Analysis of workshop safety and productivity improvement in an engineering workshop

This study carries out an analysis of workshop safety and productivity improvement in an engineering workshop in a University setting. The problem stems from observations made during students’ workshop practicals, where concerns regarding fatigue, pain and low productivity were noted. To address these issues, a mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, and observation checklists, to gather data from 367 engineering students. Demographic analysis revealed that a significant proportion of respondents were final year students (58%), with varying levels of workshop usage. Findings also showed that there is a mixed view among students regarding the workshop environment. While a majority perceive the workshop as organised and efficient (58.1% agree), concerns exist regarding cleanliness (only 35.5% agree) and tool accessibility (only 32.3% agree). Safety perceptions reveal that while most students (83.9%) reported never experiencing musculoskeletal injuries, only 48.3% feel confident in the workshop’s safety. Furthermore, productivity challenges are evident, with a significant number of students (45.2%) finding it difficult to complete project in the workshop. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to address identified concerns, including improvements in workshop organization, maintenance, safety measures, and productivity enhancements, implementing these recommendations can contribute to creating a safer, more efficient, and student-friendly workshop environment. Keywords: Workshop Safety, Productivity Improvement, Engineering Students, Engineering Workshop.