ERGONOMICS Aya ERTEN Industrial Engineering Department Dokuz Eyll

ERGONOMICS Ayça ERTEN Industrial Engineering Department Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey

What is Ergonomics? Ergo - Work n Nomos – Laws n Study of the Laws of Work Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.

What is Ergonomics? The main objective is especially fitting with the need to design, develop, implement and evaluate human-machine and environment systems that are productive, comfortable, safe and satisfying to use.

• It is a fact that people have become more knowledgeable through the centuries and they have been able to use this to help make life easier and less stressful, while accomplishing more than ever.

The History of Ergonomics The foundations of the science of ergonomics appear to have been laid within the context of the culture of Ancient Greece. A good deal of evidence indicates that Hellenic civilization in the 5 th century BC used ergonomic principles in the design of their tools, jobs, and workplaces.

Goals of Ergonomics • Reduce the risk of injury, fatigue, & error • Improve productivity & quality • Improve quality of worker environment • Increase profit • Being proactive, rather than reactive “The Main Goals” Minimize injuries Improve productivity & quality

Benefits of Ergonomics

What do Ergonomists do? • Communication Share ideas with everyone involved ( manager, employee, ergonomist ) • Recognize Potential Risks Identify possible risks such as forces, awkward postures & repetition • Assess the job Quantitatively & qualitatively • Recommend & Justify Changes Administrative & engineering changes • Follow-Up Evaluate the changes made (success in both short & long term)

Some Areas of Application for Ergonomics 1) Accidents, Health and Safety at Work 2) Office Ergonomics and Design 3) Design and Layout of Displays and Controls 4) Product Design and Consumer Ergonomics 5) Human Reliability 6) Industrial Design Applications 7) Ergonomics Training for Management and Staff 8)Work-related Musculoskeletal Problems

Industrial Engineering • Work Methods • Facility Layout • Work Flow Anthropometry Psychology Biomechanics Physiology Industrial Ergonomics Methods Analysis Workplace Design Machine & Equipment Design Tool Design Operator Assignments & Job Design

Two approaches to ergonomics are reactive ergonomics and proactive ergonomics. Reactive ergonomics is acting in response to an issue that has already became a problem while, proactive ergonomics is to discover potential problems before they take place.

• Proactive Ergonomics saves on work injuries, increases productivity, and individual organization. • Proactive Ergonomics is the best approach but often the most forgotten.

n Ergonomists are usually contacted AFTER a work-related injury is reported, rather than BEFORE. n Practicing proactive ergonomics will increase the probability that the benefits exceed the cost in the short and long term.

Why Proactive Ergonomics? “ STOP THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT STARTS”

Ergonomics in the Workplace: n Ergonomics can help reduce costs by improving safety. This would decrease the money paid out in workers’ compensation.

n Workplaces may either take the reactive or proactive approach when applying ergonomics practices. Reactive ergonomics is when something needs to be fixed, and corrective action is taken. n Proactive ergonomics is the process of seeking areas that could be improved and fixing the issues before they become a large problem.

Why is Ergonomics Important? Ergonomics is the study of the workplace design. It is important because it studies and finds ways to make workers more comfortable and satisfied with proper use, absences are decreased and productivity is increased.

Bench top devices like this adjustable height stand or this turntable allow complete access to the work while seated or standing.

Office workers often complaint of aches, pain and strains from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). MSD are syndromes characterised by discomfort, impairment, disability, or persistent pains in joints, muscles, tendons or other soft tissues. The way the workstation is designed affects the posture that one adopts while working. Therefore, the workstation should be designed to place the person in the best position to enable him/her to perform the work in comfort.

Some of the encouraging comments about Ergonomics: “Ergonomics was able to help solve our productivity problems for us. ” - BONAR PACKAGING "They exceeded our expectations with their expertise and consultation. " - IMPERIAL TOBACCO "Ergonomics continues to develop new solutions for us. " - DOFASCO