ERGONOMICS

ERGON --> WORK

NOMOS --> LAW

The Laws to be Observed at Work

Human Factor Engineering Human Factors Engineering

Physical and mental work capacity Industrial design Fatigue Work place design Body forces, strength and posture Product design Body sizes Furniture design Thermal comfort/ heat stress/cold stress Machine design Vision Ventilation Hearing Lighting

Perception Acoustics Information processing Engineering control Decision making (Chemical & Physical) Performance and efficiency Building orientation Adaptation and rehabilitation Maintenance Behavior & social relations

Ergonomics

Ergonomics means literally the study or measurement of Work

In addition to work as labour for monetary gain, work also includesSportsLeisure activitiesDomestic workEducation and trainingHealth and social services

Ergonomics considers human operators variability

An automobile design has to consider– Range of physical size and strengths

of users– Seats are comfortable– Controls readily identifiable and

within easy reach– Clear visibility front and rear– Easily read internal instruments– Ease of entry and egress

AIMS OF ERGONOMICS

Ensures that human needs for safe and efficient working are met in the design of work system

To design Appliances Technical Systems Tasks In such a way to improve

Human Safety Health Comfort and Performance

Basic aims of ergonomics

Efficiency in purposeful activityTo achieve desired result withoutWasteErrorDamage to persons

Working situation in harmony with the activities of the worker

Difficulties in achieving the aims of ergonomics

Human operator is flexible and adaptableLarge individual differences

Obvious differences: --> Physical size, strength

Not obvious differences --> Culture, style, level of skill

Thus a systematic approach and theory are necessary. There should be measurable objectives to be checked and remedial action taken. A detailed study of the science of ergonomics provides these approaches and theories

DEFINITIONS OF ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics is a means of improving working conditions and reducing illness at work

Ergonomics attempts to ‘Fit the Job to the Man’ rather than ‘Fit the Man to the Job’

Ergonomics is concerned with the design of systems in which people carry out work

Ergonomics optimizes Efficiency, Health, Safety and Comfort of people through better designs of products and work places

Who is a human operator?

Skilled professional using a complex machine in an artificial environmentCustomer who has purchased a

new equipmentChild sitting in a classroomDisabled person in a wheel chair

ERGONOMICS and DISCIPLINES

• Ergonomics is a Multi-Disciplinary Science

• Ergonomics is also an Inter-Disciplinary Science

ERGONOMICS

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS

PSYCHOLOGY

-COGNITIVE

-WORK

-SOCIAL

ANATOMY

-ANTHROPOMETRY

-BIOMECHANICS

PHYSIOLOGY

-ENVIRONMENTAL

-WORK

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS

PSYCHOLOGY

-COGNITIVE

-WORK

-SOCIAL

ANATOMY

-ANTHROPOMETRY

-BIOMECHANICS

PHYSIOLOGY

-ENVIRONMENTAL

-WORK

TOXICOLOGY

ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

OPERATIONS RESEARCH

ENGINEERING

MANAGEMENTLAWECONOMICS

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS

PSYCHOLOGY

-COGNITIVE

-WORK

-SOCIAL

ANATOMY

-ANTHROPOMETRY

-BIOMECHANICS

PHYSIOLOGY

-ENVIRONMENTAL

-WORK

ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE MANUFACTURING

WORK ORGANIZATIONSYSTEMS DESIGN

TOXICOLOGY

ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

OPERATIONS RESEARCH

ENGINEERING

MANAGEMENTLAWECONOMICS

ERGONOMICS

PROFESSIONS HAVING COMPLEMENTARY ROLES WITH

ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS

Safety

OfficerCivil

Engineer

Mechanical

Engineer

Architect

Industrial

DesignerSocial

Psychologist

Ind. Medical

Officer

Physiotherapist

Industrial

Nurse

Occupational

Health Officer

ERGO-SYSTEMS

• Simple ergo-systems e e H H M

• Complex ergo-systems e M M e M H M H M H H H

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

Ergonomics is: “Higher productivity and a better place to work” “The science that saves both lives and dollars” “Human engineering where the goal is to

optimize worker well being and productivity” “A way of thinking about and planning work so

that it suits the capabilities and needs of the people”

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

Ergonomics is a solution finding method for questions like these:

How can human body dimensions be applied to car seat design? What is the proper height for kitchen counters? How can traffic lights be programmed for optimal urban traffic

flow throughout the day? How can stereo receiver displays and controls be coded to

effectively define their respective functions? How can the material and design of swim suits for competition be

improved for minimal water resistance? How should computer software and screens work and look best to

fit human cognitive capabilities?

Ergonomic needs in a workplace Physical work environment

Thermal comfort Noise and vibration control Adequate and proper lighting

Chemical environment Control of pollution General and exhaust ventilation

Work physiology Control excessive physical load Avoid physical and muscular fatigue Adequate rest pauses Arrangement of static and dynamic work

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd.)

Anthropometry (Body sizes) Designs to fit body sizes of users Appropriate working levels Adequate work space Avoid overcrowding of machines and workers

Occupational Biomechanics Appropriate work postures (sitting, standing) Safe load lifting and carrying techniques Adopt proper techniques in manual materials

handling

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd.)

Psychological aspects Avoid perceptual and mental loads and fatigue Appropriate design of displays and control Appropriate conditions for Vigilance tasks Avoid human error and stress Job motivation and satisfaction

Social psychology Practice good relationship among employees and

between employer and employee

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd,)

Macro ergonomics Suitable working hours , intervals, holidays, leave Appropriate shift schedules Welfare facilities Job rotation and incentives schemes Fair salary structure, Good administrative structure Good work organization schemes Fringe benefits (housing, transport, sports) Labour union facilities Training and education Promotional prospects

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd.)

Safety and Ergonomics Good housekeeping Performance feedback

Systems ergonomics Systems groups in problem solving and development

work Participative ergonomics User centered designs

Benefits of ergonomics

ProductivityProduct qualitySafetyHealthReliabilityJob satisfactionPersonal development

The Questions Employers Need Answers For:

Developing new products Increasing production capacity Identifying equipment and labor needs Identifying costs of manufacturing products Determining work hours and shift schedules Defining job productivity and quality standards Setting compensation levels Identifying skills for tasks Structuring tasks into jobs Increasing the available workforce by reducing problematic

tasks

TRADITIONAL AND PRESENT DAY TOOLS AND MACHINES

Traditional Present Day Relatively simple Increasingly complex Made by the user Made by a manufacturer Small number made Large number made Design error - small Design error - profound

consequences consequences Product competitive-Marketing competitiveness

ness unimportant vital Restricted user- popu- Wide variation in user

lation characteristics population

HOW CAN ERGONOMICS CONTRIBUTE TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN

INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

By adaptation of technology of the west By improving working conditions through ergonomics

interventions By developing traditional methods In acquiring modern technology In modifying techniques

Need Training and Education in Ergonomics

Ergonomic contributions to development in industrially developing countries

Research on basic data needsPromote special abilitiesRefine simple methodsMore appropriate “experts”Action learning (Learning by doing, not

imitating)Better supported education and researchRe-conceptualize standard setting

Present trend of occupational diseases and complaints Factors % of diseases and complaintsErgonomics 52.9Chemicals 22.1Noise 12.1Biological 3.2Other causes 9.5 WHY?More sedentary workFewer distinct work typesLess muscle usageMore static than dynamic work

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Materials storage and handlingClear and mark transport routesProvide ramps of 5-8% inclination instead of

small stairsUse mechanical devices for lifting, lowering

and moving heavy materialInstead of carrying heavy weights divide them

into smaller lightweights e.g. 2x10 kg instead of 20 kg.

Combine heavy lifting with physically lighter tasks

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Hand Tools

Use hanging tools for operations repeated in the same place

Provide hand support when using precision tools

Provide hand tools with a grip of the proper thickness (hand diameter 30-40 mm, handle length 125 mm and size to fit male hands)

Provide a home for each tool (Enables good housekeeping)

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Production machine safety

Locate controls in sequence of operations

Make displays and signals easy to distinguish and easy to read

Use properly fixed guards and interlock devices

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Improving workstation design

Adjust the working height around elbow levelLight work: at elbow levelPrecision work: above elbow levelHard work: below elbow level

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Lighting

• Increased use of daylight

• Light up the work area evenly

• Sufficient lighting for working

• Local lighting for precision work

• Removing shiny surfaces

• Avoid glare

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Premises

Prevent the exposure to excessive heatInstall effective local exhaust systemsIncrease the use of natural ventilation

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Welfare facilities

• Provide effective and acceptable personal protective devices

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)

Work Organization

• Involve worker in planning

• Inform the worker the results of their work

• Job enrichment (combine tasks)