Efecto de la rotación de puestos en la salud ocupacional de trabajadores del proceso de empaquetado en una industria alimenticia.

Abstract

This case study analyzes the effects of job rotation on occupational health in the manual packaging area of a food industry located in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The research identified ergonomic risks related to forced postures, repetitive movements, and long 12-hour shifts. Through the application of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the REBA method, it was found that the most affected body regions are the wrist (75%), shoulders (50%), and lower back (45%). Although the company has implemented job rotation, the results demonstrate that this measure alone is not effective in reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), since pain and accumulated fatigue persist. The analysis concludes that job rotation becomes more effective when combined with ergonomic redesign of workstations, active breaks, and training programs. Furthermore, considering individual worker characteristics (age, experience, physical condition) is essential to achieve real prevention, improving both employees’ health and sustainable productivity within the company.