Ergonomic risk incorporated schedules (ERIS)-scheduling using genetic algorithm to reduce operator fatigue in flow-shop based cells

We address the task of scheduling jobs in a flow-line cell with due consideration to human fatigue at work. A method for sequencing tasks using principles of flow-shop with a procedure to shift tasks/jobs among workers is proposed. The aim is to attain sustained productivity in a labour intensive working environment over an entire shift and enhance long term safety of workers by focusing on human factors. We incorporate human factors into classical scheduling models and develop a GA based heuristic. These are tested over trial data-sets and found to give encouraging results. The model demonstrates how ergonomic factors can be incorporated and what modification it needs from the classical flow shop sequencing models. Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.