ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION DESIGN IN AUTOMOTIVE CAR SEATS PRODUCTION.

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common work-related illnesses. At the European level, they affect the health of millions of workers, and, at the same time, the employers themselves pay high costs for their compensation. According to the data from the automotive industry, the costs of introducing ergonomic controls at the initial stage of production design are significantly lower than the costs of compensating musculoskeletal disorders. Along with the implementation of ergonomic controls at an early stage, the risks of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders are reduced or eliminated. The need for a scientific research approach in the implementation of ergonomic controls is imposed as one of the most significant ways to deal with musculoskeletal disorders and to improve safety, wellbeing, and effectiveness of employees. This paper analyzes the ergonomic risks among employees in the automotive car seats production as well as the control mechanisms that can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]