EVALUATING PRODUCTIVITY TARGET AND ERGONOMICS SAFEGUARD: A HUMAN FACTOR STUDY OF BOTTLE MAKING INDUSTRY
This study evaluated the relationship between machinery operators’ productivity efficiency (MOPE) and the machinery operators’ on-the-job ergonomics satisfactions (MOOES) in Southwest Nigeria bottle making industry (BMI). The MOPE, for a period of one year, was computed for 50 semi-automatic PET blow machines operators in 12 bottle making industries. The subjective perceptions of the workers (category ratio scale - (CRS)) with respect to workloads elements and exposures to machine related hazards were measured using a questionnaire. MOPE results showed 78% of the studied subjects scored about 50% and their productivity were rated average. However, more than 92% of the operators suffered from mental, physical and environmental workload elements. With t- test, MOPE showed statistically significantly higher means value (54.22 ± 2.5, SEM= 1.8) compared to MOOES (34.40 ± 2.75, SEM=.125), t(98) = 23.309, p = .001 hence, were significantly different t- confirming a gap between machinery operators’ ergonomics satisfactions and their productivity levels. The study suggested development of administrative measures capable of bridging the gap to enhance health and safety of the workers. Key words: ergonomics, satisfaction, machinery, operators, productivity, bottle, industry.