoulder line; bending the legs at the knees, kneeling, squatting. Research carried out in 2013 by the Central Statistical Office in Poland (GUS, 2014) shows that more than 3 million workers are exposed to awkward work postures or movements and about 3 million are exposed to physical exertion related to handling heavy loads. Moreover, working posture is influenced by such factors as: the arrangement of workstations, tasks and working methods, tools and anthropometric characteristics of workers (Vieira & Humar, 2004).
