MODELLING WELDING POSTURES IN A SMALL-SCALED ENTERPRISE

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the personnel working in the welding process by analyzing them in different work postures, such as squatting, bending, and standing. An analytical method that critically considers human anatomy is used in this study. Within the scope of the research, it is assumed that the welding takes place on a broad workpiece in a vertical plane that allows access from different welding postures. The multiple forces involved due to the interactions between the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones of the welder with the internal and external masses moved are comprehensively analyzed. The major forces analyzed are from the engineering viewpoint and attention is given to the forces crucial to equilibrium conditions at the work postures. The working postures of the welders in a small welding workstation in the squatting, bending and standing postures are analyzed for energy expenditure given the typical human anatomy dimensions considering the mass of the welding rod and other moving parts carried and the potential energy at the point of analysis of the welder. The results belonging to each work posture were given separately. In the case study, the total energy expenditure at the squatting, sitting, bending and standing positions are -36.8 kJ, -8.02 kJ, -15.32 kJ and -5.97 kJ, respectively. This indicates that squatting is the worst position regarding energy expenditure while the standing work posture gives the best energy expenditure. This paper indicates the usability of the analytical method in determining the energy expenditure at various work postures of the welder. By employing the analytical method at the welding workstation, the value and originality of the research are established.