...ERGONOMICS Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows: Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Ergonomics is employed to fulfil the two goals of health and productivity. It is relevant in the design of such things as safe furniture and easy-to-use interfaces to machines. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. Ergonomics: the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user. Applications Physical ergonomics is important in the medical field, particularly to those diagnosed with physiological ailments or disorders such as arthritis (both chronic and temporary) or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure that is insignificant or imperceptible to those unaffected by these disorders may be very painful, or render a device unusable, for those who are. Many ergonomically designed products are also used or recommended to treat or prevent such disorders, and to treat pressure-related chronic pain. Design of ergonomics experiments ...
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...Innovations: * Ergonomics for Interaction Designers ( Rob Tannen) * The convergence of digital user interfaces with physical products (e.g., touch screens, gestural interfaces) puts interaction designers in a position where knowledge of ergonomics is valuable, if not essential, for creating effective solutions. This lecture is an introduction to anthropometric design and research methods, including: explanations of fundamental ergonomic design principles and myths, case studies at the intersection of product and user interface design, and actionable takeaways to apply immediately. The content is geared specifically to interaction designers, relating understood digital design principles and terminology to parallels in physical design. What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is defined as "The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort." So what does that mean to the average office worker? Basically, it means the use products and techniques to make our office environments more comfortable and protect us from repetitive movement injuries associated with modern desk work. Scientists called "Ergonomists" make it their life to develop comfortable, safe objects for us to use at work and at home. Ergonomics, as a formal discipline and recognized science is relatively new but its roots are deeply rooted in ancient times. The official fact about backaches "Backaches caused by rides on...
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...Ergonomics Nov 29, 2011 Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss ergonomics. How important proper ergonomics can be to both the employer and the employee. To talk about some of the education and training options available to companies for its employees. Some employer responsibilities and how OSHA enforces them. And finally, a look at a few organizations created to influence ergonomics. Introduction Ergonomics is basically the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. Throughout this paper I will go over the importance of proper ergonomics, along with a certain medical disorder that can result from ergonomic hazards. Then discuss different types of ergonomic education and training, as well as the delivery options available. Look at some basic employer responsibilities as well as OSHA Enforcement. And briefly go over two organizations that influence human factors and ergonomics around the world. Importance of Proper Ergonomics The science of fitting workplace conditions and demands of the job to the capabilities of the working population is Ergonomics. Ensuring effective and successful ergonomic practices will help generate higher productivity, greater avoidance of illness and injury, and even a possible increase in job satisfaction among the workforce. The avoidance of illness and injury is extremely important in today’s workplace as many companies are dealing...
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...Understanding ergonomics at work You may have heard of the term ‘ergonomics’. This is sometimes referred to as ‘human factors’. Not everyone really understands what ergonomics is, what it does, or how it affects people. This leaflet will help to answer these questions and to explain how understanding ergonomics can improve health and safety in your workplace. It is aimed at anyone who has a duty to maintain and improve health and safety and who wants to gain insight into ergonomics. It gives some examples of ergonomics problems and simple, effective advice on what can be done to solve them. What is ergonomics? Ergonomics is a science concerned with the ‘fit’ between people and their work. It puts people first, taking account of their capabilities and limitations. Ergonomics aims to make sure that tasks, equipment, information and the environment suit each worker. To assess the fit between a person and their work, ergonomists have to consider many aspects. These include: ■ the job being done and the demands on the worker; ■ the equipment used (its size, shape, and how appropriate it is for the task); ■ the information used (how it is presented, accessed, and changed); ■ the physical environment (temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, vibration); and ■ the social environment (such as teamwork and supportive management). Ergonomists consider all the physical aspects of a person, such as: ■ body size and shape; ■ fitness and strength; ■ posture; ■ the senses...
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...Facility Management Dr. Stark May 24, 2012 Ergonomics Ergonomics is the study of designing a workplace to fit the human body. By custom making a workplace especially for the human body one eliminates the probabilities of musculoskeletal disorders as discussed in the article by the United States Department of Labor. The risks include but aren’t limited to, jobs that require repetitive lifting or moving heavy object or holding an awkward posture for long periods of time. By not designing a workplace to fit the functional movements of the human body you create room for error. Errors that include lawsuits, constant work-related injuries that causes need to miss work, and high employee turnover. In 2002, ergonomics-related injuries accounted for a third of all workplace injuries. It is in the best interest of the company to investigate any workplace caused injuries to eliminate the problem from happenings again. This USDL article us a four step process to measure, analyze, improve, and control all ergonomic related problems. Step 1: Measure Once the Six Sigma project team developed its charter and defined its task, it then began by defining the current process. First, the team outlined the sequence of events from workstation assignment to task performance and potential injury. They next identified a series of key variables affecting the process outcome that included: user attributes (such as daily time at workstations); user behaviors (including posture, force, and duration...
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...Ergonomics: Google defines Ergonomics as...the study of people's efficiency in their working environment but what are the parts that help build up Ergonomics and Ergonomists. What is Ergonomics? In the field of ergonomics it is the ergonomists job to try and make a job fit the employing instead of making the employee adjust to the job. This may be done in making a chair, but that chair may allow the employee to work an hour more than if they were in a different chair. An ergonomist may make a keyboard design that allows you to type more words for a longer amount of time without having to stop because your hands hurt or are tired. So you see it is pretty simple what they do. They try to make jobs more efficient so the employee is happier and able to work more while not hating what they do. How Does It Effect Individuals And How To Fix It? Ergonomic disorders can place many physical stresses on joints, muscles, bones, tendons and environmental effects on both hearing and vision. Physical stressors can include repetitive motions such as those caused by typing or continual use of a manual screwdriver. Other physical stressors could be tasks involving vibration such as using a jackhammer, or tasks which involve using excessive force, such as lifting boxes of heavy books. Working in an awkward position, such as holding a telephone to your ear with your shoulder, can also cause problems. Repetitive motions, vibration, excessive force, and awkward positions are frequently linked...
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...The most significant challenge in long-term care in regards to ergonomics is the human factor. Since humans are the main facilitators of providing care to the residents of long-term care facilities. The way they accomplish their jobs is a very important entity to the success of these facilities. This main challenge is manual lifting and of moving patients which can lead to other problems including lumbar problems and musculoskeletal disease. Over the years these injuries have cost healthcare industry billions per year in worker’s compensation claims and high turnovers of caregivers leaving the profession and finding jobs elsewhere causing a shortage. It have also caused the quality of care to decrease as caregivers are given these burdensome tasks to perform you find residents waiting for a long time without assistance, causing injuries to both residents and employees. With high turnover ratios, the word will spread about the facility not being adequately staffed at all times, therefore limiting the amount of patients transferring or enrolling into a facility. This could then raise the cost of care at that given facility to accommodate the charges accrued to operate the facility. This could also ultimately cause the facility to be placed out of compliance with the state and being forced to meet state guidelines and adhere to state regulations or be forced to shut down the facility; hence forcing all patients into other facilities that might not offer adequate care. The governance...
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...Level of Organization Awareness on the Importance of Ergonomics to Health and Safety at the Workplace Zafirah Ab Muin1 Dr. Maimunah Sapri2 Faculty of Geoinformation and Real Estate Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia 1 Email: zafirah.hjabmuin@gmail.com 2 Email: maimunahsapri@utm.my Abstract In Malaysia, ergonomics has been introduced on December 1, 1992 through the establishment of ergonomics division in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); while its provision has been stated under Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994. Although ergonomics has been carrying out by the government almost centuries ago, but it is not widely implemented and practiced in Malaysia. Besides, occupational disease consists of human organs tends to happens mainly due to lack of ergonomics awareness among the people at the workplace. Ergonomics awareness is the first step to implement ergonomics effectively. Without ergonomics awareness, effort to endorse ergonomics practice can be tough and lead to injuries and illness; and directly affects the workers’ productivity, performance and cost. Therefore, this study was attempted to identify the level of organization awareness on the ergonomics provision under OSHA 1994 and to evaluate the level of organization awareness on the importance of ergonomics to health and safety at the workplace in University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). A quantitative and survey research design was used. 230 questionnaires...
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...ERGONOMICS Ergonomics is the science of adapting the job and/or the equipment and the human to each other for optimal safety and productivity.Ergonomics refer to the application of scientific information and systems for human use, specifically when it comes to job design, work area efficiency and quality. It is very important because it relates to everything that involves people including work systems, sports, leisure, health, safety etc. It gives way to socio technical approach to job design that involves keeping the social needs of people in mind to design jobs and then using technology to fulfill it. Ergonomics deals with the interaction of technological and work situations with the human being. The basic human sciences involved are anatomy, physiology, and psychology. These sciences are applied by the ergonomist towards two objectives: the most productive use of human capabilities, and the maintenance of human health and well-being. In a phrase, ‘the job must fit the person’ in all respects, and the work situation should not compromise human capabilities and limitations. An ergonomically designed space will include an ergonomic assessment of the following: • The individual's posture, their routine tasks and what time is spend on particular activities, movements or repetitious actions • The job tools, which includes any devices required to perform your duties, like the mouse, the printer and the scanner The surroundings of your workplace...
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...The College of Engineering [IEG350] Ergonomics Work Analysis Introduction to Ergonomics Source: Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Groover, M. P., Pearson Education, 2007 Dr. Suat Kasap Physical and Cognitive Demands Most work activities require a combination of physical and cognitive exertions Ergonomics • An applied scientific discipline concerned with how humans interact with the tools and equipment they use while performing tasks and other activities • Derived from the Greek words ergon, meaning work, and nomos, meaning laws • The word ergonomics was coined by British scientist K. F. H. Murrell and entered the English language in 1949 IEG 350 Lecture 2- 3 Human Factors • Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics • Ergonomics emphasizes work physiology and anthropometry Europe – industrial work systems • Human factors emphasizes experimental psychology and systems engineering U.S. – military work systems IEG 350 Lecture 2- 4 Objectives in 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 IEG 350 Lecture 2- 5 Ergonomics Application Areas • Work system design Objectives: safety, accident avoidance, improved functional performance Also...
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...design and build of a piece of furniture; however, further consideration had to be given to obtaining a resolution for a problem that was plagueing this industry. When researching an entire compliment of chairs, one that had not received much attention was the outdoor café chair. With there being a new aspect of business, one that includes a mobile component, there is new generation of office setting that is evolving -- that of the outdoor café. A common theme that seemed to reoccur during the research of outdoor chairs was the complaint associated with a lack of comfort and support, along with the instability of the chair. Therefore it was the ergonomic aspects of the chair that would be in the forefront during the design phase. Understanding the evolution of the chair was a must during the design process. The ergonomics and overall sizing of the chair needed to be researched in order to gain an appreciation for each aspect of the chair; with this knowledge being gained through book research and discussions with various Professors in the School of Art & Design. Research With respect to the evolution of the office chair, an invaluable source of information was the book, Taxonomy of Office Chairs, by Jonathan Olivares. This book is the first ‘taxonomy’ of an industrialized object. As explained by the author, “A Taxonomy of Office Chairs is an exhaustive visual history of the office chair. The book dissects the design of the chair into its separate elements and categorizes...
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...HUMAN Factors & Ergonomics of Box Handling United Parcel Service of North America, Inc. 1) Abstract As the demand for instant deliveries becomes more and more popular today, analyzing the environment from which the packages are sent from becomes a very crucial part in this process. A Report that we received from former employee has proved that the increase of demand for instant deliveries, which spikes up the number of packages delivered in a day, has lead to numerous musculoskeletal stresses for the employees that handles the packages, while at the same time impacting their psychological factors. The problems include (but not limited to) joint discomforts, arm pain, back pain, and also shoulder pain due to the intensity of the work. It is important to improve the system, particularly on the loading packages to the trucks. Not only that improving the system of package handling in UPS stores can increase the overall safety of the workers, it can also increase the efficiency level of the work of the employees. The primary focus of the study will be to address the efficiency of the physical position of the workers at the package loading part to ensure that the workers don’t experience unnecessary pain in their body throughout their work time. Authier, M., Gagnon, M., & Lortie, M. (1995). Handling techniques: the influence of weight and height for experts and novices. International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics, 1(3), 262-275. van Dieën,...
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...Ergonomics, human engineering or human factors engineering is the science of creating products or designing machines which maximize safety, comfort or efficiency of people who use them. People who work with ergonomics apply general principles of industrial engineering, psychology, anthropometrics, which is the science of human measurement, and even biomechanics to adapt certain designs of products or workplaces to peoples constitution, strengths and limitations. This science also takes into consideration peoples reactions and the amount of time they need to process a specific task or information received from their environment, as well as the capacity of dealing with certain psychological factors, mainly stress and isolation. Once a study about a certain group of peoples reactions to their environment has been made, people who design with ergonomics attempt to develop the best possible design for a system or product. Ergonomists view people and a the object or machine they will use as a sole unit, and the ergonomic approach to design blends the persons abilities with those of the machine. When designing one must take into account the several limitations of both the mechanical and the human factor involved in a certain workspace. Human beings need to rest or experience less stress when realizing a certain task or they will spend their energies quickly and begin making mistakes when working, they are also subject to illness, accidents and the need of rest. The...
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...Applied Ergonomics 34 (2003) 23–28 Technical note Corporate ergonomics programme at Ford Motor Company Bradley S. Joseph* Ford Motor Company, Health Protection Services, WHQ 532-B6, P.O. Box 1899, Dearborn, MI 48120-1899, USA Abstract The use of ergonomic principles in automobile assembly and manufacturing operations has become an important part of a comprehensive health and safety process as well as an integral part of the engineering systems. Ford Motor Company has developed an ergonomics process to manage issues related to injury and illness (e.g., musculoskeletal diseases) and to ensure the appropriate use of human resources on the plant floor. The ergonomics programme uses joint labour and management teams to identify and evaluate jobs and develop and implement solutions. This paper summarises the efforts of the Ford Motor Company in implementing and maintaining the programme. Key strategies are outlined that provide important links to internal organisational units that are critical to fully utilise the ergonomics process. In addition, the paper outlines differences between proactive and reactive efforts and shows the importance of using the information generated by the initiatives for process improvement. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ergonomics process; Proactive; Reactive; International 1. Background Ford Motor Company is the largest producer of trucks and second largest producer of vehicles in the world. They produce 70 different...
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...International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 34 (2004) 535–541 www.elsevier.com/locate/ergon Short Communication Survey of ergonomic features of supermarket cash registers$ Aviva Shinnara,Ã, Joseph Indelicatoa, Michael Altimaria, Shlomo Shinnarb a Touro College School of Health Sciences, NewYork, NY, USA Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY, USA b Received 5 January 2004; received in revised form 25 May 2004; accepted 26 May 2004 Available online 11 August 2004 Abstract This research was conducted to examine the biomechanical features of currently used cash register designs in New York State. Comparisons and conclusions about the designs are based on the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards regarding supermarket cash registers. A total of 15 supermarkets were included in the study representing a cross-section of neighborhoods. Stores were measured for heights of the various work surfaces and reach distances to the commonly used components. Results revealed that none of the stores utilized biomechanically correct designs. Disregard for certain biomechanical aspects of the register design, specifically surface heights and reach distance may contribute significantly to a high risk for injury present in the modern day job of cashiers. Relevance to industry This study highlights problems in the supermarket industry regarding compliance with ergonomic guidelines for supermarket cash...
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