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Introduction To Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to the individual worker. It aims to enhance worker safety, well-being and productivity by designing tasks, tools, and environments to match human abilities. The key principles of ergonomics include maintaining neutral postures, reducing excessive forces and repetitive motions, keeping items within easy reach, providing proper clearances, and maintaining a comfortable workspace.

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Maraka Martin
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83 views58 pages

Introduction To Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to the individual worker. It aims to enhance worker safety, well-being and productivity by designing tasks, tools, and environments to match human abilities. The key principles of ergonomics include maintaining neutral postures, reducing excessive forces and repetitive motions, keeping items within easy reach, providing proper clearances, and maintaining a comfortable workspace.

Uploaded by

Maraka Martin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Ergonomics

HMK
Sub-topics
• Routine human posture;

• sitting,

• standing

• kneeling

• Bending

• etc.
Definitions
• The process of matching people to work

• The science of fitting jobs to the individual worker

• ‘The study of problems of people in adjusting to


their (work) environment’
A History of Ergonomics
• Root: Greek words

• ‘Ergo’ = Work ‘Nomos’ = Rule

• Working hours and conditions not tolerable in


some mines and factories

• Need for laws to set limits


History
• Faster, heavier work led to more and worse
accidents

• Production of automated equipment started

• Workers role shifted from carrying and moving to;

– Monitor

– Trouble shooter

– Maintainer
Perspectives of Ergonomics
• Corrective Ergonomics
– Making corrections in what is wrong

• Prospective Ergonomics
– Searching for alternative designs in work design
which prevent fatigue and exhaustion
The Basis of Ergonomics
• The human body is adaptable but not infinitely

• There are ranges of optimum conditions

• Ergonomics establishes the limits of these ranges


and the effects of exceeding them

• Also establishes the designs suitable to avoid


exceeding these limits
The Ergonomic Triad
Ergonomic Triad

• There are inherent risk factors present in the


– Worker:

• Size

• Age, gender

• Mobility

• Vision etc
Ergonomic triad
– Environment:
• Exposures: heat, dusts, radiation, light etc

– Task:
• Nature e.g. repetitive

• Tools: speed, sharpness

• Working hours

• etc
Risk Factors from the Worker
• Age:
– Recovery from pain reduces with age

• Gender

– No significant difference in symptoms due to


gender and sex differences

• Physical activity
– May cause injury if no protective gears
Risk factors from the Worker
• Strength
– Heavy work stresses the body leading to fatigue
– Probability of injury increases as muscles weaken

• Anthropometry
– Workers come in different sizes and shapes
– Most work is designed for the ‘average’ person
– Body parameters: height, weight, BMI (w/h2), arm-
length, circumference determine the ease of use of
facilities
Some Mechanics

Effort Distance Load Distance

Effort
Fulcrum Load
Effort x Effort Distance = Load x Load Distance
Lifting heavy objects exerts a lot of force on the spine
e.g. Lifting 5 kg in a stretched arm (about 60 cm) exerts
about 20 kg on the spine
However, in a folded arm (about 10 cm) it exerts about 3kg
on the spine
Risk Factors from the Environment
• Heat
– tropical heat
– Friction
– Body heat
– Chemical reactions
– Engines
– Welding etc

• Cold
– Frozen surfaces
– Winter
Risk Factors from the Environment
• Whole body vibration
– E.g. lorry drivers

• Lighting
– Correct direction and distribution
– Freedom from shadows and extreme contrasts

• Sound
– Loud sounds damage membranes in the ear

• Psychosocial environment
– Response by management to ergonomic problems
The Purpose of Ergonomics
• Safety and health
– occupational injury and illness reduction

• Improvement of Productivity and Efficiency

• Improvement of Reliability and Quality

• Job satisfaction and Personal development

• Reduction of Sickness Absenteeism

• Compliance with regulations

• Compensation in case of damage


Aims of Ergonomics

Improve quality
and quantity of
Enhance Worker Safety product
and well-being

A two-fold Objective
Scope of Ergonomics
• Engineering

• Anthropometry

• Architecture

• Medicine

• etc
Principles of Ergonomics
Principle 1:
Work in Neutral Posture
Maintain the S-curve of the Spine

• Maintain the s-curve of the spine

• This is the ‘natural’ or ‘neutral’ posture

• The best occupations are those that keep


this posture
Standing
• When standing, put one foot on an elevated
footrest

• This helps keep the spine in its natural position


Sitting
• While seated, support the lumbar area of the
back

• Good lumbar support helps keep the S-curve


Principle 2:
Reduce Excessive Force
Pulling Objects
• Excessive force on the joints creates potential
for fatigue and injury

• Pulling such a heavy box puts much strain on


your back

• Improving the floor surface reduces the force


needed to pull the object
Principle 3:
Keep Everything in Easy Reach
• Keep everything that you use frequently in
easy reach

• Things that you use very frequently should be


within reach of your fore-arms
Principle 4:
Work at Proper Heights
Do Most Work At Elbow Height
• Whether sitting or standing, keep work at
elbow height
• Exceptions to the rule:
– Heavy work is better done below elbow level

– Precision work is better done above elbow level

– Visually intense work is better done above elbow


level, at eye level
Principle 5:
Reduce Excessive Motions
Use Power Tools
• They do the movements instead of your joints
Principle 6:
Minimise Fatigue and Static Load
Static Load
• Holding the same position for long creates
fatigue and discomfort

• Examples:
– Holding a pen in an exam

– Holding arms above the head


Principle 7:
Minimise Pressure Points
Contact Stress
• Excessive pressure on a single point for long
causes contact stress

• Avoid leaning on a sharp object or edge


Principle 8:
Provide Clearance
Provide Adequate Clearance
• Avoid knocking your head on objects by creating
enough head room

• Avoid working in confined space: create leg and


arm room

• Clear your way of objects

• Ensure you see where you are going: don’t block


your view
Principle 9:
Move, Exercise and Stretch
• Stretch and warm up before work (for strenuous
work)

• Take ‘energy breaks’ frequently (for sedentary


work)

• Shift postures frequently

• Adjust seat and table height

• Alternate between sitting and standing


Principle 10:
Maintain a Comfortable Environment
Light
• Lighting is a common problem

• Computer screens reflect light into the users’ eyes

• The light may be too much and uncomfortable for the


eyes causing

• Working in your own shadow can be a problem: have


light by your (left) side

• Insufficient and flickering light cause eye strain


Vibration
• Whole body vibration: e.g. while traveling on
rough roads, may be reduced by good shock
absorbers

• Segmental: e.g. during drilling, may be


reduced by using a powered driller
Noise
• Avoid noise in the workplace

• If unavoidable, reduce the level of noise


through silencing equipment
Principle 11:
Make Displays and Controls Understandable
Use Understandable Codes
• Is important for proper and safe operation of
equipment

• Avoids misuse and dangerous use

• Train staff on the meaning of codes

• They should know the remedial measures in case


of emergency e.g. switching off, the location of
the main switch, emergency exit etc
Use Understandable Codes
• Examples:
– Red = ‘Hot’ / ‘Danger’

– Blue = ‘Cold’

– Green = ‘Safe’

– Switch up = ‘On’ / ‘In’

– ‘Keep Left’
Principle 12:
Improve Work Organisation
Ensure a Programme of Work
• Workers should know what to do, when to do
it, how to do it and what is expected of them

• Absence of order predisposes to tampering


and accidents

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