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Unit 1 PP - Introduction To Ergonomics

This document introduces ergonomics as a scientific discipline focused on human interaction with tools and equipment, emphasizing the importance of fitting jobs to individuals and understanding the human-machine system. It outlines the historical development of ergonomics, its objectives, applications, and key areas such as physical and cognitive ergonomics. Additionally, it discusses the roles of ergonomists and the significance of creating safer and more efficient work environments.

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15 views23 pages

Unit 1 PP - Introduction To Ergonomics

This document introduces ergonomics as a scientific discipline focused on human interaction with tools and equipment, emphasizing the importance of fitting jobs to individuals and understanding the human-machine system. It outlines the historical development of ergonomics, its objectives, applications, and key areas such as physical and cognitive ergonomics. Additionally, it discusses the roles of ergonomists and the significance of creating safer and more efficient work environments.

Uploaded by

dafield.192
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

UNIT 1

1
Learning Outcomes

• Identify the key historical contributions to the field of ergonomics


• Explain the objectives and applications of ergonomics
• Explain the purpose and processes of fitting the job to the person
• Explain the basic model in ergonomics, known as the human-machine system
• Describe the major topic areas in ergonomics

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 2


What is Ergonomics?
• Ergonomics is an applied scientific discipline that is concerned with how humans
interact with the tools and equipment they use to perform tasks/activities.
• Interface e.g controls, displays, other operating equipment
• The term ergonomics originates from the Greek words “ergon” meaning work and
“nomos” meaning rules or laws.
• the study of work

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 3


What is Ergonomics?

• Ergonomist – professional focusing on ergonomics


• Term human factors is synonymous with ergonomics

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 4


What is Ergonomics?

• Primary interest: the activities that human perform while working

Most work activities


require a combination of
physical and cognitive
Pure Pure
physical cognitive

Requirements: Requirements:
• Muscle strength • Intelligence
and endurance • Concentration
• Physical • Knowledge
conditioning

Figure 1: Continuum of physical and cognitive demands that work


activities impose on humans (p. 340)

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 5


Historical Overview
• As a field of study, it can be traced back to around 1945
• Role of Taylorism (scientific movement) – emphasis on task planning, motion
and time study, and worker efficiency
• Early 1900s – considerable effort was placed on selecting workers for a given job
(FMJ) using psy testing
• 1920s: Hawthorne studies drew attention to the importance of social factors in the
workplace
• Beginning of human relations research

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 6


Historical Overview
• Another important influence: growth in the use
machinery and mechanisation between 1900 and 1945
• World War II forced nations to develop modern
productions technologies to meet the demand for
munitions
• Recognition of ergonomics as an emerging
discipline crystallised around the end of World
War II
• US – human factors
• Military as a catalyst in the growth of human
factors/ergonomics in the US – need to deal with
the new problem of human-machine systems
• Europe – ergonomics
• Emphasis was on industrial work systems,
including equipment and workspace design

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 7


Historical Overview

• Between 1980 and the present:


ergonomics/human factors
continued to grow motivated
by:
• Advances in computer and automation
technologies
• Disasters highlighting critical importance
of the human in human-machine systems

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 8


Objectives of Ergonomics

• Greater ease of interaction between user and machine

• Avoid errors and mistakes

• Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of the equipment

• Reduce stress and fatigue

• Greater efficiency and productivity

• Safer operation

• Avoid accidents and injuries

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 9


Ergonomics Application Areas

• Work system design


• Objectives: safety, accident avoidance,
improved functional performance
• Also includes environment such as
lighting and noise levels
• Product design
• Objectives: safety, comfort, user-
friendly, mistake proof, avoidance of
liability lawsuits

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 10


Ergonomists – What They Do

• Research on human capabilities and limitations


• Discover the characteristics of human performance, e.g., how much can an
average worker lift?
• Design and engineering applications
• Use the research findings to design better tools and work methods

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 11


Fitting the Person to the Job (FPJ)

• Considers worker’s physical and mental aptitudes in employment decisions


• For example, using worker size and strength as criteria for physical work
• Common philosophy prior to ergonomics
• FPJ is still important, e.g:
• Physical endurance requirements for fire fighters
• Educational requirements for technical positions

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 12


Fitting the Job to the Person (FJP)

• Opposite of FPJ
• Philosophy: design the job so that any member of the work force can perform it
• Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:
• Changes in worker skill requirements
• Demographic changes (e.g. more women in the workforce)
• Social and political changes (e.g. equal opportunity laws)

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 13


Human-Machine System

• System Components
− The human, the equipment & the environment

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 14


Human Components

• Human senses - to sense the operation


• Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
• Human brain - for information processing
• Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions, solving problems
• Human effectors - to take action
• Fingers, hands, feet, and voice

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 15


Machine Components

• The process - function or operation performed


by human-machine system
• Displays - to observe the process
• Direct observation for simple processes
• Artificial displays for complex processes
• Controls - to actuate and regulate the process
• Steering wheel, computer keyboard

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 16


Environmental Components
• Physical environment
• Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and humidity
• Social environment
• Co-workers and colleagues at work
• Immediate supervisors
• Organisational culture
• Pace of work

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 17


Topic Areas in Ergonomics

• Physical ergonomics

• Cognitive ergonomics

• The physical work environment

• Occupational safety and health

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 18


Physical Ergonomics

• How the human body functions during physical exertion


• Physiology – vital processes carried out by living organisms and how their
constituent tissues and cells function
• How physical dimensions of the body affect capabilities of worker
• Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the human body

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 19


Cognitive Ergonomics

• Concerned with the capabilities of the human brain and sensory system while
performing information processing activities
• Human cognitive processes include:
• Sensing and perception
• Use of memory
• Response selection and execution

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 20


Physical Work Environment

• Visual environment
• Lighting levels and workplace design
• Auditory environment
• Intensity and duration of noise
• Climate
• Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 21


Occupational Safety and Health

• Occupational safety – concerned with the avoidance of industrial accidents


• One-time events that cause injury or fatality
• Occupational health – concerned with avoiding diseases and disorders caused by
exposure to hazardous materials or conditions
• Develop after prolonged periods of exposure
• May take years before symptoms reveal the onset of the malady

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 22


THANK YOU

Unit 1: Introduction to Ergonomics 23

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