The aim of this paper is to discuss and recommend solutions for the ergonomic hazards present in a shop floor type of manufacturing facility. This type of study is important since the ergonomic issues that concern the shop floor worker are different than those faced by the assembly line worker. The shop floor employee for the most part enjoys work satisfaction, task variety, and is able to control his own work pace. From an ergonomic standpoint, this is the preferred work environment.

The focus of this paper is a case study. This study is a one-day ergonomic assessment of a plastic manufacturing facility located in New Jersey. The ergonomic hazards found in this facility provided valuable information for developing guidelines that can be applied in most shop floor facilities. Among these guidelines is the implementation of a program that includes joint participation from management and workers for hazard evaluation.