...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...
Words: 1341 - Pages: 6
...Implementing An Ergonomic Program In Workplace Introduction To Health And Safety System Dated 04/22/2015 Introduction: Ergonomics is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting effective interaction among people, technology and the environment in which both must operate. In a more practical sense, ergonomics is the science of human comfort. When aspects of work or the workplace challenge or stress the human body beyond its capabilities, the result is often a musculoskeletal injury (MSI). O/E (overexertion injury) RSIs (repetitive stress or repetitive strain injuries) ASTDs (activity-related soft tissue disorders) CTDs (cumulative trauma disorders) Whatever name is used, these injuries belong to a group of sprain and strain injuries that can affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels, or spinal discs in the body. To help avoid MSIs, work demands should not exceed the physical capabilities of the worker. A proactive initiative will be described in the following case study is how to implement an ergonomics program into a workplace of 20 employees. Human Resources Department’s support beside management in executing the ergonomics program will increase workers productivity and proficiency. In this case study there are five steps that will be used to develop and implement the program called ‘The Leadership Activities For Managing Control Model’...
Words: 1075 - Pages: 5
...even lack basic health and fitness levels contributed to the modern day workers health issues. Therefore I find it my duty to help improve upon there factors that ours workers must endure in today’s work force. Field experience is such a valuable learning tool I searched for a many opportunities that would allow me to use my unique skill from my time in physical therapy and my back ground exercise science/ kinesiology in the health safety and ergonomics at a different level. I went out to gain the knowledge necessary to help improve myself and my candidacy in the field by taking a few ergonomics certifications and the OSHA 10 certification. That eventually allowed me the honor of receiving a job offer at Texas Instruments in Sherman, TX as an Ergonomics Specialist. The...
Words: 898 - Pages: 4
...CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND This part is introduction and background will explain about background of project, objectives, problem statement, scope of project. i. Project Title Car Jack with pneumatic system. ii. Abstract The students design a new model car jack with pneumatic system. Pneumatic system is a power transmission system that uses the force of flowing gases to transmit power. A problem statement about car jack is a lot of people need an ergonomics design to reduce musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendond, ligament, and nerves. Such as the discs in back bones. The scope of the project is the students have to design a car jack with the ergonomics design based on the human body. There are three main parts of the product. The first parts is spiral balloon. The second part is one way control valve. The third part is hose lock. iii. Keyword Carjack, ergonomics, design, pneumatic system, human body. iv. Background of Project The project is an assignment of the Industrial Design and Ergonomics. Based on the ergomics and human function, the student must design a car jack with ergonomics to help human. In this time, car jack help people to change tire. But a lot of the car jack, use a lot of energy from operator the car jack. So, we design a new model car jack with pneumatic system. Pneumatic system is a power transmission system that uses the force of flowing gases to transmit...
Words: 1459 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 1570 - Pages: 7
...The Library Ergonomics of the Automated Workstation of the Library Staffs in Angeles City Remedios DL. Baking Holy Angel University Graduate Department Library Science February 2008 Abstract The library is considered an important educational system in which the library staffs are the key persons in the provision of unquantifiable information services to library patrons and community of users. Poor working conditions affect the physical well-being of the library staffs. In line with this, the researcher attempted to find how the workstations of the library staffs and workers of the seven (7) academic institutions and eleven (11) schools institutions in Angeles City are ergonomically designed. The researcher used the descriptive method and inferential statistics such as T-test to check the significant differences between the library ergonomics of the academic and school institutions and also percentage distribution and weighted mean of the responses of the research respondents. Findings of the study showed that library staffs in both academic and school libraries were not fully ergonomically aware on the different physical factors that strain their bodies when staying in their workstation. The respondents indicated uncertainty on the comfort they have on their workstation. They also indicated that they experienced less stress on the eyes but they experienced much pain on the wrist and neck. These pains that were brought by the unergonomic...
Words: 7204 - Pages: 29
...|Analysing an Essay Question | 1. Introduction Common criteria of undergraduate essay writing focus on the following requirements: students need to be analytical and critical in their response students need to structure their writing logically students need to be persuasive writers | students need to answer the question | This booklet looks at, how to analyse your essay question. Other Learning Centre booklets in this series deal with the other aspects: • Analytical Writing deals with the difference between analytical and descriptive writing • Planning and Structuring an Essay deals with logical structures • Developing and Supporting an Argument deals with persuasion Expectations of student assignments One of the difficulties experienced by students, particularly in first year, is understanding what standard is expected in essays at tertiary level. As well as this, each subject discipline has its own ways of doing things and its own conventions about essay structure and writing style. For instance, in some subjects it is acceptable to write very personally and put forward your own opinions and feelings on a topic and in others such a personal response would not be appropriate. You need to find out the expectations and conventions...
Words: 5948 - Pages: 24
...2.1 Introduction This chapter will discuss on ergonomic risk factors for working at height that were found in previous studies. According to Min (2012), working at height is a place that a person could be injured when falling from it, even if it is at or below of ground level. Working at high level, means there are risks due to height from which a person may fall to the ground. In determining the distance that a person may fall, no obstruction that may delay or stop the fall unless there is no possibility of the fall continuing after the obstruction is reached. The consequences of not applying ergonomics or wrongly applying ergonomics may increase risks of ill-health and injury, dissatisfaction and discomfort to the workers. Besides that, many...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...Introduction Determining a design for the Integrative Project (IP) included an initial decision of medium, which was quickly determined to be the 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...
Words: 937 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 2857 - Pages: 12
...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...
Words: 6791 - Pages: 28
...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...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 4264 - Pages: 18
...1.0 INTRODUCTION Office workers make up almost half of the world's working population—that is equivalent to about several hundred millions of people, sitting at desks and staring at computer screens five to six days a week. A 2006 study (Sage Software Survey, Priority 2/2007) of 2,500 white-collared American workers estimated that 80% of the employees worked between 40 to 79 hours each week. Interestingly, there is a good deal of statistics that prove that long office hours hold countless interruptions ever so often. Houston Chronicle, February 26, 2006 Issue, published that “people switch activities, such as making a call, speaking with someone in their cubicle or working on a document, every three minutes on average” (Key Organization Systems, 2007). Heavy workload, lack of autonomy, low interpersonal support, under-utilization of skills, lack of control over work, wage scales and repetitive work environment have been cited as major contributors to workplace stress (Citation). Coincidentally, a 2006 Harvard Business Review Case ranked work-related stress as the second biggest occupational health problem in the world (Key Organization Systems, 2007). Taking another step forward, we are curious as to how musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the leading global occupational health problem that begets physical stress, is linked to work-related psychological stress. Canada’s Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) has churned out statistics that MSDs caused over 40...
Words: 2343 - Pages: 10
...| | |It is known that there are ergonomic issues regarding the use of computers in the workplace. People sit at computers for many hours and | |repetitive motion and other bodily strains result. One particular problem involves neck and back strain as people adjust the angle of | |their neck/and or their sitting posture to view the computer screen as the cursor makes its way from the top to the bottom of the screen. | |There are literally 100s of millions of people who now spend more than half their day sitting in front of a computer screen and experiencing| |all of the strain associated with this endeavour. | |We propose an innovation in computer screen design which keeps the cursor at a constant level relative to the user by either automatically | |adjusting the height through motor adjustment or through an automatic scroll feature embedded within the software. | | | |This prevents the user from having to adjust the angle of their head to view the point of data entry as it moves down the screen until there| |is a screen refresh or a page break occurs. ...
Words: 1219 - Pages: 5
