Quality improvement through ergonomics intervention at chemical plant
ISSN: 0263-2772
Article publication date: 15 February 2019
Issue publication date: 8 March 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on ergonomics intervention and quality implementation at a chemical manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia that is prone to increased number of quality defects and shutdowns.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies the quality improvement through ergonomics (QUITE) methodology as a solution to improve the level of plants quality and reliability. The QUITE implementation relies on a great amount of human participation and constant check of quality results. The study is conducted to solve two main problems in the plant under study, namely, degradation in the products quality and unsolved frequent shutdowns in the production line
Findings
The study findings suggested to automate the inspection process through “User Alert” system to stimulate the operator attention who triggers a corrective action to avoid any possible process upset of plant shutdown. The implementation increased productivity from 280 to 310 ton; quality conformance from 91.7 to 96.80 per cent; and reduced shutdown from 1.26 days to almost zero downtime.
Originality/value
The work shed the light on the effect of ergonomics on the quality of finished products. Usually, ergonomics is related to the work environment. However, ergonomics initiatives can spearhead improvement in production quality.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals for supporting this research. Also, the role of anonymous reviewers in providing comments is appreciated, which indeed improved the content of this paper.
Citation
Hadidi, L.A., Kolus, A. and AlKhamis, M. (2019), "Quality improvement through ergonomics intervention at chemical plant", Facilities, Vol. 37 No. 5/6, pp. 266-279. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-06-2018-0068
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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