by Work study in material handling involves analyzing and improving the processes and systems used for the movement, storage, and control of materials within a facility or organization.
The goal of work study in material handling is to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve safety within a facility. This can have a significant impact on the bottom line of an organization, as well as the well-being of employees who are responsible for handling materials.
This can include tasks such as:
- Identifying the most efficient and effective way to move materials within a facility.
- Designing and implementing systems for storing materials in a way that maximizes space and accessibility.
- Analyzing the flow of materials through a facility to identify and eliminate bottlenecks and other inefficiencies.
- Developing and implementing procedures for the safe and efficient handling of materials.
- Selecting and implementing appropriate equipment and technology to aid in material handling tasks.
Method study and work measurement are two important techniques used in industrial engineering to improve the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing processes.
Method Study:
Method study is a systematic approach to analyzing and improving work processes in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste. This technique involves the following steps:
- Selecting the work process to be studied.
- Observing and analyzing the work process to identify areas of waste, inefficiency, and potential improvement.
- Developing and evaluating alternative methods for performing the work process.
- Selecting the most effective method and implementing it.
- Monitoring the performance of the new method and making further improvements as necessary.
Method study is often used in conjunction with other industrial engineering techniques, such as value stream mapping, to identify and eliminate waste throughout the entire manufacturing process.
Work Measurement:
Work measurement is a technique used to determine the time required to perform a specific task or work process. This information is used to establish work standards, which can then be used to measure performance, allocate resources, and plan production schedules. Work measurement involves the following steps:
- Selecting the task or work process to be measured.
- Breaking the task down into its component parts or elements.
- Determining the time required to perform each element using a variety of techniques, such as time studies, predetermined time systems, or work sampling.
- Analyzing the data to establish work standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
Work measurement can also be used to establish labor budgets, which can help managers allocate resources more effectively and efficiently. However, it is important to note that work measurement should be used in conjunction with other techniques, such as method study and value stream mapping, to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiency throughout the entire manufacturing process.
Importance of Method Study and Work Measurement:
Method study and work measurement are important techniques in industrial engineering because they help organizations increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability. By eliminating waste, reducing cycle times, and improving quality, organizations can improve their competitiveness and respond more effectively to changing customer demands. Additionally, these techniques can help organizations improve safety and working conditions, which can boost employee morale and reduce the risk of accidents.
Objectives of Method Study:
The objectives of method study include:
- Improving efficiency: Method study aims to eliminate waste and inefficiencies in work processes in order to improve productivity and reduce costs.
- Improving quality: By analyzing work processes and identifying areas of waste and inefficiency, method study can help organizations improve the quality of their products or services.
- Improving safety: Method study can help organizations identify and eliminate hazardous work practices, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Improving job satisfaction: By simplifying work processes and eliminating unnecessary tasks, method study can help employees feel more engaged and satisfied with their work.
Objectives of Work Measurement:
The objectives of work measurement include:
- Establishing work standards: Work measurement can be used to establish work standards, which can help organizations measure performance, allocate resources, and plan production schedules.
- Identifying opportunities for improvement: By measuring the time required to perform specific tasks or work processes, work measurement can help organizations identify opportunities for improvement and eliminate waste and inefficiencies.
- Allocating resources: Work measurement can help organizations allocate resources more effectively and efficiently by providing accurate estimates of the time required to perform specific tasks.
Application areas of Method Study and Work Measurement:
Method study and work measurement are widely used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and service industries. Some common application areas include:
- Manufacturing: Method study and work measurement can be used to improve the efficiency and quality of manufacturing processes, from assembly lines to production facilities.
- Healthcare: Method study and work measurement can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of healthcare processes, such as patient care and medication dispensing.
- Transportation: Method study and work measurement can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation processes, such as loading and unloading cargo and managing logistics.
- Service industries: Method study and work measurement can be used to improve the efficiency and quality of service industries, such as retail, hospitality, and banking.
Pros and Cons of Method Study:
Pros:
- Improved efficiency: Method study helps organizations identify inefficiencies and waste in work processes, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity.
- Improved quality: By eliminating unnecessary steps and improving work processes, method study can improve the quality of products or services.
- Improved safety: Method study can help organizations identify and eliminate hazardous work practices, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Reduced costs: By improving efficiency and productivity, method study can help organizations reduce costs.
Cons:
- Time-consuming: Method study can be a time-consuming process, particularly for complex work processes.
- Resistance to change: Employees may be resistant to changes in work processes, particularly if they are used to working in a certain way.
- Costly: Implementing changes identified through method study can be costly, particularly if new equipment or technology is required.
- Lack of expertise: Method study requires specialized knowledge and expertise, which may be lacking in some organizations.
Pros and Cons of Work Measurement:
Pros:
- Establishes work standards: Work measurement can be used to establish work standards, which can help organizations measure performance, allocate resources, and plan production schedules.
- Identifies inefficiencies: By measuring the time required to perform specific tasks or work processes, work measurement can help organizations identify inefficiencies and waste.
- Improves resource allocation: Work measurement can help organizations allocate resources more effectively and efficiently by providing accurate estimates of the time required to perform specific tasks.
- Provides objective data: Work measurement provides objective data that can be used to make informed decisions about work processes.
Cons:
- Can be intrusive: The process of work measurement can be intrusive, requiring employees to be observed and monitored.
- Limited applicability: Work measurement may not be applicable to all work processes or job roles, particularly those that involve a high degree of variation or complexity.
- Can be time-consuming: Work measurement can be a time-consuming process, particularly for complex work processes.
- May not account for variability: Work measurement may not account for variability in work processes or job roles, which can impact the accuracy of the data collected.
