Chapter 1

Introduction

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 Definition
• Ergonomics is about 'fit‘: the fit between people, the things they
do, the objects they use and the environments they work, travel
and play in.
• if good fit
1.Reduces the stresses on people.
2.They can do things more quickly and easily
3.They make fewer mistakes.
4.Not only physical but also with psychological and other
aspects too.
5.That is why ergonomics is often called 'Human Factors'.
• Someone who is qualified in ergonomics is called an
ergonomist.
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 Origin of the Term Ergonomics

• Derived from the Greek ergon (work) and nomos (laws)

to denote the science of work, ergonomics is a systems-
oriented discipline which now applies to all aspects of
human activity.

• Practicing ergonomist must have a broad understanding

of the full scope of the discipline, taking into account the
physical, cognitive, social, organizational, environmental
and other relevant factors.

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Human Factors VS. Ergonomics
Ergonomics and human factors - the same thing?

• Ergonomics has always been the more common term within the
UK and Europe
• Human Factors is favored by the North Americans
• The two terms then would are interchangeable.
• A few years ago the terms were combined in the name of the
American Society - now know as the Human Factors and
Ergonomics Society.
• Incidentally, the Oxford English Dictionary supports the
equivalence of the terms.

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 History of Human Factors
Early 1900: Motion Study
1949: Ergonomics Society (Britain)
1957: Human Factors Society (U.S.)
1959: International Ergonomics Association
1960~1980: Rapid Growth
• Consumer products design
• Workplaces design
• Manufacturing process design
1990~
• Safety & Health
• Medical Devices Design
• Design for the Elderly
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 Reactive and Proactive
Ergonomics
Reactive Ergonomics – is where you respond to a work
place complaint or injury.

Proactive Ergonomics – is where you analyze a proposed

task at design time to prevent an injury.

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 Needs for Ergonomics

Examples of work requirements that can cause discomfort,

fatigue, injury, and illness are:
1. Stretching to reach
2. Repeated heavy lifting
3. High pinch forces
4. Handling objects that are sharp, very hot, or very cold.
5. Working with hands above shoulders
6. Long periods of work without a change in body posture.

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 Needs for Ergonomics

Effects
Effects on
on the
the Operator
Operator Effects
Effects on
on the
the Company
Company

Fatigue Poor Quality

Pain Absenteeism
Illness, back ache, etc Higher costs
Low morale Higher employee
Frustration & Irritation turnover & training

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 The Role of an Ergonomist
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific
discipline concerned with the understanding of the
interactions among humans and other elements of a
system.
The profession applies theoretical principles, data and
methods to design in order to optimize human well-
being and overall system performance.

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 The Role of an Ergonomist

Practitioners of ergonomics, ergonomist, contribute to

the planning, design and evaluation of tasks, jobs,
products, organizations, environments and systems in
order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities,
and limitations of people.

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 Working Areas of Ergonomists
Computers work stations
Aerospace engineering
Industrial Processes
Health and Safety
Communications
Transportation
Other

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 Domain of Specialization
• Physical ergonomics is concerned with human
anatomical, anthropometrics, physiological and
biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical
activity.
1.Working postures
2.Materials handling
3.Repetitive movements
1. work-related musculoskeletal disorders
2. workplace layout
4.Safety and health.

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 Homework

Anatomy

Anthropometry
PowerPoint
Physiology
slides
Biomechanics

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 Physical Ergonomists

Physical ergonomics is also concerned with how the

physical environment around you might affect your
performance.

Physical here means a kind of things such as: heat, light,

noise, dusts, chemicals, and so on.

For example, there's a thermal comfort range which suits

people best unless they are doing hard physical work, in
which case they might prefer a cooler range.

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 What can ergonomics do?

All major accidents involve a number of human

failures
Human factors is concerned with
• Understanding the causes of human failures
• Preventing human failures.

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 Why be Concerned?

Up to 80% of accident causes can be attributed to

human factors
Cumulative Trauma Disorders(CTD) and other
ergonomic related injuries accounted for 34% of lost
workdays, 60% of costs, and $20 billion/year DIRECT
losses to industry
Direct cost per average CTD case is about $9,000
Prevention is the only cure for CTDs

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 Ergonomic Risk Factors
Occupational Risk Factors
1.Repetitive Motions (Frequency)
2.Awkward or Static Postures
3.Forceful Activities
4.Localized Mechanical Pressures
5.Vibration Exposures
6.Lighting
7.Temperature Extremes
8.Noise
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 Occupational Risk Factors
Solutions
• Administrative Controls (Hazard Recognition)
• Engineering Controls (Adjustability)
• Task Design / Redesign
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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 Work-Related Musculoskeletal
Disorders (WMSDs)
If you experience signs or symptoms of MSDs, report it to
a supervisor, industrial hygienist or safety professional.

If pain or discomfort does not go away when you leave

work or interferes with you carrying out normal activities,
see an occupational health nurse or physician

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 How Do You Avoid MSDs?

1 2 3

Reduce Keep
Work in
excessive everything in
neutral
force & easy reach
postures
repetition and at proper
heights

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 How Do You Avoid MSDs?

4 5 6

Use proper Ask for

Keep lifting assistance
warm techniques with difficult
and lift aides tasks

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 How Do You Avoid MSDs?

7 8

Take Maintain a
micro-breaks comfortable
(stand, stretch, environment
change tasks)

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 Benefits of an Ergonomics Program

Decreased injury rates > Increased employee morale

Engineering changes and task redesign: $1 invested,
$11-$35 saved in production costs
Increased productivity > increased profits
Decreased insurance cost
Prevent injuries before they occur

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 Homework

Find three ergonomically

designed products on the
internet and compare them
with non-ergonomically
designed products?

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