Work Study

Introduction

The subject of work study covers the systematic investigation of the human activities necessary to perform a given task economically.

Work Study

1. To find out the most economical way of doing work

2. Standardize the methods, materials, tools and equipment

3. Accurately determining the time required by a qualified and experienced worker at normal pace to do the work at a defined level of performance

4. Assisting in the training of the workers on new methods

Objectives of Work Study

Work study is classified in two areas

Method Study

Work Measurement

Classification of Work Study

Method Study

It is the systematic recording and critical examination of existing and proposed ways of doing work as a means of developing and applying easier and most effective methods and reducing cost.

Definition of Method Study

a) To improve the process and procedureb) To improve the workplace layoutc) To design the efficient equipmentd) Economy in human effort and reduction in

unnecessary fatiguee) Improvement in the use of materials,

machines and manpowerf) Development of better working

environment

Objectives of Method Study

1. Select the job to be studied 2. Record the relevant facts and data about

the present method by direct observation3. Analyze or examine these data/facts

critically 4. Develop an improved method5. Define the new method6. Install the improved new method7. Maintain the new method

Procedure of Method Study

The job with the following characteristics is more suitable for method studyi. Jobs with large work content ii. Jobs with long delivery schedulesiii. Jobs with large man or machine idle timeiv. Jobs with poor interest of the workersv. Jobs with large variations in the outputvi. Jobs with quality variations

1. Select the job

The most commonly used techniques for the recording of facts and data are charts and diagrams.

These charts can be classified in three typesi. Process Charts ii. Activity Charts iii. Movement Charts

2. Record the Facts and Data

Operation – O : Indicates the main steps in a process, method or procedure.

Inspection - □ : Indicates an inspection for quality and/or check for quantity.

Transport - ∆ : Indicates the movement of workers, material, or equipment from place to place, except when such movements are a part of an operation or caused by inspection

Symbols to Identify activity

Delay – D : Indicates delay in sequence of events

Storage - ∇ : Indicates the controlled storage in which the material is received into or issued from storage.

Symbols to Identify activity

They can be further divided into ◦ Operation or outline process charts◦ Flow Process charts

i. Process Charts

Process chart

They can be further divided into

◦ Man-machine chart◦ Left hand-right hand activity chart

ii. Activity Charts

They can be further divided into◦ Travel Charts◦ Flow Diagrams◦ String Diagrams

iii. Movement Charts

The data regarding the existing method is examined systematically. The area of investigation includes◦ Purpose ◦ Place◦ Person◦ Sequence◦ Means

The investigation gathers information about the best possible alternative in each area of all activities one by one

3. Analyze

The analysis of existing methods leads to the development of alternative method.

The alternative method is modified as a result of practical trials and tests until a new practical method is developed

4. Develop

After Practical Test the activities of the new method are defined as written standards.

It is important that the improved method is properly defined as a written standard practice for future reference and periodic follow up

5. Define

To install the improved method in practice, the workers are first trained about the improved method.

After the training of the workers the improved methods is then adopted in actual practice

6. Install

Periodic follow up of the standard or improved method is necessary to ensure that the method is actually being practiced as defined.

7. Maintain

Work Measurment

It involves the application of time study techniques designed to establish the time for a qualified worker to carry out a specified job at a desired level of performance

Defination

The aim of time study is to establish a standard time for a given task, which may be taken as a basis of loading, scheduling, wage payment and incentive schemes etc.

The study is carried out on jobs which have been standardized after method study.

Time Study

It is defined as the time taken by a qualified and experienced worker to perform a given task while working at normal speed or tempo

A worker working at normal tempo is rated as 100

Normal time = Observed time X Rating/100

Normal time

The mental comparison of the tempos or speed of working of a worker with the normal tempo or speed of work is called rating

◦ On a scale taking index of 100 for normal a faster worker might get a rating of 105, 110, 115 etc and a slower worker might get a rating of 95, 90, 85 etc.

Rating

A fast worker rated 120 takes 8 mins to do a task and a slow worker rated 80 takes 12 mins to do a task find the normal time of the taskNormal time = Observed time X Rating/100 For 1st worker NT = 8X120/100 = 9.6 minsFor 2nd worker NT = 12X 80/100= 9.6 mins

◦ The normal time of a task is irrespective of a worker speed.

Example Normal Time

Standard time = Normal Time + Allowances

In actual condition it is not possible for a worker to work continuously for 8 hours. Thus Various allowances are allowed to the worker.

I. Personal Allowance --- 5%II. Process Allowance --- 0-10%III. Fatigue Allowance --- 0-10%IV. Delay Allowance --- 0-5%V. Policy Allowance --- Depends upon company

Total of 15-25% allowances may be added to normal time for determining standard time.

Standard Time

Work SamplingIt will be out next lecture

DISCUSSION