Ergonomic analysis of synthetic rubber slab production line jobs in a shoe factory

Abstract

Faced with a globalized economy, companies have been trying hard to increase the production and quality of their products, with ever lower costs, which has resulted in labor intensification and inadequate working conditions. From this perspective, the present research aims to ergonomically analyze the jobs that integrate the synthetic rubber slab production line in a shoe factory, located in the city of Juazeiro do Norte (CE). Methodologically, this research has a descriptive-exploratory, qualitative and quantitative approach, which included literature review and field research. The study extended to six jobs along the rubber slab production line: weighing; mixture; calendering; cooling; vulcanization; and division. The visits to the factory were carried out by a thorough monitoring of the production process, where interviews were conducted with workers and managers. After the job evaluation, it became evident that these employees are exposed to noisy, hot and inefficiently lit working environments, combined with repetitive and intense activity. Thus, some recommendations highlight the points to be corrected by the company in the production cell, in order to adapt the actual work to the skills and physical limitations of its workforce.