Analysis of Physical and Mental Workload Measurement on Container-Loading Man Power in a Finished-Goods Warehouse Using the 10-Pulse Method and the Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME)
Keywords:
10-Pulse Method, Cardiovascular Load, Container Loading, Mental Workload, Rating Scale Mental EffortAbstract
Container-loading work in finished-goods warehouses combines repetitive manual handling with time pressure, yet physical and mental workload are rarely classified together for each operator. This descriptive quantitative field study assessed ten male container-loading operators at a snack-food manufacturer in Indonesia (January–March 2025). Physical workload was measured with the 10-pulse method and expressed as cardiovascular load (%CVL, numerically identical to %heart rate reserve), using an estimated maximum pulse (220 − age). Mental workload was rated on six indicators with a 0–100 questionnaire adapted from the Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME). Mean %CVL was 31.0%, and five of ten operators exceeded the 30% threshold (highest 51.63%). Mean mental workload was 72.0 (High); all operators scored High or Very High, and three scored Very High (≥ 80). Work fatigue was the dominant indicator (19.7%), whereas work difficulty contributed least (13.0%). Cross-classifying both measures identified two operators (MP A, MP D) with simultaneously elevated physical and mental workload. Scheduled recovery breaks, pacing adjustments, and occupational safety training are proposed. Findings are descriptive, based on a small single-site sample and an estimated maximum pulse, and require validation in larger studies.
References
Adamy, M. R. (2022). RSI (Relative Stress Index) based cognitive measurement model with NASA-TLX, RSME (Rating Scale Mental Effort Index) and GHQ-12 methods (case study: sales marketing). PROZIMA (Productivity, Optimization and Manufacturing System Engineering), 6(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/prozima.v6i2.1582
Albuquerque, I., Tiwari, A., Parent, M., Cassani, R., Gagnon, J., Lafond, D., Tremblay, S., & Falk, T. (2020). WAUC: A multi-modal database for mental workload assessment under physical activity. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.549524
Amol, & Pandit, S. (2023). Physiological workload assessment with the help of heart rate and perceived exertion rating on handcart pullers of wholesale trade markets of Delhi. National Medical Journal of India, 36, 89–92. https://doi.org/10.25259/NMJI_855_20
Azizah, F. N., Rinaldi, D. N., & Al-Muqaffa, F. W. (2025). Assessing mental workload of automotive factory employees using NASA-TLX and RSME methods. Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Industri, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.23917/jiti.v24i01.8363
Azizy, A. R., & Novita, R. (2024). Workload analysis using the Full-Time Equivalent and Rating Scale Mental Effort methods in the production division. Journal La Multiapp, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.37899/journallamultiapp.v5i1.1587
Charles, R., & Nixon, J. (2019). Measuring mental workload using physiological measures: A systematic review. Applied Ergonomics, 74, 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2018.08.028
Diarra, M., Theurel, J., & Paty, B. (2025). Systematic review of neurophysiological assessment techniques and metrics for mental workload evaluation in real-world settings. Frontiers in Neuroergonomics, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnrgo.2025.1584736
Dias, M., Silva, L., Folgado, D., Nunes, M. L., Cepeda, C., Cheetham, M., & Gamboa, H. (2023). Cardiovascular load assessment in the workplace: A systematic review. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 96, 103476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103476
Ding, Y., Cao, Y., Duffy, V., Wang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2020). Measurement and identification of mental workload during simulated computer tasks with multimodal methods and machine learning. Ergonomics, 63, 896–908. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2020.1759699
Fais, M., Ayu, G., Deviyanti, S., Tjandra, S., Mohamad, S., Lapai, Y., & Syahrir, M. (2024). Evaluation of employee mental workload using the Rating Scale Mental Effort and KAUPK2 method in the production process of spoon making PT. VRIZ. Jurnal Optimalisasi, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.35308/jopt.v10i2.9911
Fogelberg, E., Cao, H., & Thorvald, P. (2025). Cognitive ergonomics: Triangulation of physiological, subjective, and performance-based mental workload assessments. Frontiers in Industrial Engineering. https://doi.org/10.3389/fieng.2025.1605975
Fox, S. M., Naughton, J. P., & Haskell, W. L. (1971). Physical activity and the prevention of coronary heart disease. Annals of Clinical Research, 3(6), 404–432.
Hart, S. G. (2006). NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX); 20 years later. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 50(9), 904–908. https://doi.org/10.1177/154193120605000909
Hart, S. G., & Staveland, L. E. (1988). Development of NASA-TLX (Task Load Index): Results of empirical and theoretical research. In P. A. Hancock & N. Meshkati (Eds.), Human mental workload (pp. 139–183). North-Holland. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4115(08)62386-9
Hermansyah, M. S. A., & Handayani, N. U. (2022). NASA-TLX assessment of mental workload in manufacturing industry. Spektrum Industri, 20(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.12928/si.v20i2.43
Iman, N., Firmansyah, N. A., & Himayati, A. I. (2025). The evaluation of mental workload using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) method on production department employees. Sainteks: Jurnal Sain dan Teknik, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.37577/sainteks.v7i01.858
Inegbedion, H., Inegbedion, E., Peter, A., & Harry, L. (2020). Perception of workload balance and employee job satisfaction in work organisations. Heliyon, 6(1), e03160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03160
Karvonen, M. J., Kentala, E., & Mustala, O. (1957). The effects of training on heart rate: A longitudinal study. Annales Medicinae Experimentalis et Biologiae Fenniae, 35(3), 307–315.
Malik, R., Afiah, I. N., Dahlan, M., Hw, Z., Nur, T., & Iswandi, R. (2021). Analysis of Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME) to determine the mental workload of workers at sugar factory in South Sulawesi. Prosiding Seminar Nasional PASTI, 130–136. https://doi.org/10.22441/pasti.2021.v15i2.002
Nugroho, A., & Amalia. (2025). Study of physical and mental workload in the small-scale tofu industry: An ergonomic perspective using cardiovascular load and NASA-TLX. MORFAI Journal, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.54443/morfai.v5i1.2653
Rachmuddin, Y., Dewi, D. S., & Dewi, R. S. (2021). Workload analysis using Modified Full Time Equivalent (M-FTE) and NASA-TLX methods to optimize engineer headcount in the engineering services department. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1072(1), 012036. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1072/1/012036
Rahayu, M. (2020). Analisis beban kerja fisiologis mahasiswa saat praktikum analisa perancangan kerja dengan menggunakan metode 10 denyut. Unistek, 7(1), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.33592/unistek.v7i1.463
Robergs, R. A., & Landwehr, R. (2002). The surprising history of the “HRmax = 220 − age” equation. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 5(2), 1–10.
Rosyada, Z., & Harnikova, C. N. (2026). Analysis of the mental workload of warehouse workers using the NASA-TLX method in the garment industry. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2026.30.3.1593
Said, S., Gozdzik, M., Roche, T. R., Braun, J., Rossler, J., Kaserer, A., Spahn, D. R., Nothiger, C. B., & Tscholl, D. W. (2020). Validation of the raw National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire to assess perceived workload in patient monitoring tasks: Pooled analysis study using mixed models. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e19472. https://doi.org/10.2196/19472
Saputra, R., Rahdiana, N., & Karnadi, K. (2025). Analysis of employee mental workload using the NASA-TLX method (case study at PT. ABC). G-Tech: Jurnal Teknologi Terapan, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.70609/gtech.v9i1.6536
Satria, D., Tiara, T., & Widjajanto, T. (2023). Analisis beban kerja fisik menggunakan metode Cardiovascular Load dan beban kerja mental menggunakan metode Rating Scale Mental Effort pada PT Citra Abadi Sejati Bogor. Jurnal Teknologi dan Manajemen, 21(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.52330/jtm.v21i1.77
Septiani, W., Rusy, R. I. P. R., & Adisuwiryo, S. A. (2024). Minimize mental workload and fatigue of horizontal directional drilling worker using Rating Scale Mental Effort and Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory methods. Jurnal Teknik Industri, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.25105/jti.v14i2.21084
Sinaga, S., & Ramdhani, A. Y. (2025). Analysis of employees mental workload with multiple tasks in halal product process assistance services using the Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME) method at BBSPJIKB Yogyakarta. Dinamika Kerajinan dan Batik: Majalah Ilmiah, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.22322/dkb.v42i2.8750
Sufyan, A. A. S., Mulyana, Y., Kusumadewi, A., & Santang, I. E. (2024). Physical and mental workload measurement on warehouse division operators of PT.X using objective workload and subjective workload assessment. Sainteks: Jurnal Sain dan Teknik, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.37577/sainteks.v6i2.786
Tanaka, H., Monahan, K. D., & Seals, D. R. (2001). Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 37(1), 153–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(00)01054-8
Tao, D., Tan, H., Wang, H., Zhang, X., Qu, X., & Zhang, T. (2019). A systematic review of physiological measures of mental workload. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152716
Tarwaka. (2011). Ergonomi industri: Dasar-dasar pengetahuan ergonomi dan aplikasi di tempat kerja. Harapan Press.
Tarwaka, Bakri, S. H. A., & Sudiajeng, L. (2004). Ergonomi untuk keselamatan, kesehatan kerja dan produktivitas. UNIBA Press.
Wahlstrom, V., Abtahi, F., Forsman, M., Yang, L., Ohrner, P., Tornevi, A., Stjernbrandt, A., Lewis, C., & Slunga Jarvholm, L. (2025). Cardiovascular load and physical capacity in older workers engaged in physically demanding occupations. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02161-8
Wang, P., Houghton, R., & Majumdar, A. (2024). Detecting and predicting pilot mental workload using heart rate variability: A systematic review. Sensors, 24(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/s24123723
Widyanti, A., Johnson, A., & de Waard, D. (2013). Adaptation of the Rating Scale Mental Effort (RSME) for use in Indonesia. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 43(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2012.11.003
Zijlstra, F. R. H. (1993). Efficiency in work behaviour: A design approach for modern tools [Doctoral dissertation, Delft University of Technology]. Delft University Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Unified Systems Approach for Human centered Operations (USAHO)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
