ABSTRACT
The paper presents the integration of “Lean Thinking” into the application of industrial ergonomics. When properly focused, ergonomics can be a powerful tool for achieving Lean objectives such as improving process efficiency, increasing productivity, and reducing quality defects. As ergonomics is applied to reduce injury risk it can simultaneously identify and reduce movement or motion-related wastes. By thoughtfully merging Lean and ergonomics, organizations can better achieve production process excellence and improved customer satisfaction. This research is based on project case studies within organizations where the principles were applied. It refers to wastes such as motion, waiting, inventory and defects. In details the examples are described to show how to reduce lean-related wastes.
