Sidoarjo — Work tools designed to match workers’ body dimensions and physical capabilities can help reduce fatigue, improve comfort, and support productivity in the workplace. Gempur Santoso from the Industrial Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif Sidoarjo, discusses the importance of applying ergonomic principles in an article published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in 2026. The review highlights that work fatigue is not determined solely by individual conditions but is also influenced by equipment design, body posture, workload, rest periods, and the working environment.
Work fatigue is a significant concern because it can reduce concentration, cause physical discomfort, and increase the risk of mistakes during work. Employees who must bend for extended periods, reach too far for tools, lift heavy objects, or perform repetitive movements may experience greater physical strain. When these conditions persist without adequate improvements and recovery, workers may find it increasingly difficult to maintain their performance throughout the working day.
In the article titled Ergonomic Work Tools to Reduce Labor Fatigue, Santoso explains that unsuitable facilities and non-ergonomic working environments are important factors that can increase the risk of fatigue. Ergonomics is an approach that adapts work tasks, equipment, and environmental conditions to human characteristics. Rather than forcing employees to adjust to unsuitable tools or facilities, ergonomic design considers the capabilities and limitations of the human body when developing safer and more comfortable work systems.
The article uses a literature review method, examining books, scientific journal articles, previous research findings, and academic publications related to ergonomics and work fatigue. Information from these sources is compared and described to identify connections between equipment conditions, body posture, physical workload, and fatigue risk. Because the article is based on a literature review, it synthesizes existing concepts and findings rather than reporting a direct experiment or fatigue measurements involving a specific group of workers.
The review indicates that matching work tools to employees’ physical characteristics and job requirements is one way to help reduce muscle strain and unnecessary movements. Unsuitable equipment may force workers to maintain uncomfortable positions, bend for prolonged periods, or perform excessive repetitive movements. In contrast, tools designed around workers’ body dimensions and the nature of their tasks can help them maintain more natural postures and perform their duties more comfortably.
Ergonomic improvements can take different forms depending on the type of work. For jobs performed while sitting, chair and desk heights should support a comfortable body position. In activities involving the movement of heavy objects, mechanical lifting aids can reduce the physical burden placed on workers. For tasks that require repetitive movements, equipment and materials should be positioned to minimize excessive reaching and unnecessary motions.
Santoso also emphasizes that fatigue cannot be addressed simply by replacing or improving equipment. Working hours, activity intensity, health conditions, rest quality, and environmental factors also influence workers’ physical condition. Uncomfortable temperatures, inadequate lighting, and poorly arranged facilities can increase discomfort during work. Ergonomic improvements therefore need to include appropriate rest schedules, workload management, better workplace layouts, and training on proper posture and safe working techniques.
The article discusses heart rate and oxygen consumption as indicators that can help explain the body’s response to physical workloads. Heart rate may change during activity, but it is also influenced by environmental temperature, health, fitness, and emotional conditions. Meanwhile, maximal oxygen uptake, commonly known as VO₂ max, describes the body’s maximum capacity to use oxygen during intense physical activity. These indicators must be interpreted according to their specific functions and should not be used independently to determine whether a worker is experiencing fatigue.
The review also cautions against treating the energy expenditure range of 5–5.2 kilocalories per minute mentioned in the discussion as a universal limit for every worker and occupation. Physical demands differ across jobs, and individuals have different levels of physical capacity. Workload assessments should consider posture, muscle demands, workers’ complaints, activity duration, and the time available for recovery.
For companies and occupational safety and health managers, the findings highlight the importance of integrating ergonomics into everyday workplace management. Companies can begin by identifying tasks that generate the most physical complaints, involving workers in equipment selection, and assessing whether improvements deliver meaningful benefits. Evaluation can include observing work postures before and after changes, recording physical complaints, assessing perceived fatigue, and monitoring relevant productivity indicators.
Workers also contribute to ergonomic practices by using equipment according to established procedures, avoiding excessive bending or twisting, making appropriate use of rest periods, and reporting physical complaints that arise during work. However, responsibility for safe working conditions does not rest with employees alone. Employers and workplace managers need to ensure that facilities, equipment, schedules, and workloads are designed with human safety and physical capabilities in mind.
Santoso emphasizes that the benefits of ergonomic tools must be evaluated under actual workplace conditions. Suitable equipment can potentially improve comfort, help manage fatigue risks, and support productivity, but its effectiveness also depends on other factors. Since the article is based on a literature review, further field research is needed to measure changes in fatigue levels before and after ergonomic improvements. Direct assessments could help companies identify interventions that best match the specific tasks and needs of their workforce.
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