Ergonomic design of foot-operated resistance spot welding interface using multi-criteria decision-making approach.

Background: Manual spot-welding operators often engage in repetitive motions, awkward postures, and prolonged standing. These factors increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), particularly affecting the lower limbs and back. Additionally, inadequate workstation design impa...

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Published in:Work Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. 2501 - 2518
Main Authors: Alam, Md Dilshad, Ali khan, Imtiaz
Format: equations & formulas pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Jun2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2025
      vid: 81
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        10.1177/10519815241311180
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        atl: Ergonomic design of foot-operated resistance spot welding interface using multi-criteria decision-making approach.
      aug:
        au:
          Alam, Md Dilshad
          Ali khan, Imtiaz
        affil: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
      sug:
        subj:
          Ergonomics
          Equipment Design
          Metallurgy Equipment and Supplies
          Decision Making
          Work Environment
          Human
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Comfort
          Occupational Safety
          Analysis of Variance
          Materials Testing
          Musculoskeletal Diseases Risk Factors
          Occupational Health
          Productivity
          Blue Collar Workers
          Adult
          Adult: 19-44 years
      ab: Background: Manual spot-welding operators often engage in repetitive motions, awkward postures, and prolonged standing. These factors increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), particularly affecting the lower limbs and back. Additionally, inadequate workstation design impacts workers' health, safety, and productivity. Objective: Identify the optimal conditions for the spot-welding interface using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach with three input parameters: pedal height (30, 35, 40 cm), worker distance (70, 80, 90 cm) and worksheet thickness (22, 25, 30 gauge). Methods: The study employed L27 orthogonal array experimental design. Entropy Weight Method (EWM) was used to determine weight of each factor. The optimal input parameters were identified using Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) method, with validation from Weighted Grey Relational Analysis (WGRA) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) determined the significance of input parameters, and a confirmation test validated the findings. Results: EWM calculated a weight of 0.3404 to task time, 0.3401 to pedal force, and 0.3193 to comfort level. WASPAS, WGRA, and TOPSIS identified the optimal parameters as pedal height of 35 cm, worker distance of 80 cm, and worksheet thickness of 30-gauge. ANOVA showed that worksheet thickness had the greatest impact on response, followed by worker distance and pedal height. The confirmation test validated the result with high reliability (0.88% error). Conclusion: This study explored ergonomic recommendations for optimizing spot-welding environments using a statistical and MCDM model focused on improving pedal force, task time, and comfort.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        equations & formulas
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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