Ergonomic governance and workplace integrity in workforce diversity: A digital approach to musculoskeletal risk assessment in Malaysian automotive manufacturing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/jgi.9.1.2026.14393Keywords:
Digital ergonomics, Musculoskeletal disorders, Ergonomic governance, Workplace integrity, Automotive assemblyAbstract
The Malaysian automotive manufacturing sector remains vulnerable to work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to repetitive movements, forceful exertions, prolonged static standing, and awkward postures. Although the case study organization is a European-owned automotive assembly plant in Pahang, Malaysia that has implemented standard ergonomic interventions such as height-adjustable platforms, torque-reducing power tools, and scheduled rest breaks, workstation observations and managerial consultations reveal that older and female operators continue to experience persistent discomfort in the neck, back, shoulders, wrists, and hands. This indicates that traditional "one-size-fits-all" ergonomic frameworks fail to account for physiological and anthropometric workforce diversity, creating issues of workplace equity and governance. This study proposes the ErgoRisk System, a desktop-based decision-support framework designed for preliminary ergonomic risk screening, longitudinal documentation, and transparent governance tracking. Adapted from the principles of Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), the system integrates task-based physical risk parameters with demographic risk modifiers (age, gender, height) and worker health status. This paper presents the theoretical framework, database architecture, and scoring logic of the ErgoRisk System while detailing a multi-stage empirical validation pathway. By embedding worker diversity and integrity-driven data policies into digital risk assessment, the framework supports human-centered design, operational governance, workplace equity, and corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance within Industry 5.0 manufacturing environments.
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