Addressing Work Posture and Ergonomic Risk Factors in Traditional Batik-Making: A Case Study of MSME Batik Bakaran Juwana Workers

¹ Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Indonesia
² Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Islam Kadiri, Kediri, Indonesia

Abstract

This research was conducted on batik-making workers. Based on observations, the batik process making is done manually using inappropriate work postures and repetitive movements that can trigger complaints musculoskeletal. This research aims to analyze work posture and ergonomic risk factors in the process of making batik. The research method used is WERA and NERPA. The research was conducted at 8 stations with 10 activities carried out by 43 workers. The results of the WERA method show that there are 2 activities at the low-risk level and 8 activities at a medium-risk level, so the activities require further research and need changes. While the NERPA method showed that there were three activities with a score of 3 namely, two activities with a score of 4, two activities with a score of 6, and three activities with a score of 7. Activities with scores of 6 and 7 not only require further investigation but also require changes. These activities are cloth dyeing, cloth dyeing in dyeing tubs, cloth dyeing in boiling furnaces, cloth washing and cloth drying. Proposed improvements include using a table, raising the water tank, raising the stove, providing a water tank, and lowering the height of the drying area.