Ergonomics & Occupational/Physical Therapy

Course Information

• Ergonomics will be assessed via a class test.
• A minimum of two ergonomics assignments will be given.
• A recommended text is Jacobs (ed.) (2008), Ergonomics for Therapists, Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis.

Course Outline

• Principles of Ergonomics are covered.
• Macroergonomics are studied.
• Ergonomic Assessments are learnt.
• Anthropometry is reviewed.
• Lifting Techniques and Analysis are taught.
• Seating is part of the material.
• Workstation Design is a topic.
• Ergonomics in Disability Management is part of the course.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

• OT is the use of assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain meaningful activities for individuals, groups, or communities.
• OT is a client-centered health profession focused on promoting health and well-being through occupation.
• The main goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals participate in everyday life activities.

Physiotherapy (PT)

• PT is also known as physical therapy.
• PT uses mechanical force and movements (biomechanics or kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy.
• PT remediates impairments and promotes mobility and function.
• Physical therapists offer services to develop, maintain, and restore people's maximum movement and functional ability.
• Physical therapists can assist individuals at any life stage when movement and function are threatened by various factors like aging, injury, or diseases.
• Physiotherapy is defined as a treatment method focused on the science of movement.
• Physiotherapy helps people restore, maintain, and maximize their physical strength, function, motion, and overall well-being by addressing the underlying physical issues.

Ergonomics: Definition

• Ergonomics comes from the Greek words "érgon" (work) and "nomos" (natural law).
• Ergonomics studies work performance, emphasizing worker safety and productivity (Berg Rice, 2008).
• It's an applied science focused on designing and arranging things for efficient and safe interaction between people and objects.
• Ergonomics is a body of knowledge regarding human abilities, limitations, and other human characteristics relevant to design.
• It is a scientific discipline that seeks to understand the interactions between humans and other elements of a system.
• It is also a profession that applies theories, principles, data, and methods to design in order to improve human well-being and overall system performance.
• Ergonomists contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments, and systems for compatibility with human needs, abilities, and limitations.

History of Ergonomics

• Ergonomics has roots dating back to the Stone Age (8700 BCE and 2000 BCE).
• Wojciech Jastrzebowski's 1857 work, "An Outline of Ergonomics, or The Science of Work Based upon the Truths Drawn from the Science of Nature," is the first mention of it.
• The Industrial Revolution led to ergonomics becoming a specialized field.
• The field received increased attention during World War II as military equipment complexity exceeded human operator capabilities.
• Ergonomics science and research have led to greater awareness of ergonomic issues in designing for special populations, including children, older adults, and those with disabilities.

The Field of Ergonomics

• Ergonomics emerged from shared interests among engineering, psychology, and medicine.
• Ergonomists can have degrees in psychology, engineering, ergonomics, industrial design, education, physiology, medicine, health and rehabilitation sciences, business administration, computer science, and industrial hygiene.

Ergonomics and Rehabilitation

• OT and PT professionals should learn and understand ergonomics.

Five Principle Areas (Domains) of Ergonomics

• Ergonomics-for-one (individuals who have a disability) is key.
• Ergonomics for special populations is included.
• Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries is an important area.
• Equipment design is one of the principles.
• Application of disability laws and policies is a principle.

Ergonomics Practice Arenas for Therapists

• Ergonomics practice includes workplace analysis aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal trauma.
• Workplace and tool design for individuals with disabilities is part of ergonomics practice.
• Research through the development and use of databases is involved in the practice of ergonomics.

Assignment Information

• The assignment requires a minimum of eight references (journals or textbooks)
• Assignment 1: Discuss the areas in which therapists practice ergonomics and justify its use.
• Assignment 2: Discuss your profession, and the ergonomics practice arena, in relation to your profession.
• The assignment is worth 50 marks.