International Journal of Industrial Engineering & Production Research
Iran University of Science & Technology
Fri, Oct 30, 2026
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1- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta , chandradewiuajy3@gmail.com
2- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta
2- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta
Abstract: (38 Views)
Cold storage preserves the quality of frozen fishery products, but the low temperatures that protect the products expose warehouse workers to cold stress. Engineering controls that shorten the time workers spend in the cold are preferred over measures that rely on behavioural change, yet layout-based interventions in the cold storage of tropical fishing industries have rarely been examined. This study aimed to reduce workers' exposure time in the cold storage of a fishing company in Central Java, Indonesia, through layout reengineering. Products were classified with ABC analysis based on retrieval frequency, and three layout alternatives were developed under explicit spatial constraints (pallet and hand pallet truck dimensions, minimum aisle clearance, cooling-unit zones, and a required capacity of 108 pallets).
The U-shaped second alternative, with a capacity of 115 pallets compared with 103 in the existing layout, was selected and partially implemented, and storage and retrieval times were compared before and after implementation. Mean storage time decreased by 31.20% (8.53 to 5.87 min) and mean retrieval time by 46.75% (18.26 to 9.73 min; Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.001 for both), and the share of retrieval tasks lasting longer than the 10-min exposure target fell from 100% to 27%. Because no physiological measures were collected after implementation, these results indicate a reduction in time-at-risk per task rather than a demonstrated reduction in cold-related health outcomes. Layout reengineering is therefore a low-cost engineering control that can complement protective clothing, training, and work–warm-up scheduling in cold-stress management.
The U-shaped second alternative, with a capacity of 115 pallets compared with 103 in the existing layout, was selected and partially implemented, and storage and retrieval times were compared before and after implementation. Mean storage time decreased by 31.20% (8.53 to 5.87 min) and mean retrieval time by 46.75% (18.26 to 9.73 min; Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.001 for both), and the share of retrieval tasks lasting longer than the 10-min exposure target fell from 100% to 27%. Because no physiological measures were collected after implementation, these results indicate a reduction in time-at-risk per task rather than a demonstrated reduction in cold-related health outcomes. Layout reengineering is therefore a low-cost engineering control that can complement protective clothing, training, and work–warm-up scheduling in cold-stress management.
Keywords: Cold storage layout, ABC classification, Exposure time, Cold stress, Occupational ergonomics
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics
Received: 2025/04/14 | Accepted: 2026/10/26
Received: 2025/04/14 | Accepted: 2026/10/26
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