इंटरनेट मानक

Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.

“जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न' 5 तरफ”

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru
“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”

IS 10224 (1982): Ergonomic principles in the design of work

systems [CHD 8: Occupational Safety, Health and Chemical
Hazards]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
( Reaffirmed 2002 )
 IS: 10224- 1982

Indian Standard
ER-GONOM-IC PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN
OF WORK SYSTEMS

Industrial Safety Advisory Committee, ISAC

Chairman Rqbresenting
SHRI A. K. CRAKRABARTY Directorate General Factory Advice Service and
Labour Institutes, Bombay
Members
SHRI P. R. SURENDRANATRAN ( Alternate to
Shri A. K. Chakrabarty )
SRRI S. P. BHATIA Indian Cotton Mills Federation, Bombay
SHRI CEARANJIT LAL Chief Controllerate of Explosives, Nagpur
SRRI B. R. DAVE ( Alternate )
DR S. K. CHATTEIIJEF: Directorate General of Health Services
Poor B. B. CHATTERJEE ( Alternate )
SRRI P. K. CHAUDHU~I India Safety of Engineers, Calcutta
DR D. K. NAP ( A~ternotc )
SHRI N. CHAWLA Sandoz ( India ) Ltd, Thane
SHRI A. K. DAS Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. PURUSHOTH~XA ( Plllcrnnte)
SHRI S. C. DEY Central Boilers Board, New Delhi
SHRI S. M. PRASAD ( Alternate )
SHRI D. M. DHAR Standing Committee on Safety for the Steel Industry
( Durgapur Steel Plant )
SHRI A. K. DAS GUPTA ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR ( COMMERCIAL ) Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( COP~MER-
CIAL ) ( Alternate )
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF MIXES Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad
SAFETY
DIRECTOR, MINES SAFETY
EQUIYMENT( Alternate )
SHRI DURGESH CHANDRA Century Rayon, Kalyan
Snnr JAYANT ADHIA ( Alternate )
SHRI K. H. GANDHI Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
SI-IRI SATPAL SINOH ( Alternate)
SKRI P. N. Geosrr Institute of Fire Engineers India, New Delhi
Sanr K. C. GUPTA National Safety Council, Bombay
SHRI N. RA~HAVAN ( Alternate )

( Continued on page 2 )

@ Coprrzght 1982
INDIAN STANDARDS INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
+blisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
IS :10224-198i
( Confinucdfrompage1 )

Members Representing
SII~I R. P. JHA Indian Jute Mills Association, Calcutta
SHRI J. D. JIJJNA Indian Airlines Corporation, New Delhi
Srr~r M. N. A~ORA ( Alternate )
SHRI M. KANT Safety Appliances Manufacturers’ Association,
Bomhav
Snnr KIRIT MAR~ ( Alternutc )
SHRI P. KRISBNAN N~IK The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd,
Udyogmandal
Snn~ LAXMI N~IEAIN Indian National Trade Union Congress, New Delhi
SHRX K~R.~N SINGH ( Alternate )
Srrnr H. R. L.~XXIN.~RAYAN Ministry of Shipping and Transport
Sunr A. B. THAI~UR (~Alternatc )
SHRJ G. B. MENON Standing Fire Advisory Council, New Delhi
SHRI B. K. NARAYAXA RHAGWAN Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI S. SRISATH ( Alternate )
SHIEI G. R,+M~MURT~Y Ministry of Communications
SHIZI Y. V. R. REUDY ( Alternate ) '
SFTRIS. G. RANADE Directorate General of Ordnance Factories. Calcutta
SHRI S. R. C. RAO Steel Authority of India
S HR~R. N. DAS ( Alternate )
ROPRESENTATIVB Railway Board ( Ministry of Railways )
SHRI Y. K. S~PRU The Safety First Association of India, Bombay
SHRI A. A. JASDENVALA ( Alternate )
SnRI I. C. S&RI?4 Employees State Insurance Corporation, New Dehli
DR K. M. SAXENA ( Alternate )
SHRI I’. SESHADRI Ministrv of Petroleum & Chemicals
Slr~tr JAGJIT SINGH ( Alternate) ’
DR B. SINGH Central Mining Research Station ( CSIR ), Dhanbad
SIIRI P. R. ROY ( Alternate )
SIXRI D. K. SIRKAR Indian Chemical Manufacturers’ Association,
Calcutta
Srm~ S. J. SHAKMA ( Alternate )
Sam S. VEXBSWAMY Directorate General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi
SHRI S. P. VIDYAI~THI All India Manufacturers’ Organization, Bombay
DR HARI BIIAGWAN, Director General, IS1 ( Ex-oficzo Member )
Director ( Chem ) ( Secretary )

Safety Practices and Procedures Subcommittee, ISAC/S-3

Convener
Swnr P. R. SURENDRANATHAN Directorate General Factory Advice Service and
Labour Institutes ( Ministty of Labour ),
Bombay
Members
SHRI H. GANAPATHY ( Alternate to
Shri P. R. Surendranathan )
SEIRI CHARANJIT LAL Chief Controllerate of Explosives, Nagpur
SHRI B. R. DAVE ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 11 )
 IS : 10224- 1982

Indian Standard
ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN
OF WORK SYSTEMS

0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 29 July 1982, after the draft finalized by the Industrial
Safety Advisory Committee had been approved by the Executive
Committee.

0.2 Technological, economic, organizational and human factors affect the

work behaviour performance and well being of people as part of the
work systems. The design of the work systems should therefore satisfy
human requirements by applying ergonomic knowledge in the light of
practical experience. Recognizing the importance of this principle it
was decided to adopt ISO/DIS 6385 ‘Ergonomic principles in the design
of work systems’, issued by the International Organization for Standardi-
zation.
0.3 However, it is recommended that:

a) This standard should be used in conjunction with other pertinent

standards, regulations or agreements;

b) Adaptation of this standard may be necessary in order to meet

additional requirements of some categories of individuals, for
example, in view of age or handicap, or in the case of exceptional
working situations, or emergencies; and

c) While the principles in this standard are oriented to industry,

they are applicable to any field of human activity.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard establishes ergonomic principles as basic guidelines for
the design of work systems.

15 The ergonomic guiding principles specified in this standard apply

to the design of optimal working conditions with regard to human well
being, safety and health, taking into account technical and economic
efhciency.
IS:10224-1982

2. DEFINITIQNS

2.1 Work System - The work system comprises a combination of

people and work equipment, acting together in the work process, to per-
form the work task, at the work space, in the work environment, under
the conditions imposed by the work task.

2.2 Work Task - An intended outcome of the work system.

2.3 Work Equipment - Tools, machines, vehicles, devices, furniture,

installations and other components used in the work system.

2.4 Work Process - The sequence in time and space of the interaction
of people, work equipment, materials, energy and information within a
work system.

2.5 Work Space -- A volume allocated to one or more persons in the

work system to complete the work task.

2.6 Work Equipment - Physical, chemical, biological, social and

cultural factors surrounding a person in his/her work space. However,
social and cultural factors are not covered by this standard.

2.7 Work Stress ( or External Load ) - The sum of those external

conditions and demands in the work system which act to disturb a
person’s physio!ogical and/or psychological state.

2.8 Work Strain ( Internal Reaction ) - The effect of the work stress
upon a person in relation to his/her individual characteristics, abilities
and capacities.

2.9 Work Fatigue - The local or general non-pathological manifesta-

tion of work strain, comp!etely reversible with rest.

3. GENERAL GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3.1 Design of Work Space and of Work Equipment

3.1.1 Design in RAtion to Body Dimensions - The design of the work

space and work equipment should take into account constraints imposed
by the body dimensions, with due regard to the work process. The work
space should he ai!apted to the operator. In particular:

a) The working height should be adapted to the body dimensions of

the operator and to the kind of work performed. Seat, work
surface, and/or desk should be designed as a unit to achieve the
~preferred body posture, namely trunk erect, body weight appro-
priately supported, elbows and the side of body, and forearms
approximate!y horizontal;

4
 IS : 10224- 1982

b) The seating arrangement should be adjusted to the anatomic and

physiological features of the individual;

Cl Sufficient space should be provided for body movements, in parti-

cular of.the head, arms, hands, legs, and feet;

4 Controls should be within functional reach; and

4 Grips, handles, knobs, etc, of controls should suit the functional

anatomy of the hand.

3.1.2 Design in Relation 10 Body Posture, Muscular Strength and Body Move-
ments - The design of the work should be such as to avoid unnecessary
or excessive stra~in in muscles, joints, ligaments, and in other body
systems. Strength requirements should be within physiologically desir-
able limits. Body movements should follow natural -rhythms. Body
posture, strength exertion and body movement should be in harmony
with each other.

3.1.2.1 BOC$ posture - Attention should be paid primarily to the

following:

4 The operator should be able to be alternate between sitting and

standing. If one of~these postures has to be chosen, sitting is
normally preferable to standing unless standing is necessiated by
the work process. Where workers are required to work in a
standing position, suitable arrangements for sitting should be pro-
vided so that they could take advantage of any opportunities for
rest which may occur in the course of their work;

b) If high muscle strength has to be exerted, the chain of force or

torque vectors through the body should be kept short and simple
by allowing suitable body posture and providing appropriate
body support; and

c>Body
static
postures should not cause work fatigue
muscular tension. Alterations
from
in body postures
prolonged
should be
possible.

3.1.2.2 Muscular strength - Attention should be paid primarily to the

following:

a) Strength demands should be compatible with the physical

capacities and physiological abilities of the operator;

b) Muscle groups involved should be strong enough to meet the

strength demands. If strength demands are excessive, auxiiiary
sources of energy should be introduced into the work system;
and

5
IS:10224-f982

c) Maintainance of prolonged static tension in the same muscle

should be avoided.
3.1.2.3 Body monement - Attention should be paid primarily to the
following:

4 A good balance should be established among body movements;

motion should be preferred to prolonged immobility;

b) Amplitude, strength, speed and space of movements should be

mutually adjustable;

c) Movements with great accuracy requirements should not entail

exertion of considerable muscular strength; and

d) Execution and sequencing of movements should be facilitated by

guiding devices, as appropriate.
3.1.3 Design Concerning Signals, Displays and Controls

3.1.3.1 Signals and dis$ays - Signals and displays should be

selected, designed and laid out in a manner compatible with the
characteristics of human perception. The following points in particular
be noted:

4 The nature and number of signals and displays should be com-

patible with the characteristics of the information;

b) In order to achieve clear identification of information where

displays are numerous, they should be laid out in space in such a
way as to furnish reliable orientation clearly and rapidly. Their
arrangement may be a function either of the technical process or
of the importance and frequency of use of particular items of
information. This may be done by grouping in accordance with
the functions of the process, the type of measurements, etc;

4 The nature and design of signals and displays should ensure

unambiguous perception. This applies especially to danger
signals. Account should be taken, for instance, of the intensity,
shape, size, contrast, prominence, and the signal to noise ratio;

d) Rate and direction of change of display of information should be

compatible with rate and direction of change of the primary
source of that information;

e>In protected activities in which observation and monitoring pre-

dominate, overload and underload effects should be avoided by
design and layout of signals and displays; and

f) Account shall be taken of the-fact that people in a work system

may be illiterate and this fact should be given due consideration
while designing the signals and displays.
6
 IS:10224-1982

3.1.3.2 Controls - Controls shall be selected, designed and laid out

in such a way as to be compatible with characteristics ( particularly of
movement ) of that part of the body by which they are operated. Skill,
accuracy, speed and strength requirements should be taken into account.
The following items may be considered in particular:

a) Type, design and layout of controls should correspond to the

control task taking into account human characteristics including
learned and innate responses;

b) Travel of controls and control resistance should be selected on

the basis of the control task and of biomechanical and anthro-
pometric data;

C) Control movement, equipment response, and display information

should be mutually compatible;

4 Function of the controls should be easily identifiable to avoid

confusion;

e) Where controls are numerous they should be laid out so as to

ensure safe, unambiguous and quick operation. This may be
done similarly as for signals by grouping them according to their
functions in the process, to the order in which they are used,
etc; and

f> Critical controls should be safeguarded against inadvertent

operations.

3.2 Design of the Work Environment

3.2.1 The work environment should be designed and maintained so

that physical, chemical and biological conditions have no noxious effect
on people but serve to ensure their health, as well as their capacity and
readiness to work. Account shall be taken of objectively measurable
phenomena and of subjective assessments.

3.2.2 Depending on the work system it is necessary to pay attention in

particular to the following points:

a) The dimensions of the work premises ( general layout, space for

work and space for work related traffic ) should be adequate and
its orientation suitability;

b) Air renewal should be {adjusted with regard to the following

factors, for example:

i) Number of persons in the room,

ii) Intensity of the physical work involved,

7
IS : 10224 * 1982

iii) Dimensions of the premises ( taking account of bvork equip-

ment),

iv) Emission of pollutants in the room,

v) Appliances consuming oxygen, and

vi) Thermal conditions;

c) Thermal conditions at the work place should be adjusted in

accordance with local climatic conditions, taking into account
mainIy:

i) Air temperature,

ii) Air humidity,

iii) Air velocity,

iv) Thermal radiation,

v) Intensity of the physical work involved, and

vi) Properties of clothing and special protective equipment;

d) Lighting should be such as to provide optimal visual perception

for the required activities without strain. Special attention
should be paid to the following:

i) Luminance,

ii) Colour,

iii) Distribution ~of light,

iv) Absence of glare and undesirable reflections, shadows and

disturbances from after images and stroboscopic effects,

V) Contrast in luminance and colour, and

vi) Age of operators; and

0) In the selection of the colours for the room and for the \vork
equipment, their effects on the distribution of lumjnances, on the
structure and quality of the field of vision, land on the perception
of safety colours, should be taken into account;

f) The acoustic work environment should be such that noxious or

annoying effects of noise are avoided, including those effects due
to outside sources. Account should be taken in particular of the
following factors:

i) Sound pressure level,

8
 IS:10224- 1!?62

ii) Frequency spectrum,

iii) Distribution overtime,

iv) Perception of acoustic signals, and

v) Speech intelligibility;

g) Vibrations and impacts transmitted to man should not attain

levels causing physical damage, physio-pathological reactions or
sensorimotor disturbances; and

h) Exposure of workers to dangerous materials and harmful radia-

tions should be avoided:

i) During outdoor work, adequate protection should be provided

against adverse climatic effects ( for example, against heat,
cold, wind, rain, snow and ice ).

3.3 Design of the Work Procese

3.3.1 The design of the work process should safeguard the workers’
health~and safety, promote their well being, and facilitate task perfor-
mance, in particular by avoiding overloading and underloading. Over-
loading and underloading is likely to result from transgressing, respecti-
,vely, the upper or lower limits of the operational range of physiological
and/or psychologica! functions, for example:

a) physical or sensory overloading produce fatigue; and

b) conversely, underloading or work sensed as monotonous

diminishes vigilance.

3.3.2 The physical and psychological stresses depend not only on

factors considered in 3.1 an;l 3.2 but also on the content and repetitive-
ness of operations and on the workers’ control over the work process.
3.3.3 For achieving the objectives given in 3.1.1 attention should be
directed to implementation of one or more of the following methods of
improving the quality of the work process:

a) Having one operator perform several successive operations belong-

ing to the same work function, instead of several operators (job
en1 argement );

b) Having one operator perform successive operations belonging to

different work functions, instead of several operators. For
example, assembiy operations followed by quality checks per-
formed by the operator who also removes defects ( job
enrichment );
 c) Change of activity as, for example, voluntary job rotation among
workers on an assembly line or in a team workin-g within an
autonomous group; and

d) Breaks, orgmnined or non-organized.

3.3.3.1 In implementing the a0ove measure, particular attention

should be paid to the following:

Q) Variations in vigilance and work capacity over day and night;

b) Differences in work capacity among operators, and changes with

age; and

c) Individual development.

10
 IS:10224 - 1982

( Continued from page 2 )

Members Representing
CHIEF &WlNEER (ELEcTUICIL) Industries, Energy and Labour Department, Govern-
ment of Maharashtra
SUPEKINTENDUW ENGINEER
( INSPECTION ) ( Alternate )
CRIXF INSPECTOR OF BOILERS, Central Boilers Board, New Delhi
KARNATAKA
Director MINES SAFETY Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MINES
SAFETY ( SG ) ( A&rnntc )
SHRI V. N. KHOLKUTE Chief Inspectorate of Factories, Government of
Maharashtra
S~sr G. R. GIJJAR ( Altsrnats )
SRRI S. KRISHNAN N~IX Director of Factories & Boilers, Government of
Kerala
SHRI G. B. MENW Standing Fire Advisory Council, New Delhi
SHRI N. C. MUKHEI~JEB National Safety Council, Bombay
SHRI N. RAORAVAI+ ( Alternate )
SHR1V.K. MUP,TBY The Tata Iron & Steel Company
_ Ltd. ,_.Tamsbedour
1
?~EIRIK. N. BHATTACHAILYA ( Alternate)

11