Risk-Driven Ergonomic Redesign of a Woodworking CNC Workstation: WERA Analysis, Anthropometric Translation, and a Hydraulic Lift Table Proposal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59261/jequi.v8i4.450Keywords:
Ergonomic intervention, WERA, CNC workstation, Manual material handling, Wood manufacturingAbstract
Background: Wood-based manufacturing still relies on repetitive manual material handling around CNC workstations, exposing workers to awkward postures, high physical demands, and prolonged standing. At the observed workstation, the primary ergonomic problems were associated with loading, unloading, inspection, and palletizing activities rather than with the machining cycle itself.
Objective: This study aimed to address ergonomic issues associated with CNC workstation activities by proposing an ergonomic intervention involving the redesign of a CNC support workstation with a hydraulic lift table. The contribution of this study lies in integrating task-level ergonomic risk assessment with anthropometric design to develop a practical engineering proposal for wood manufacturing.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive approach was employed, incorporating direct observation, postural documentation, interviews, Nordic Body Map screening, anthropometric measurements, and the Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) method. The study involved 14 workers, comprising 5 CNC operators and 9 helpers.
Results: The WERA scores were 28 for operators and 41 for helpers, indicating greater ergonomic risk exposure among helpers. The predominant risk factors were shoulder posture, neck posture, forceful exertion, repetition, and task duration. Anthropometric analysis informed the proposed design of a hydraulic lift table with a platform measuring 1,300 × 1,100 mm, an adjustable height range of 300–900 mm, and a minimum lifting capacity of 100 kg.
Conclusion: Helper tasks represent the most critical source of ergonomic risk at the CNC workstation. The proposed hydraulic lift table offers a feasible engineering intervention to reduce ergonomic risks and support occupational health and safety in wood manufacturing.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Firman Ardiansyah Ekoanindiyo, Antoni Yohanes, Zuly Budiarso, Rina Candra Noor Santi, Theresia Dwiati Wismarini
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