The theory of constrai̇nts solution of OHS problems in furniture production: An application based on data envelopment analysis

THE THEORY OF CONSTRAİNTS SOLUTION OF OHS PROBLEMS IN FURNITURE PRODUCTION: AN APPLICATION BASED ON DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS With the development of industry and technology, significant progress has been made in the transition to automation in production processes. As a result of these advances, it has reached to the stage of establishing largely human-independent systems. However, these developments did not eliminate the problems in terms of occupational health and safety (OHS). Problems are experienced in some enterprises in the same way as in the labor intensive period and in some enterprises they have changed their form. In this context, it is possible to state that OHS is still a vital issue for enterprises. In this study, an applied research has been carried out to solve OHS problems in enterprises. The research was carried out to cover all production processes in a factory operating in the furniture sector. In this context, the research was planned in two stages. In the first stage, it is aimed to identify ineffective parts in production processes. For this purpose, data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique was used. Data required for DEA were obtained by using ergonomic measuring instruments and survey method. Data were analyzed by technical measurement with input oriented Charnes Cooper Rhodes (CCR) model. As a result of the analysis, the iron workshop and furniture production department were identified as the units that need improvement in the factory. After determining the units which are ineffective in terms of OHS, in the second stage, studies were made to solve the problems with the theory of contraints (TOC) technique. The Current Reality Tree (CRT) has shown that the main problem in ineffective units is the lack of OHS culture in the enterprise. With the Evaporated Cloud (EC), solutions were offered for the elimination of deficiencies, and the Future Reality Tree expressed the situation to be solved by solving the problems. Key words: Occupational Health and Safety, Theory of Constraint, Process Improvement, Thought Processes, Data Envelopment Analysis.