Ergonomic Risk Assessment Combining the Bees Algorithm and Simulation Tools

This study proposes a methodology for integrating the use of the Bees Algorithm (BA) and simulation to reduce the workload for workers on production and assembly lines. Simulation is first employed for retrieving ergonomics data for different workers. Then, the BA is used as a tool for optimising the job rotations of the workers among the workstations, considering as objective the minimisation of the 2 indices, the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System (OWAS) and Energy Expenditure (EE). A case study related to a car assembly line is then proposed to test the methodology. Six workstations (WSs) are considered in this study, and the BA is validated by comparing its results with the exact solution evaluated by analysing all the possible combinations. The results show the good accuracy of the BA in finding solutions for this type of problem and the capacity to reduce the computational times compared with those of the exact solution.