Human Factor Engineering Human Factors Engineering
Physical and mental work capacity Industrial design Fatigue Work place design Body forces, strength and posture Product design Body sizes Furniture design Thermal comfort/ heat stress/cold stress Machine design Vision Ventilation Hearing Lighting
Perception Acoustics Information processing Engineering control Decision making (Chemical & Physical) Performance and efficiency Building orientation Adaptation and rehabilitation Maintenance Behavior & social relations
Ergonomics
Ergonomics means literally the study or measurement of Work
In addition to work as labour for monetary gain, work also includesSportsLeisure activitiesDomestic workEducation and trainingHealth and social services
Ergonomics considers human operators variability
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
Ensures that human needs for safe and efficient working are met in the design of work system
To design Appliances Technical Systems Tasks In such a way to improve
Human Safety Health Comfort and Performance
Basic aims of ergonomics
Efficiency in purposeful activityTo achieve desired result withoutWasteErrorDamage to persons
Working situation in harmony with the activities of the worker
Difficulties in achieving the aims of ergonomics
Human operator is flexible and adaptableLarge individual differences
Obvious differences: --> Physical size, strength
Not 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
Ergonomics is a means of improving working conditions and reducing illness at work
Ergonomics attempts to ‘Fit the Job to the Man’ rather than ‘Fit the Man to the Job’
Ergonomics is concerned with the design of systems in which people carry out work
Ergonomics optimizes Efficiency, Health, Safety and Comfort of people through better designs of products and work places
Who is a human operator?
Skilled professional using a complex machine in an artificial environmentCustomer who has purchased a
new equipmentChild sitting in a classroomDisabled person in a wheel chair
ERGONOMICS and DISCIPLINES
• Ergonomics is a Multi-Disciplinary Science
• Ergonomics is also an Inter-Disciplinary Science
DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS
PSYCHOLOGY
-COGNITIVE
-WORK
-SOCIAL
ANATOMY
-ANTHROPOMETRY
-BIOMECHANICS
PHYSIOLOGY
-ENVIRONMENTAL
-WORK
DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS
PSYCHOLOGY
-COGNITIVE
-WORK
-SOCIAL
ANATOMY
-ANTHROPOMETRY
-BIOMECHANICS
PHYSIOLOGY
-ENVIRONMENTAL
-WORK
TOXICOLOGY
ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
ENGINEERING
MANAGEMENTLAWECONOMICS
DISCIPLINES IN ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS
PSYCHOLOGY
-COGNITIVE
-WORK
-SOCIAL
ANATOMY
-ANTHROPOMETRY
-BIOMECHANICS
PHYSIOLOGY
-ENVIRONMENTAL
-WORK
ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE MANUFACTURING
WORK ORGANIZATIONSYSTEMS DESIGN
TOXICOLOGY
ENVRONMENTAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
ENGINEERING
MANAGEMENTLAWECONOMICS
PROFESSIONS HAVING COMPLEMENTARY ROLES WITH
ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS
Safety
OfficerCivil
Engineer
Mechanical
Engineer
Architect
Industrial
DesignerSocial
Psychologist
Ind. Medical
Officer
Physiotherapist
Industrial
Nurse
Occupational
Health Officer
WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Ergonomics is: “Higher productivity and a better place to work” “The science that saves both lives and dollars” “Human engineering where the goal is to
optimize worker well being and productivity” “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
ProductivityProduct qualitySafetyHealthReliabilityJob satisfactionPersonal development
The Questions Employers Need Answers For:
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 Present Day Relatively simple Increasingly complex Made by the user Made by a manufacturer Small number made Large number made Design error - small Design error - profound
consequences consequences Product competitive-Marketing competitiveness
ness unimportant vital Restricted user- popu- Wide variation in user
lation characteristics population
HOW CAN ERGONOMICS CONTRIBUTE TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN
INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
By adaptation of technology of the west By improving working conditions through ergonomics
interventions By developing traditional methods In acquiring modern technology In modifying techniques
Need Training and Education in Ergonomics
Ergonomic contributions to development in industrially developing countries
Research on basic data needsPromote special abilitiesRefine simple methodsMore appropriate “experts”Action learning (Learning by doing, not
imitating)Better supported education and researchRe-conceptualize standard setting
Present trend of occupational diseases and complaints Factors % of diseases and complaintsErgonomics 52.9Chemicals 22.1Noise 12.1Biological 3.2Other causes 9.5 WHY?More sedentary workFewer distinct work typesLess muscle usageMore static than dynamic work
Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)
Materials storage and handlingClear and mark transport routesProvide ramps of 5-8% inclination instead of
small stairsUse mechanical devices for lifting, lowering
and moving heavy materialInstead of carrying heavy weights divide them
into smaller lightweights e.g. 2x10 kg instead of 20 kg.
Combine heavy lifting with physically lighter tasks
Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)
Hand Tools
Use hanging tools for operations repeated in the same place
Provide hand support when using precision tools
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)
Provide a home for each tool (Enables good housekeeping)
Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)
Production machine safety
Locate controls in sequence of operations
Make displays and signals easy to distinguish and easy to read
Use properly fixed guards and interlock devices
Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)
Improving workstation design
Adjust the working height around elbow levelLight work: at elbow levelPrecision work: above elbow levelHard 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
Prevent the exposure to excessive heatInstall effective local exhaust systemsIncrease the use of natural ventilation
Some important ergonomic requirements (From ILO Ergonomic Checkpoints)
Welfare facilities
• Provide effective and acceptable personal protective devices