ERGONOMICS ERGON WORK NOMOS LAW The Laws to

ERGONOMICS ERGON --> WORK NOMOS --> LAW The Laws to be Observed at Work

Human Factor Engineering Human Factors Engineering Physical and mental work capacity Fatigue Body forces, strength and posture Body sizes Thermal comfort/ heat stress/cold stress Vision Hearing Perception Industrial design Work place design Product design Furniture design Machine design Ventilation Lighting Information processing Decision making Performance and efficiency Adaptation and rehabilitation Behavior & social relations Acoustics Engineering control (Chemical & Physical) Building orientation Maintenance

Ergonomics Ø Ergonomics means literally the study or measurement of Work Ø In addition to work as labour for monetary gain, work also includes éSports éLeisure activities éDomestic work éEducation and training éHealth and social services

Ergonomics considers human operators variability 4 An automobile design has to consider – Range of physical size and strengths of users – Seats are comfortable – Controls readily identifiable and within easy reach – Clear visibility front and rear – Easily read internal instruments – Ease of entry and egress

AIMS OF ERGONOMICS èEnsures that human needs for safe and efficient working are met in the design of work system èTo design èAppliances èTechnical Systems èTasks In such a way to improve èHuman Safety èHealth èComfort and èPerformance

Basic aims of ergonomics äEfficiency in purposeful activity äTo achieve desired result without äWaste äError äDamage to persons äWorking situation in harmony with the activities of the worker

Difficulties in achieving the aims of ergonomics èHuman operator is flexible and adaptable èLarge individual differences èObvious differences: --> Physical size, strength èNot obvious differences --> Culture, style, level of skill Thus a systematic approach and theory are necessary. There should be measurable objectives to be checked and remedial action taken. A detailed study of the science of ergonomics provides these approaches and theories

DEFINITIONS OF ERGONOMICS ä Ergonomics is a means of improving working conditions and reducing illness at work ä Ergonomics attempts to ‘Fit the Job to the Man’ rather than ‘Fit the Man to the Job’ ä Ergonomics is concerned with the design of systems in which people carry out work ä Ergonomics optimizes Efficiency, Health, Safety and Comfort of people through better designs of products and work places

Who is a human operator? è Skilled professional using a complex machine in an artificial environment è Customer who has purchased a new equipment è Child sitting in a classroom è Disabled person in a wheel chair

ERGONOMICS and DISCIPLINES • Ergonomics is a Multi-Disciplinary Science • Ergonomics is also an Inter-Disciplinary Science

ERGONOMICS

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS PSYCHOLOGY PHYSIOLOGY -COGNITIVE -ENVIRONMENTAL -WORK -SOCIAL ERGONOMICS ANATOMY -ANTHROPOMETRY -BIOMECHANICS

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS ECONOMICS LAW MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY PHYSIOLOGY -COGNITIVE -ENVIRONMENTAL -WORK -SOCIAL ERGONOMICS -WORK INDUSTRIAL DESIGN TOXICOLOGY ANATOMY ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE -ANTHROPOMETRY -BIOMECHANICS OPERATIONS RESEARCH ENGINEERING

DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS ECONOMICS LAW ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE MANAGEMENT MANUFACTURING PSYCHOLOGY PHYSIOLOGY -COGNITIVE -ENVIRONMENTAL -WORK -SOCIAL ERGONOMICS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN TOXICOLOGY ANATOMY ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE SYSTEMS DESIGN -ANTHROPOMETRY -BIOMECHANICS OPERATIONS RESEARCH ENGINEERING WORK ORGANIZATION

ERGONOMICS

PROFESSIONS HAVING COMPLEMENTARY ROLES WITH ERGONOMICS Occupational Safety Civil Officer Engineer Health Officer Mechanical Engineer Industrial ERGONOMICS Nurse Architect Physiotherapist Ind. Medical Officer Industrial Social Psychologist Designer

ERGO-SYSTEMS • Simple ergo-systems e e H H M • Complex ergo-systems e MM e M H MHM H H H

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is: l “Higher productivity and a better place to work” l “The science that saves both lives and dollars” l “Human engineering where the goal is to optimize worker well being and productivity” l “A way of thinking about and planning work so that it suits the capabilities and needs of the people”

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? Ergonomics is a solution finding method for questions like these: _ How can human body dimensions be applied to car seat design? _ What is the proper height for kitchen counters? _ How can traffic lights be programmed for optimal urban traffic flow throughout the day? _ How can stereo receiver displays and controls be coded to effectively define their respective functions? _ How can the material and design of swim suits for competition be improved for minimal water resistance? _ How should computer software and screens work and look best to fit human cognitive capabilities?

Ergonomic needs in a workplace § Physical work environment § Thermal comfort § Noise and vibration control § Adequate and proper lighting § Chemical environment § Control of pollution § General and exhaust ventilation § Work physiology § § Control excessive physical load Avoid physical and muscular fatigue Adequate rest pauses Arrangement of static and dynamic work

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd. ) § Anthropometry (Body sizes) § § Designs to fit body sizes of users Appropriate working levels Adequate work space Avoid overcrowding of machines and workers § Occupational Biomechanics § Appropriate work postures (sitting, standing) § Safe load lifting and carrying techniques § Adopt proper techniques in manual materials handling

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd. ) § Psychological aspects § § § Avoid perceptual and mental loads and fatigue Appropriate design of displays and control Appropriate conditions for Vigilance tasks Avoid human error and stress Job motivation and satisfaction § Social psychology § Practice good relationship among employees and between employer and employee

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd, ) § Macro ergonomics § § § § § Suitable working hours , intervals, holidays, leave Appropriate shift schedules Welfare facilities Job rotation and incentives schemes Fair salary structure, Good administrative structure Good work organization schemes Fringe benefits (housing, transport, sports) Labour union facilities Training and education Promotional prospects

Ergonomic needs in a workplace (Contd. ) § Safety and Ergonomics § Good housekeeping § Performance feedback § Systems ergonomics § Systems groups in problem solving and development work § Participative ergonomics § User centered designs

Benefits of ergonomics è Productivity è Product quality è Safety è Health è Reliability è Job satisfaction è Personal development

The Questions Employers Need Answers For: n n n n n Developing new products Increasing production capacity Identifying equipment and labor needs Identifying costs of manufacturing products Determining work hours and shift schedules Defining job productivity and quality standards Setting compensation levels Identifying skills for tasks Structuring tasks into jobs Increasing the available workforce by reducing problematic tasks

TRADITIONAL AND PRESENT DAY TOOLS AND MACHINES Traditional 4 Relatively simple 4 Made by the user 4 Small number made 4 Design error - small consequences 4 Product competitiveness unimportant 4 Restricted user- population characteristics Present Day Increasingly complex Made by a manufacturer Large number made Design error - profound consequences Marketing competitiveness vital Wide variation in user population

HOW CAN ERGONOMICS CONTRIBUTE TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 4 By adaptation of technology of the west 4 By improving working conditions through ergonomics interventions 4 By developing traditional methods 4 In acquiring modern technology 4 In modifying techniques Need Training and Education in Ergonomics

Ergonomic contributions to development in industrially developing countries 2 Research on basic data needs 2 Promote special abilities 2 Refine simple methods 2 More appropriate “experts” 2 Action learning (Learning by doing, not imitating) 2 Better supported education and research 2 Re-conceptualize standard setting

Present trend of occupational diseases and complaints Factors % of diseases and complaints l Ergonomics 52. 9 l Chemicals 22. 1 l Noise 12. 1 l Biological 3. 2 l Other causes 9. 5 WHY? èMore sedentary work èFewer distinct work types èLess muscle usage èMore static than dynamic work

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Materials storage and handling ò Clear and mark transport routes ò Provide ramps of 5 -8% inclination instead of small stairs ò Use mechanical devices for lifting, lowering and moving heavy material ò Instead of carrying heavy weights divide them into smaller lightweights e. g. 2 x 10 kg instead of 20 kg. ò Combine heavy lifting with physically lighter tasks

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Hand Tools 4 Use hanging tools for operations repeated in the same place 4 Provide hand support when using precision tools 4 Provide hand tools with a grip of the proper thickness (hand diameter 30 -40 mm, handle length 125 mm and size to fit male hands) 4 Provide a home for each tool (Enables good housekeeping)

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Production machine safety ã Locate controls in sequence of operations ã Make displays and signals easy to distinguish and easy to read ã Use properly fixed guards and interlock devices

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Improving workstation design ýAdjust the working height around elbow level ýLight work: at elbow level ýPrecision work: above elbow level ýHard work: below elbow level

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Lighting • • • Increased use of daylight Light up the work area evenly Sufficient lighting for working Local lighting for precision work Removing shiny surfaces Avoid glare

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Premises ÔPrevent the exposure to excessive heat ÔInstall effective local exhaust systems ÔIncrease the use of natural ventilation

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Welfare facilities • Provide effective and acceptable personal protective devices

Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints) Work Organization • Involve worker in planning • Inform the worker the results of their work • Job enrichment (combine tasks)