Ergonomic Workplace Design for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises : A Conceptual Model

The purpose of the present study is to develop a conceptual model of ergonomic workplace design through an extensive literature survey to enhance the workplace safety of small manufacturing entities in India. The study emphasizes the need to redesign the work environment in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the ergonomic approach. The small entities, including the MSMEs, are the key stakeholders of the country’s economic progress in terms of their contribution to GDP, job creation and exports. However, there is a concern in the sector in the areas of productivity, energy efficiency and more often regarding occupational health and safety. Safety is a basic physical and psychological need of human beings in their daily life and work, which is often neglected in the small entities. In this context of the working environment of MSMEs in India, the study elucidates the measures taken to ensure workers’ safety and health, by identifying the causes of industrial accidents and classifying them. The study also establishes the relation between ergonomic workplace design and productivity. Promoting occupational safety and health, and ergonomic workplace design is the need of the hour. Therefore, this study highlights the need for ergonomic workplace designing, and how it would be a competitive advantage in the long run