Ergonomics and Noise Management Strategies for the Workers of Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturing Plant
Authors
Helal, Mohammad Al ; Amin, Samiha ; Fazal, Hafiza Saima
Term
2. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-25
Pages
31
Abstract
Improving occupational health and safety in wind turbine blade factories depends on knowing how to run and maintain processes safely and efficiently. This study focuses on two well-known issues: ergonomic strain and noise. We combined qualitative insights with semi-quantitative tools to build a balanced assessment. For ergonomic risks, a risk matrix highlighted the most problematic tasks, which we then prioritized with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) by calculating a Risk Priority Number (RPN). For noise, we used Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) to trace how unwanted outcomes can occur. We also mapped stakeholders with a 2x2 power-interest matrix to see who has influence and who is most affected. The analysis shows that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most severe ergonomic outcome, with the highest RPN (216), especially during awkward tasks such as molding and shaping. For noise exposure, headache emerged as the main nuisance during blade deburring with heavy-duty machinery. These findings can inform future work in blade manufacturing, including the exploration of wearable sensors, robotics, active noise control with artificial intelligence, and modern acoustic panels.
At forbedre arbejdsmiljøet i fabrikker, der fremstiller vindmøllevinger, kræver viden om, hvordan processer drives og vedligeholdes sikkert og effektivt. Dette studie fokuserer på to velkendte problemområder: ergonomisk belastning og støj. Vi kombinerede kvalitative indsigter med semi-kvantitative værktøjer for at få en afbalanceret vurdering. For ergonomiske risici brugte vi en risikomatrice til at udpege de mest problematiske opgaver, som derefter blev prioriteret med Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) ved at beregne et risikoprioritetsnummer (RPN). For støj anvendte vi Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) til at spore, hvordan uønskede hændelser kan opstå. Vi kortlagde også interessenter med en 2x2 magt-interesse-matrice for at se, hvem der kan påvirke forbedringer, og hvem der berøres mest. Analysen viser, at muskel-skelet-lidelser (MSD) er den mest alvorlige ergonomiske konsekvens med det højeste RPN (216), især under akavede opgaver som formning og udformning. Ved støjpåvirkning var hovedpine den væsentligste gene under afgratning af vinger med tungt maskineri. Disse resultater kan vejlede fremtidigt arbejde i vingeproduktionen, herunder afprøvning af bærbare sensorer, robotter, aktiv støjkontrol med kunstig intelligens og moderne akustiske paneler.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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Amin, Samiha:
Fazal, Hafiza Saima: