Application of Lean Ergonomics to Reduce Motion Waste, Musculoskeletal Complaints, and Work Fatigue in Tempeh MSMEs

Authors

  • Endang Widuri Asih Universitas Akprind Indonesia
  • I G. Adiatmika Ergonomics Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Indonesia
  • I M. Muliarta Ergonomics Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Indonesia
  • I.B. Alit Swamardika Electrical Engineering, Udayana University, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71341/bmwj.v3i1.55

Keywords:

Lean Ergonomics, Motion Waste, Musculoskeletal Complaints, Work Fatigue

Abstract

Background: Tempeh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are largely home-based industries that rely on manual production processes. These manual tasks often involve inefficient movements, leading to musculoskeletal disorders and significant work fatigue.

Objectives: This study aims to implement a Lean Ergonomics approach to reduce motion waste, musculoskeletal complaints, and work fatigue among workers in the tempeh industry.

Method: This experimental study used a within-subject design (treatment-by-subject). The research was conducted in two phases: before improvement (P1) and after improvement (P2). Data collection involved identifying waste, analyzing work posture using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), measuring musculoskeletal complaints via the Nordic Body Map (NBM), and assessing fatigue levels using the Industrial Fatigue Rating Committee (IFRC) questionnaire.

Results: Interventions included redesigning worktables to improve posture, implementing the 5S methodology to refine work methods, and optimizing the facility layout. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in unnecessary movements, decreasing from 15 in P1 to 7 in P2. Work posture scores improved, with RULA and REBA scores decreasing by 1.81 and 2.87, respectively. Furthermore, musculoskeletal complaints decreased by 22.4% (9.31 points), and work fatigue levels were reduced by 22.14%.

Conclusion: The application of Lean Ergonomics effectively reduces motion waste, improves work posture, and lowers levels of musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. These improvements enhance overall work comfort and performance within tempeh MSMEs.

References

Abdulhakim, F., Kusnayat, A., & Martini, S. (2020). an Improved Design of a Soybean Peel Separator for Tempe Production. Knowex Food and Agriculture, 1(1), 2–12. https://doi.org/10.17501/2682728x.2020.1102

Aripin, Norhana Mohd.; Mahmud, F. et al. (2024). Systematic literature review : lean ergonomics analysis in small & medium enterprises ( smes ) manufacturing sector Norhana Mohd Aripin , Fatimah Mahmud , Lee Khai Loon and Suhaidah Hussain Faculty of Industrial Management , Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-. 19(1), 89–108.

Aripin, N., Mahmud, F., Lee, K. L., & Hussain, S. (2024). Systematic Literature Review: Lean Ergonomics Analysis In Small & Medium Enterprises (Smes) Manufacturing Sector. Journal of Technology and Operations Management, 19, 89–108. https://doi.org/10.32890/jtom2024.19.1.7

Asih, E. W., Mawadati, A., & Lestari, N. (2020). Ergonomic Design for Tempe Production Tool Based on User Voice. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 807(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/807/1/012037

Botti, L., Mora, C., & Regattieri, A. (2017). Integrating ergonomics and lean manufacturing principles in a hybrid assembly line. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2017.05.011

Bridger, R. (2018). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics 4th Edition.

Brito, B. C., Forsberg, B. R., Kasper, D., Amaral, J. H. F., de Vasconcelos, M. R. R., de Sousa, O. P., Cunha, F. A. G., & Bastos, W. R. (2017). The influence of inundation and lake morphometry on the dynamics of mercury in the water and plankton in an Amazon floodplain lake. Hydrobiologia, 790(1), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-3017-y

Brito, M., & Gonçalves, M. A. (2020). ErgoSMED: A Methodology to Reduce Setup Times and Improve Ergonomic Conditions. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 1026, 549–554. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27928-8_83

Brito, M., Ramos, A. L., Carneiro, P., & Gonçalves, M. A. (2018). Lean M. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Safety, 2(2), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.24840/2184-0954

Brunner, S., Knott, V., & Bengler, K. (2022). Lean Ergonomics—are relevant synergies of digital human models and digital twins defining a new emerging subdiscipline? Zeitschrift Für Arbeitswissenschaft, 76(4), 401–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41449-022-00344-4

Brunner, S., Siebenbürger, M., Kühnel, K., & Bengler, K. (2024). Promoting human-centered manufacturing through Lean Ergonomics–a structural equation model for ergonomics and management data. Production and Manufacturing Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21693277.2024.2398086

Daneshmandi, H., Choobineh, A., Ghaem, H., & Karimi, M. (2017). Adverse Effects of Prolonged Sitting Behavior on the General Health of Office Workers. Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 7(2), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.15280/jlm.2017.7.2.69

Fan, J., Tan, X., Smith, A. P., & Wang, J. (2024). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue and stress among gas station workers in China: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 14(7), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081853

Gapp, R., Fisher, R., & Kobayashi, K. (2017). Implementing 5S within a Japanese context: An integrated management system. Management Decision, 46(4), 565–579. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740810865067

Gusti Naufal Paleva, F., Bambang Gusminto, E., & Budi Susanto, A. (2024). Volume 12 Nomor 3 Halaman 689-706 Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen Pengaruh transformational leadership dan self-efficacy terhadap job performance melalui employee engagement (studi kasus sektor publik di pemerintahan Kabupaten Jember). 12, 689–706.

Hidayatullah, S. R. (2022). Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat JURNAL ILMU KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 14(01), 93–112. https://journal.umg.ac.id/index.php/manajerial/article/view/10630

Hizam, A. S., Mohamed, N., & Nelfiyanti. (2024). Study of SME employees’ awareness level on lean manufacturing and ergonomics implementation in Malaysian and Indonesian production environments. Heliyon, 10(18), e38216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38216

Kadar, A. D., Astawan, M., Putri, S. P., & Fukusaki, E. (2020). Metabolomics based study of the effect of raw materials to the end product of tempe—an indonesian fermented soybean. Metabolites, 10(9), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10090367

Karnadi;, & Pramesthi, R. A. (2022). Universitas Abdurachman Saleh Situbondo Riska Ayu Pramesthi. 19(1), 80–97.

Kroemer, K. (2017). Fitting the Human: Introduction to Ergonomics / Human Factors Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315398389

Mulyana, I. J., Singgih, M. L., Partiwi, S. G., & Hermanto, Y. B. (2023). Identification and Prioritization of Lean Waste in Higher Education Institutions (HEI): A Proposed Framework. Education Sciences, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020137

Novari, I., & Ma’ruf, A. (2025). Implementasi Pengawasan Mutu dalam Proses Produksi Tempe Segar di Rumah Tempe Indonesia (RTI) Bogor. Karimah Tauhid, 4(9), 7286–7292. https://doi.org/10.30997/karimahtauhid.v4i9.21168

Rezki, A. S., Maksum, A. H., Herwanto, D., & Rahmat, M. T. (2023). Analisis Risiko Postur Kerja dengan Metode Nordic Body Map, RULA dan REBA pada Proses Manual Material Handling Pabrik Kecap. Jurnal Media Teknik Dan Sistem Industri, 7(2), 86. https://doi.org/10.35194/jmtsi.v7i2.2677

Ruliati, L., Adiputra, N., Sutjana, I., & Sutajaya, I. (2017). Modification of working conditions based on ergo THK reducing workload, muscle tension, and fatigue of rice milling workers in J village. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1902). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5010659

Santoso, M. H. B. (2023). Peran Mediasi Produktivitas Kerja Pada Hubungan Kompensasi,Lingkungan Kerja,Motivasi dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan (Study Pada Lupi Bakery). 6(0), 167–186.

Sharif, S., Ahmad, N., Pow Yean, C., Shaharuddin, G. S., & Tung Er, C. (2024). Exploring Listening Strategies in Language Learning. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(7), 65–81. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i7/21707

Strain, T., Flaxman, S., Guthold, R., Semenova, E., Cowan, M., Riley, L. M., Bull, F. C., Stevens, G. A., Abdul Raheem, R., Agoudavi, K., Alfred Anderssen, S., Alkhatib, W., Aly, E. A. H., Anjana, R. M., Bauman, A., Bovet, P., Brito Moniz, T., Bulotaitė, G., Caixeta, R., … Zoma, L. R. (2024). National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5·7 million participants. The Lancet Global Health, 12(8), e1232–e1243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00150-5

Suarbawa, J., Adiputra, N., Pangkahila, J., & Sutjana, I. (2016). Work Posture Improvement Using Ergonomic Approach Decreases Subjective Disorders of Perapen Workers on the Process of Nguwad Gamelan in Bali. International Research Journal of Engineering, IT & Scientific Research, 2, 7. https://doi.org/10.21744/irjeis.v2i9.164

Suarjana, I. W. G., Adiatmika, I. P., & Adnyana, I. (2018). Redesain alat pemarut kelapa mengurangi beban fisiologis dan meningkatkan produktivitas kerja pada pekerja industri adonan (luluh) sate di desa kaba-kaba kediri tabanan. Jurnal Ergonomi Indonesia (The Indonesian Journal of Ergonomic), 4, 39. https://doi.org/10.24843/JEI.2018.v04.i02.p05

Suhardi, B., Juwita, E., & Astuti, R. D. (2019). Facility layout improvement in sewing department with Systematic Layout planning and ergonomics approach. Cogent Engineering, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2019.1597412

Sumasto, F., Saputri, S. H., Awani, R. S., Maulana, A., Simanjuntak, K., Ismono, A., & Supardi, S. (2023). Penerapan Prinsip 5S untuk Mengurangi Waste Motion dalam Proses Layanan Galon R-Water. Jurnal Serambi Engineering, 9(1), 7788–7794. https://doi.org/10.32672/jse.v9i1.742

Susihono, W., & Adiatmika, I. P. G. (2021). The effects of ergonomic intervention on the musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue experienced by workers in the traditional metal casting industry. Heliyon, 7(2), e06171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06171

Winiarski, S., Molek-Winiarska, D., & Chomątowska, B. (2025). From Motion to Prevention: Evaluating Ergonomic Risks of Asymmetrical Movements and Worker Well-Being in an Assembly Line Work. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 15(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020560

Published

2026-05-06

How to Cite

Asih, E. W., Adiatmika, I. G., Muliarta, I. M., & Swamardika, I. A. (2026). Application of Lean Ergonomics to Reduce Motion Waste, Musculoskeletal Complaints, and Work Fatigue in Tempeh MSMEs. Bali Medical and Wellness Journal, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.71341/bmwj.v3i1.55

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.