Physical ergonomics awareness in an offshore processing platform among Malaysian oil and gas workers

Physical and psychological job demands and fatigue experience among offshore workers

Offshore operations are generally challenging and hazardous, and the workers are exposed to conditions that may lead to fatigue. A cross-sectional study evaluated physical and psychological job demands and their associations with fatigue among offshore workers. The offshore workers (n = 251) completed a questionnaire including demographic/job details, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‒20), and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Data were analysed using linear regression modelling. Results indicated that the physical (particularly performing repetitive motions and applying pressure with hands and wrists) and psychological (e.g., intense task concentration and fast working) job demands were relatively high. The total mean (SD) fatigue score (MFI‒20) was 56.3 (13.9). Individual factors (Body Mass Index ‒ BMI), physical job demands (awkward working postures, frequent moving/lifting heavy objects and doing lots of physical efforts) and psychological job demands (task interruptions by other people and doing an excessive amount of work) were the main variables associated with different dimensions of fatigue in the multivariate models. While physical fatigue was only associated with the physical job demands, both physical and psychological job demands were significantly associated with mental fatigue in the multivariate context. The findings have possible implications for job design and implementation of intervention programmes to promote health and performance of the employees.

Ergonomic Factors That Impact Job Satisfaction and Occupational Health during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Based on a Structural Equation Model: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Analysis of University Workers

This paper presents a structural equation model to determine the job satisfaction and occupational health impacts concerning organizational and physical ergonomics, using (as a study) objective unionized workers from the University of Sonora, South Campus, as an educational enterprise, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The above is a key element of an organizational sustainability framework. In fact, there exists a knowledge gap about the relationship between diverse ergonomic factors, job satisfaction, and occupational health, in the educational institution's context. The method used was a stratified sample of workers to which a job satisfaction-occupational health questionnaire was applied, consisting of 31 items with three-dimensional variables. As a result, the overall Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was determined, 0.9028, which is considered adequate to guarantee reliability (i.e., very high magnitude). Therefore, after the structural equation model, only 12 items presented a strong correlation, with a good model fit of 0.036 based on the root mean square error of approximation, 1.09 degrees of freedom for the chi-square, 0.9 for the goodness of fit index, and a confidence level of 95%. Organizational and physical factors have positive impacts on job satisfaction with factor loads of 0.37 and 0.53, respectively, and p-values of 0.016 and 0.000, respectively. The constructs related to occupational health that are considered less important by the workers were also determined, which would imply a mitigation strategy. The results contribute to the body of knowledge concerning the ergonomic dimensions mentioned and support organizational sustainability improvements in educational institutions and other sectors.

Incorporating Sustainability and Maintenance for Performance Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms: A Perspective

The existence of external two-fold pressure regarding competitiveness and sustainable development in a capital-intensive industry supports the need for sustainable performance. However, endeavors to create a sustainable framework to measure the performance of the oil and gas (O&G) industry are mostly devoted to the production and supply chain of petrochemical products and rarely focus on a maintenance perspective. Motivated by such scarcity, the goal of this research was to discuss and articulate the performance assessment framework by integrating concepts of maintenance and sustainability in the O&G industry. This study proposed the use of a range of performance measures for assessing sustainability on offshore production and drilling platforms. The conceptual framework consists of four aspects of sustainability categorized into technical, environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Each measure was assigned according to its relevance at the strategic, tactical, and functional levels of maintenance decision making. The conceptual framework resulted in hierarchical clusters of twelve strategic indicators. These indicators consist of conventional measures as well as new ones relating to the safety and reliability on offshore platforms. The potential contribution of the present study is found in its intention to empower a better understanding of sustainable maintenance and encourage those making decisions about practical implementation within the O&G industry. This paper culminates with directions for future studies.

The effects of ergonomic intervention on the musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue experienced by workers in the traditional metal casting industry

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of ergonomic intervention on the musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue experienced by workers of the traditional metal casting industry that manually pour molten metal into molds. The workers' physical complaints are typically in the form of musculoskeletal complaints, which include (1) an activity aspect, (2) a physical aspect, and (3) a motivational aspect. The method used in this research was stratified random sampling. The subjects (n = 127) were divided into three groups, namely, the process cement department (PCD) group, the loam department (LD) group, and the black sand department (BSD) group. The evaluation was carried out using questionnaires based on musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue. Meanwhile, an assessment of musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue was conducted one month before the ergonomic intervention, and then during follow-ups at one and eight months after the ergonomic intervention. The results showed that the average reduction in musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue experienced by the workers in the LD group was lower than that of the workers in the PCD and BSD groups at one and eight months after the ergonomic intervention. The positive effects of the ergonomic intervention on musculoskeletal complaints were evident in terms of the back, waist, left and right thighs, right knee, right ankle, and left foot (p < 0.05). The positive effects of the ergonomic intervention on the level of activity-based fatigue were felt in the body and legs, and the feeling of wanting to lie down decreased. The motivational fatigue experienced by the workers manifested as difficulty in thinking, concentrating, and controlling behavior, while the physical fatigue experienced by the workers was in the form of headaches, back pain, excessive thirst, and feeling unwell (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that ergonomic intervention can reduce both musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue, especially by conducting a morning briefing, using ergonomic ladles when pouring molten metal into molds, and consuming nutritious food during break times.