Ergonomics Introduction PDF

ERGONOMICS INTRODUCTION  ERGONOMICS-WHAT IS IT?  Derived from two Greek words:  ▪ “Nomoi” meaning law  ▪ “Ergon” meaning work ▪  Hence, ergonomists study human capabilities in relationship to work demands  ERGONOMICS-WHAT IS IT?  Ergonomics is a science focused on...

ERGONOMICS INTRODUCTION  ERGONOMICS-WHAT IS IT?  Derived from two Greek words:  ▪ “Nomoi” meaning law  ▪ “Ergon” meaning work ▪  Hence, ergonomists study human capabilities in relationship to work demands  ERGONOMICS-WHAT IS IT?  Ergonomics is a science focused on the study of human fitness, and decreased fatigue and discomfort through product design.  Ergonomics applied to office furniture design requires that we take into consideration how the products we design fit the people that are using them. At work, at school, or at home, when products fit the user, the result can be more comfort, higher productivity, and less stress.  DESCRİPTİON OF ERGONOMİC DESİGN  "Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Factors Play a Role in Ergonomics  A large number of factors play a role in ergonomics; these include body posture and movement (sitting, standing, lifting, pulling and pushing), environmental factors (noise, vibration, illumination, climate, chemical substances), information and operation (information gained visually or through other senses, controls, relation between displays and control), as well as work organization (appropriate tasks, interesting jobs). What Is an ErgonomIst?  In some countries it is possible to graduate as an ergonomist. Other people who are trained in one of the relevant basic technical, medical or social science fields can also acquire knowledge of, and capabilities in, ergonomics through training and experience.  in the USA, the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) awards the title Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). Professional ergonomists can work for the authorities (legislation), training institutions (universities and colleges), research establishments, the service industry (consultancy) and the production sector (occupational health services, personnel departments, design departments, research departments, etc.).  These would include, for example, industrial engineers, industrial designers, company doctors, company nurses, physiotherapists, industrial hygienists and industrial psychologists.  The Social Value of Ergonomics  Ergonomics can contribute to human well-being in terms of safety, health, and comfort.  Many work and everyday-life situations are hazardous to health. In many countries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system (mainly lower back pain) and psychological illnesses (for example, due to stress) constitute the most important causes of absence due to illness, and of occupational disability.  The Economic Value of Ergonomics  By definition, ergonomics can serve both social goals (well-being) and economic goals (performance). At society level, ergonomics can contribute to the reduction of costs due to preventable health problems such as work- related musculoskeletal disorders by improving working conditions  The societal costs include health care costs for the treatment of disorders and costs related to the loss of labor productivity due to absence from work.  At company level, ergonomics can contribute to the competitive advantage of a company. With ergonomically designed production processes, a company can increase human performance in terms of productivity and quality, and can realize important cost-reductions.  BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICS  Decreased injury risk  Increased productivity  Decreased mistakes/rework  Increased efficiency  Decreased lost work days  Decreased turnover  Improved morale General and Individual Ergonomics  An important ergonomic principle is that equipment, technical systems and tasks have to be designed in such a way that they are suited to every user  The variability within populations is such that most designs, in the first instance, are suited to only 95 per cent of the population.  This means that the design is less than optimum for five per cent of the users, who then require special, individual ergonomic measures.  Examples of groups of users, who from an ergonomic perspective require additional attention, are short or tall persons, overweight people, the handicapped, the old, the young and pregnant women.