ABSTRACT
Facility management and support functions play a key role in providing a comfortable and suitable environment for daily work activities. In addition to basic facility infrastructure, there are key factors to consider when working within a shop floor environment, including facility layout, workplace design, fire suppression, chemical storage, utility access, electrostatic discharge, and cleanliness, to name a few. Ergonomics, sometimes called human engineering, is the science of designing and arranging items people use to improve productivity and safety in the workplace. Manufacturing ergonomics focuses on the best way for people to handle materials and assemble products to minimize fatigue and discomfort and avoid injury. An ergonomic study focuses on five aspects: safety; comfort; ease of use; productivity (or performance); and aesthetics. Gemba walks can be used to look for ergonomic improvement opportunities as workers perform their daily routines within their natural working environment.
