International Journal of Latest Engineering Research and Applications (IJLERA) ISSN: 2455-7137 Volume –04, Issue – 12, December 2019, PP – 44-50 www.ijlera.com 2019 IJLERA – All Right Reserved 44 | Page Implementation of the Lean Ergonomic Approach to Improving the Performance of a Sausage Process Mauricio López Acosta 1 , Ana Karina Barreras Rodríguez, José Manuel Velarde Cantú, Susana García Vilches 1 (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Mexico Abstract: This study presents the integration of two tools little explored by Small and Medium Enterprises in Mexico: Lean systems with Ergonomics; a case study of application is documented where the main tools used were Value Stream Mapping, SIPOC, Kaizen, REBA Method and NIOSH. As a result, the activities with the greatest risk, waste of time and movements, postures and inadequate procedures were obtained during their operations that delay and affect the flow of the process. After implementing the proposals, a reduction was presented by 33.18% of the cycle time, making the process more efficient. This app can give a new approach to use in improving sME productivity. Keywords: Efficiency, Ergonomics, Lean Manufacturing, Process Improvement I. INTRODUCTION Competition, continuous change and customer demand force organizations to be in constant search of options that allow them to generate greater profitability, productivity and efficiency of their operations; to generate competitive advantages over their competition and to respond to the challenges exposed by the market [1]. However, because of its characteristics, it is common for SMEs to lack a formal structure in the management of their operations, for the same person to perform different functions; this lack of specialization leads SMEs to develop low-level logistics activities due to the lack of technical knowledge and incorrect application of the supply chain concept, having this impact on their productivity [2]. Some Studies[3] comment that one of the most important issues in SMEs is the search for profitability based on production, and over time a myriad of techniques have been developed to meet this great need. However, they mostly do not implement such tools because of the lack of information about their existence and how to implement them [4]. One of the currently recognized tools for analysis and improvement in organizations is The Slender Manufacturing, which allows for a focus beyond operations, its tools are used to reduce waste in human effort and management of operations throughout the supply chain [5]. It is considered a very powerful tool to make improvements in organizations. In [6] mention that if their implementation is carried out correctly, the company will result in the elimination of all operations that do not add value to the product, service and processes, the increase in the value of each activity carried out, eliminating what is not required, reducing waste and improving operations, always based on respect for the worker, just as tangible, measurable and significant improvements in competitiveness will be achieved. One of the tasks to be done by organizations is the attention to waste known as "human effort" being Ergonomics the ideal tool that allows the analysis and understanding of the interactions of a system in order to optimize the well-being human and the general system, applying techniques to the design of the task and the workstation to adapt them to its user and thus reduce the risk factors, the most common being manual load handling, postural load and repetitiveness. Investigations[7] mention that some research has extensively analyzed the impact of slender thinking on workers' health and safety, and have shown that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) lead to a loss productivity due to a higher rate of absenteeism and injuries. In this way the integration of Ergonomics during the implementation of lean manufacturing has the potential to achieve improvements in productivity and at the same time improve working conditions. 1.1 Case Study In the organization under study, efficiency represents one of the most important elements of analysis, it is for this reason that different projects have been carried out in the processes, with the benefit of saving unnecessary movements and reduction in waste, up to 6 hours. However, risk situations have occurred to the operator, and their consequences have been translated into 2017 statistics, where lumbar injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis and shoulder pains are recorded; which resulted in casualties to the efficiency of the processes resulting from not working under the required conditions (slips, falls, fatigue, back pain, shoulders,