10.3 Ergonomics

10.3 Ergonomics

• Ergonomics is the science of designing work environments considering worker abilities and limitations.
• Initially focused on biomechanics (anatomy and physiology), now includes psychology.
• Ergonomic design goals include:
  • Improving worker performance (including supervision and decision-making).
  • Increasing productivity and worker satisfaction.
  • Protecting and improving worker health (human-machine interfaces and workplace design).
• Physiological factors include:
  • Physiology of effort (body's energy production and use).
  • Industrial physiology (work environment's impact on the body).
• Psychological factors focus on the human-work environment cognitive interface.
• Safety is paramount in work environment design, a professional responsibility of industrial engineers.
• A 2004 Spanish study showed accident costs reached 12 billion euros (1.72% of GDP).
• Anatomical factors focus on body measurements, motion ability, and body part geometry, including:
  • Anthropometry (matching tools and environments to human body measurements).
  • Biomechanics (forces exerted by the human body).
• Information processing functions as an information system, including:
  • Information input and receiving.
  • Information processing and analysis (decision-making models).
  • Information storage and memory (information coding).
  • Decision-making and action (feedback loop).
• Designing the work environment needs to allow timely information reception, processing, decision-making, and execution, by industrial engineers.
• Motor tasks workstation design prioritizes safety, comfort, and efficiency and minimize effort to focus on non-routine decisions.

10.4 Motoric Tasks

• The motor system comprises muscles, tissues, the nervous system and skeleton.
• Bones join at joints, muscles connect to bones via tendons.
• Preventative maintenance is crucial for efficient motor system function.
• Specialization in motor tasks involves practice, repetition, and improved work methods that enhance performance.
• Training improves reflexive responses and sharpens motor skills.
• Physical effort impacts the motor system:
  • Energy consumption (muscle use transforms chemical to mechanical energy).
  • Increased oxygen demand (higher heart rate and respiration).
  • Muscle fatigue (reduced contraction ability and waste product buildup).
• Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) is caused by repetitive motions (e.g., intensive typing), a chronic condition arising regardless of intensity or speed of movement.
• External factors (heat, humidity, vibration, noise) impact motor abilities, which should be managed in work environments.
• Ergonomics designs work environments and tools considering human body limitations.
• Key areas in motor tasks include body posture, access and space, and force applications.

10.5 Body Posture

• Prolonged poor posture affects worker health.
• Example: mechanics often adopt unhealthy postures at work.

This quiz covers the principles of ergonomics, emphasizing the design of work environments to accommodate worker abilities. It includes discussions on biomechanics, psychological factors, and the importance of safety in workplace design. Learn how ergonomic practices can enhance productivity and worker satisfaction while protecting health.