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Introduction to Ergonomics

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[IEG350] Ergonomics Work Analysis

Introduction to Ergonomics
Source: Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work by Groover, M. P., Pearson Education, 2007

Dr. Suat Kasap

Physical and Cognitive Demands
Most work activities require a combination of physical and cognitive exertions

Ergonomics
• An applied scientific discipline concerned with how humans interact with the tools and equipment they use while performing tasks and other activities
• Derived from the Greek words ergon, meaning work, and nomos, meaning laws
• The word ergonomics was coined by British scientist K. F. H. Murrell and entered the English language in 1949

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 3

Human Factors
• Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics
• Ergonomics emphasizes work physiology and anthropometry
 Europe – industrial work systems
• Human factors emphasizes experimental psychology and systems engineering
 U.S. – military work systems

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 4

Objectives in Ergonomics



Greater ease of interaction between user and machine
Avoid errors and mistakes
Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of the equipment
Reduce stress and fatigue
Greater efficiency and productivity
Safer operation
Avoid accidents and injuries

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 5








Ergonomics Application Areas
• Work system design
 Objectives: safety, accident avoidance, improved functional performance
 Also includes environment such as lighting
• Product design
 Objectives: safety, comfort, user-friendly, mistake proof, avoidance of liability lawsuits

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 6

Ergonomists – What They Do
• Research on human capabilities and limitations


Discover the characteristics of human performance,
e.g., how much can an average worker lift?

• Design and engineering applications


IEG 350

Use the research findings to design better tools and work methods

Lecture 2- 7

Fitting the Person to the Job
• Considers worker’s physical and mental aptitudes in employment decisions  For example, using worker size and strength as criteria for physical work
• Common philosophy prior to ergonomics
• FPJ is still important
 For example, educational requirements for technical positions

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 8

Fitting the Job to the Person
• Opposite of FPJ
• Philosophy: design the job so that any member of the work force can perform it
• Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:
 Changes in worker skill requirements
 Demographic changes (e.g. more women in the workforce)
 Social and political changes (e.g., equal opportunity laws)

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 9

Human-Machine Systems




Basic model in ergonomics
Defined as a combination of humans and equipment interacting to achieve some desired result
Types of human-machine systems:
1.
Manual systems
2.
Mechanical systems
3.
Automated systems

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 10

Human-Machine Interactions

System Components
• The human
• The equipment
• The environment

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 12

Human Components
• Human senses - to sense the operation
 Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
• Human brain - for information processing
 Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions, solving problems • Human effectors - to take action
 Fingers, hands, feet, and voice

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 13

Machine Components
• The process – function or operation performed by humanmachine system
• Displays - to observe the process
 Direct observation for simple processes
 Artificial displays for complex processes
• Controls - to actuate and regulate the process
 Steering wheel, computer keyboard

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 14

Environmental Components
• Physical environment
 Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and humidity • Social environment
 Co-workers and colleagues at work
 Immediate supervisors
 Organizational culture
 Pace of work

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 15

Topic Areas in Ergonomics





Physical ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics
The physical work environment
Occupational safety and health

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 16

Physical Ergonomics
• How the human body functions during physical exertion
 Physiology – vital processes carried out by living organisms and how their constituent tissues and cells function
• How physical dimensions of the body affect capabilities of worker  Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the human body

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 17

Cognitive Ergonomics
• Concerned with the capabilities of the human brain and sensory system while performing information processing activities • Human cognitive processes include:
 Sensing and perception
 Use of memory
 Response selection and execution

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 18

Physical Work Environment
• Visual environment
 Lighting levels and workplace design
• Auditory environment
 Intensity and duration of noise
• Climate
 Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation
• Chemical environment
 Chemicals, poisons

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 19

Occupational Safety and Health
• Occupational safety – concerned with the avoidance of industrial accidents
 One-time events that cause injury or fatality
• Occupational Health – concerned with avoiding diseases and disorders caused by exposure to hazardous materials or conditions  Develop after prolonged periods of exposure
 May take years before symptoms reveal the onset of the malady IEG 350

Lecture 2- 20

Anthropometry
• Empirical science concerned with the physical measurements of the human body, such as height, range of joint movements, and weight
• Derived from the Greek words anthropos (man) and metron (to measure) • Usually considered a branch of anthropology

• Strength characteristics also sometimes included in the scope of anthropometry IEG 350

Lecture 2- 21

Anthropometric Analysis and Data
1. Static dimensions – body measurements while in a fixed position  Data are more easily determined, so much more static data are available
2. Dynamic dimensions – body measurements while performing some physical activity
 Probably more relevant in design

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 22

Human Variability
• Differences in body dimensions exist among people because of:
 Ethnicity and Nationality
 Heredity
 Diet
 Health
 Sex
 Age
 Living conditions

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 23

Static Dimensions of Human Body

Standing

Seated

Standing Heights of Males and Females throughout the World
Males
Region
North America
Northern Europe
Central Europe
Southeastern
Europe
India, North
India, South
Japan
Southeast Asia
Australia
(European)
Africa, North
Africa, West

IEG 350

Females

Centimeters
179
181
177
173

Inches
70.5
71.3
69.7
68.1

Centimeters
165
169
166
162

Inches
65.0
66.5
65.4
63.8

167
162
172
163
177

65.7
63.8
67.7
64.2
69.7

154
150
159
153
167

60.6
59.1
62.6
60.2
65.7

169
167

66.5
65.7

161
153

63.4
60.2

Lecture 2- 25

Anthropometric Data
• Anthropometric data for a homogeneous population usually obeys normal distribution
• Published data indicate not only mean values but also some measure of dispersion


Percentile limits on the variable
• 5th and 95th percentile points common



Standard deviation
• Applies to specific anthropometric variable (e.g., heights of females from Northern Europe)

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 26

Normal Distribution in Anthropometry
Normal distribution for a given anthropometric variable of interest Anthropometric Design Principles





Design for extreme individuals
Design for adjustability
Design for the average user
Design different sizes for different size users

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 28

Design for Extreme Individuals
• Designing for the maximum
 Doorway heights
 Automobile door openings
 Mattress sizes
• Designing for the minimum
 Heights of kitchen cabinets
 Locations of levers and dials on equipment
 Weights of portable power tools

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 29

Design for Adjustability
• To accommodate a wide range of users
• Examples:
 Automobile driver seats
 Adjustable steering wheel in an automobile
 Office chairs
 Worktable heights
 Tilt angles of computer monitors
 Lawnmower handle heights
 Bicycle handlebars

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 30

Design for Average User
• For situations in which design for extreme individuals and adjustability are not feasible
• Examples:
 Stair heights
 Stadium seats
 Sofas
 Heights of checkout counters at supermarkets
 Lengths of shovel handles

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 31

Different Sizes for Different Size Users
• When the only way to accommodate user population is to make the product in different sizes
• Examples:


Clothing



Shoes



Elementary school desks and chairs

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 32

Thank you for your attention ...

IEG 350

Lecture 2- 33

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