Development of a spreadsheet-based initial ergonomics risk assessment tool using a design thinking approach

This study intends to develop an Initial Ergonomics Risk Assessment (IERA) spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel using a design thinking approach. This study is divided into three phases. In the first phase, this involves the first and second stage of the design thinking approach which is to empathize and define the problem. This is done through a focus group discussion involving seven groups, with a total of 35 participants. The second phase involves the ideation and prototyping of the spreadsheet tool. This is done through drafts and sketches of the spreadsheet-based IERA tool to generate ideas based on the users’ requirements. A prototype was then developed on Microsoft Excel using formulas to automate the calculation of ergonomics risk factors. The final phase involves the testing of the IERA spreadsheet. This was done through comparing the level of agreement of the developed tool against the traditional pen and paper approach in performing an IERA at four different companies in Malaysia covering a total of 20 different work units with different ergonomics risk. Feedback on the tool is obtained from the participants of the focus group discussion to determine if the developed spreadsheet fulfils the user requirements. The first phase determined a total of 21 different types of issues which can roughly be grouped into two large categories which are the needs for convenience and the needs for validity. This information is used to develop the spreadsheet tool in the second phase. The second phase involves using the output of the first objective to design and develop an assessment tool using Microsoft Excel to perform an Initial Ergonomics Risk Assessment. This development covers the Ideate and Prototyping stage of the Design Thinking approach. The spreadsheet developed was developed based on the 19 points raised during the focus group discussion and was incorporated in the spreadsheet. In the third phase, the tool was evaluated at a total of four sites with a total of 20 work units and it was found that the reliability for the IERA spreadsheet was found to be in perfect agreement with the pen and paper method through kappa statistics, and the hypothesis is accepted. Feedback from 7 participants is obtained and it was found that in general the user requirements which were discussed in the focus group previously is fulfilled. Findings in this study indicates that the IERA tool which was developed can be used to perform an IERA assessment. The Design Thinking approach used in the development of the tool provides an early understanding of user requirements which is then built into the design of the tool which results in positive feedback on the spreadsheet developed. However, further research work should be considered to address the limitation as reported in the study.

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