Comparative Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Manual Handling Tasksin a Small-Scale Water Bottling Operation Using RULA and ERIN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26439/ing.ind2026.n50.8671Keywords:
ergonomic risk assessment, manual material handling, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, cumulative trauma disorders, RULA, ERINAbstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) rank among the leading causes of occupational morbidity in manufacturing environments that demand high physical exertion. This study presents a comparative ergonomic risk assessment across five workstations at a small-scale water purification plant in Mexico, utilizing the RULA and ERIN assessment methods. We conducted a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional analysis focusing on manual tasks involved in washing, rinsing, filling, sealing, and transporting 20 kg water containers. The ERIN method classified three workstations as high risk, with scores ranging from 28 to 35, while the RULA method identified one workstation as very high risk and two as high risk. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms occurred in the wrist/hand (60 %) and lower back (55 %). The agreement between the two assessment methods facilitated the identification of critical factors related to arm posture, effort intensity, and work pace, thereby supporting the implementation of low-cost ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the risk of MSDs.
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