ELECTROMYOGRAPHY ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED STANDING IN METAL STAMPING INDUSTRY

Abstract

Many jobs in metal stamping industry require workers to perform in standing position. Standing is a practical working position when the workers are lifting heavy products, and pushing or pulling excessive loads because those jobs require a stable position and large degree of freedom. However, if the workers perform the jobs continuously in standing throughout the working hours, they may be experience muscle fatigue. The objective of this study such as to measure the myoelectric levels (μV) exerted by the left and right erector spinae, left and right tibialis anterior. The myoelectric levels in the muscles were measured using surface Electromyography (sEMG). Ten production workers from a metal stamping industry participated as subjects for sEMG measurement. Out of which, five workers from metal stamping process lines and another five from handwork section. The muscle activity of the subjects was measured for 5 hours and 45 minutes of continuous standing during beginning of workday, middle of workday, and end of workday from Monday to Wednesday. Results of comparison found that the two groups of workers show significant difference (p-value < 0.05) in myoelectric level in the right erector spinae, right gastrocnemius, and left tibialis anterior during the beginning of workday. However, the two groups of workers did not show any significant difference in myoelectric level during the middle of the workday and end of the workday. It can be concluded that muscle activity of the workers was determined by the work load and duration of standing. This study suggests that anti fatigue mat and micro breaks should be provided to the workers to reduce muscle fatigue.