Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Manufacturing Works in Virtual Reality Context

Industry 4.0 is potentially innovative in the workers' role, which is becoming increasingly involved in smart activities. In this situation, it is necessary to improve highly repetitive uncomfortable working postures to reduce physical risks. This study intends to assess physical risks during VR interaction for manufacturing work. Posture-related physical risk levels were calculated using ergonomic risk assessment tools RULA, REBA, and OWAS. Three task conditions were considered for the experiment in a VR-based car-assembly environment. An analysis of variance was applied to investigate significant differences between task conditions, and it suggested that a higher risk level was obtained while working in the overhead position for RULA and REBA, whereas the squatting position obtained a higher risk level for OWAS. Sensitivity analysis identified that the upper arm and neck were responsible for the highest risk level for RULA, the upper arm, neck, and trunk for REBA, and the back posture parameter for OWAS.

Automated summary

Industry 4.0 has the potential to bring innovative changes to the role of workers, who are increasingly involved in smart activities. In order to reduce physical risks, it is necessary to improve highly repetitive uncomfortable working postures. This study assesses physical risks during VR interaction for manufacturing work, using ergonomic risk assessment tools RULA, REBA, and OWAS. The experiment in a VR-based car-assembly environment revealed that working in the overhead position posed a higher risk level for RULA and REBA, while the squatting position had a higher risk level for OWAS. Sensitivity analysis identified the specific body parts responsible for the highest risk levels in each assessment tool.