Cognitive and metabolic workload assessment techniques: A review in automotive manufacturing context

Dadashi, Nastaran; Lawson, Glyn; Marshall, Michael; Stokes, Gary

Abstract

Ergonomics assessment in the automotive industry has, to date, focused mainly on physical ergonomics, for example, manual handling and posture. However, workload and, in particular, metabolic and cognitive workload, contributes to worker efficiency but has not received sufficient attention to yield practical guidance for industry. Successful workload assessment requires in-depth understanding of the context in which it will be conducted and of the various assessment techniques which will be applied, with consideration given to factors such as feasibility, resources, and skill of the assessor. These requirements are met with challenges within large and complex organizations and are often dealt with in a piecemeal and isolated matter (i.e., reactive workload assessment). The present paper explores these challenges within the automotive manufacturing industry and aims to develop a decision matrix to guide effective selection of workload assessment techniques focused on metabolic and cognitive demands. It also presents the requirements for time, equipment, and knowledge to implement these techniques as part of a participatory ergonomics approach. Early findings suggest that most assessment techniques reviewed require further development, for example, to establish the acceptance criteria for the specific workload scenario. However, five methods (Garg, Borg RPE, IPAQ, SWAT, and NASA-TLX) are ready to use in certain applications. Ultimately, the findings suggest that it is possible to implement a participatory workload evaluation program within large and complex manufacturing plants.

Citation

Dadashi, N., Lawson, G., Marshall, M., & Stokes, G. (2022). Cognitive and metabolic workload assessment techniques: A review in automotive manufacturing context. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing and Service Industries, 32(1), 20-34. https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20928

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 9, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 28, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Deposit Date: Jun 21, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 29, 2022
• Journal: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing and Service Industries
• Print ISSN: 1090-8471
• Electronic ISSN: 1520-6564
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 20-34
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20928
• Keywords: metabolic workload; cognitive workload; automative manufacturing; participatory ergonomics; ergonomics intervention Keywords: metabolic workload; cognitive workload; automotive manufacturing; ergonomics intervention
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5717443
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hfm.20928