Using Of REBA Method To Analyse Ergonomics Risk Factors In The Hotel

Introduction

The variety of problems related to ergonomics in the hotel sector are mainly related to the tasks of the cleaning staff and floor maids, whose function is to fine-tune the room for a new client that arrives, or for one that is already staying at the hotel. Therefore, it is important to be aware that the safety and health of workers in this group are essential for the satisfaction and enjoyment of the client, who ultimately depends on the success and even the survival of the business. Within the scope of prevention, it is essential to always work thinking about the risks inherent in security. However, other aspects, such as ergonomic risks that deteriorate the health of workers, thus reducing their quality of life, causing pathologies and major injuries. The user factors are identified as forced postures, repetitive movements and manual handling of load that could affect the user by presenting postural illness such as musculoskeletal alterations. Regular training, standardized work processes, supervision and proper design are key factors in reducing the frequency of occupational injuries and illnesses in the hospitality sector. The postural load can be evaluated to identify the risk factors in various tasks carried out in the bed making, and obtaining risk levels through the REBA method. The REBA method aim to analyze and evaluate the user risks in order to prove specific design activities, will not only improve the productivity, but also will minimize the impact from the long-term mental and physical health of TAMHCC workers.

Statistical data

According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States, “a data analysis made from 2003 to 2005 studied 50 large sized hotels. This analysis showed that hotel housekeepers who performed guest room cleaning, suffered the highest overall injury rate from 7. 9 of 100 workers a year, and the highest rate of musculoskeletal injuries from 3. 2 of 100 workers a year. The study reviewed 2, 865 reported incidents covering 55, 327 hotel worker-years to assess injury risk based on job, gender, and race/ethnicity. ”

Principles of the REBA method

According to the American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences: Rapid Entire Body Assessment: A Literature Review, if inadequate postures are adopted continuously or repeatedly at work, fatigue is generated, and in the long run, health problems can occur. One of the risk factors most commonly associated with the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders is precisely the excessive postural load. Therefore, the evaluation of the postural load or static load, is one of the fundamental measures to be adopted. REBA is one of the observational methods for the evaluation of postures more widespread in practice. Generally, REBA is a method based on the well-known RULA method, differing fundamentally in the inclusion in the evaluation of the lower extremities (in fact, REBA is the acronym for Rapid Entire Body Assessment). The method allows the joint analysis of the positions taken by the upper body parts: arm, forearm, wrist as well as the lower body parts: trunk, neck, and legs.

Method application

The procedure to apply the REBA method can be summarized in the following steps:

1. Determine work cycles and observe the worker during several of these cycles.
2. Select the positions that will be evaluated.
3. Determine the evaluation of whether the left side of the body or the right side.
4. Take the required angular data photographs, taken from appropriate points of view to make the measurements.
5. Determine the scores for each part of the body.
6. Obtain the partial and final scores of the method to determine the existence of risks and establish the level of action.
7. If required, determine what type of measures should be adopted.
8. Redesign the position or introduce changes to improve posture if necessary.
9. In case of having introduced changes, evaluate again the position with the REBA method to check the effectiveness of the improvement.

REBA divides the body into two groups

Group A, which evaluated the upper body parts: legs, trunk and neck.

Group B, which evaluates the upper body parts: arms, forearms and wrists. Using the tables associated with the method, a score is assigned to each body area. Depending on these scores, one can assign global values to each of groups A and B. The key to assigning scores to the members is the measurement of the angles that form the different parts of the user’s body. The method determines for each member the way of measuring the angle.

The final value provided by the REBA method is proportional to the risk involved in carrying out the task. Therefore, the high values indicate a greater risk of the appearance of musculoskeletal injuries. The method organizes the final scores in action levels that guide the evaluator on the decisions to be taken after the analysis. The proposed levels of action range from level 0, which estimates that the evaluated position is acceptable, to level 4, which indicates the urgent need for changes in activity.

Group A

Assessment: The score is obtained from the scores of each one of the lower body parts: trunk, neck and legs. Therefore, as a step prior to obtaining the group score, we must obtain the scores of each member.

Trunk score: The trunk score will depend on the trunk flexion angle measured by the angle between the trunk axis and the vertical axis.

Neck score: The neck score is obtained from the flexion and extension measured by the angle formed by the axis of the head and the axis of the trunk.

Legs score: The score of the legs will depend on the distribution of weight between them and the existing supports.

Group B

Assessment: The score is obtained from the scores of each one of the upper body parts: arm, forearm and wrist.

Arm score: The arm score is obtained from its flexion and extension, measuring the angle formed by the axis of the arm and the axis of the trunk.

Forearm score: The forearm score is obtained from its flexion angle, measured as the angle formed by the forearm axis and the arm axis.

Wrist score: A wrist score is obtained from the flexion and extension angle measured from the neutral position.

Calculations

Once the scores of Groups A and B are obtained, calculating the global punctuations of each group proceeds in different levels of action are proposed on the position. REBA states that the final scores are classified into 5 ranges of values, each one of them associated with an action level. Each level establishes a level of risk and recommends action on the assessed position, indicating in each case the urgency of the intervention.

Basic task development

1. Remove used pillowcase and gently place the pillow on a convenient position.
2. By gently lifting the mattress, remove used sheets and place it on the laundry bag.
3. Locate and place the first layer sheet in between the mattress and the box spring.
4. Take the other side of the sheet, fold it upwards, and tuck it to a perfect fold.
5. Take both corners of the duvet and insert them inside the duvet cover.
6. Once both corners are set inside the duvet, take the sides and shake until the cover comes down. Place the duvet in the bed.
7. Insert the two last corners of the duvet into the cover and set onto the bed. 8. Insert the pillow case and tuck the opened end to close it. Place them in the bed.

Commentary of factors

Corrective ergonomics risk factors should be deeply analyzed in order to modify the existing conditions. In the matter of improving, the tendency should be the application of a preventive project of ergonomics, seeking the optimization of the design in order to control the risks at their origin. Within the ergonomic risks in the hotel, we will focus on those of the cleaning department, more specifically in the position of floor maid. The user factors are identified as forced postures, repetitive movements and manual handling of load that could affect the user by presenting postural illness such as musculoskeletal alterations. By using REBA method to analyze and evaluate the user risks in order to prove specific design activities, will not only improve the productivity, but also will minimize the impact from the long-term mental and physical health of TAMHCC workers.