Sustainable work for human centred manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing is a term mainly used with reference to processes which eliminate or reduce waste, chemical substances or physical agents hazardous to human health and environment, spare energy and materials as much as possible. Less attention is generally given to social problems and working conditions: but sustainable manufacturing means also sustainable work, seen as a mix of physical and mental safety, satisfaction, acceptable working times, dignitous salary, opportunity of learning, to improve one’s professional knowledge and competence. After an introduction dealing with the theories on work organization and related industrial experiences, the paper outlines the main problems of the assembly work and proposes some solutions for a future sustainable workplace in assembly processes