ERGONOMICSHUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING

AGENDA
A. Definition
B. Purpose of Ergonomics
C. Physiological basis of work
- Static and dynamic muscular effort
- Energy expenditures
- Occupational biomechanics
- Anthropometrics
- Anthropometric applications
D. Identifying Ergonomic-Related Problems
E. Overexertion Low Back Injuries
F. Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders
G. Machine Displays and Controls
H. Displays
I. Controls
J. Establishing an Ergonomics Program
A.
Definition:
Ergonomics- is the study of human characteristics for the appropriate design of the living
and work environment.
Human Factors- is slanted toward an understanding of the users role in overall system
performance. Human Factors Engineering- is the application of these concepts.
B.
Purpose of Ergonomics
Is to design a system wherein the workplace layout, the work methods, the machines and
equipment, and the general work environment (such as noise and illumination) are
compatible with the physical and behavioral limitations of the worker(s).
When there is a mismatch between what the worker can physically and behaviorally
provide in comparison to what the job require, then the result can be injuries, poor work
efficiency, poor work quality, and other downgrading incidents.

MATCH

What the worker brings to the

the job

What the job brings to the

Worker

Anthropometric
Characteristics

Workstation
Layout

Individual Work Methods

Hand Tool Design

Characteristics

Production Quotas
MISMATCH

Figure - 1.
The purpose of Ergonomics is to design a system where the general work
environment is compatible with the physical and behavior limitations of the workers. The
better the match, the higher the level of safety and work efficiency.

Applications

The applications of ergonomics can be applied to safety and health problems such as
overexertion injuries to the low back, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of disabling injuries with ergonomic implications:

A drop hammer operator at a forging press was using tongs to lift a heated part weighing
55 lb (25 kg) out of a forging die. Because of the size and positioning of the die, the
operator was forced to lift the part straight up with his arms extended in front of him.
This action resulted in a low back injury.

A punch press operator was repeatedly lifting 4 lb (1.8 kg) metal disk blades from a pallet
and flipping them prior to placement on a press stock-up table. The repetitious act
resulted in wrist tendonitis.

A worker received a low-back injury from repetitive bending over and reaching into tubs
and pallet boxes to lift small light-weight parts.
A.

PHYSIOLOGOCAL BASIS OF WORK

Static and dynamic muscular effort

STATIC LOAD AND BODY PAINS

WORK POSTURE

Standing in one place

Trunk curved toward sitting or

standing
Arm outstretched, sideways forward
or upwards
Head excessively inclined backwards
or forwards
Unnatural grasp of hand grip or tools

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES,
AFFECTING
Feet and legs, possibly varicose veins
Lumbar region, deterioration of
intervertebral disks
Shoulders and upper arms; possibly
periarthtritis of shoulders
Neck, deterioration of intervertebral
disks
Forearm; possibly inflammation of
tendons

Figure -2.
Jobs that require spending extended periods in a single posture or position can
adversely affect the body.

Energy expenditures
- Strength is often thought of as the main requirement for manual jobs
performance.
- Heavy work results in a high energy expenditure and severe stress on the
heart and lungs.
- High energy expenditures can result in fatigue-either general or localized.
As muscles fatigue, they are weakened and more likely to be injured.
Occupational biomechanics

Biomechanics- is the study of the mechanical properties of the human

musculoskeletal system during normal daily activities.
Occupational Biomechanics- is an applied discipline concerned with the
mismatching of worker physical capacities and job requirements.
Occupational biomechanical models provide a means of evaluating the physical
stress of jobs to determine the degree of risk.
The applications of occupational biomechanical models are:
1. To evaluate current working conditions
2. To develop better workplacs
3. To set guidelines for lifting aactivity, seated work, hand-tool design, wholebody and segment vibration, and workplace layout, and
4. To help determine worker selection and training criteria.

B.

Anthropometrics
The science of anthropometry takes into account human differences by
measuring various characteristics, such as body dimensions, weights, and
physical range of mobility.

Anthropometric applications
- If the working height is too high, the shoulders must be frequently lifted to
compensate, leading to pain in the shoulders and neck.
- If the working height is too low, the back must lean forward leading to
backache.
- A favorable standing work height is 2to 4 in. (5 to 10 cm) below elbow
height.
- A work height of between 37 to 41 in. (94 to 104 cm) will accommodate
most males.
- A work height between 34 to 38 in. (86 to 96 cm) will accommodate most
females.
- Working height should be set to suit the tallest workers. Smaller workers
can be given something to stand on, assuming this doesnt create a tripping
problem.

IDENTIFYING ERGONOMIC-RELATED PROBLEMS

For major components in an ergonomic control prevention program:
1. Identify existing or potential problems
2. Identify and evaluate risk factors causing the problems
3. Design and implement corrective (engineering and administrative) measures
4. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of corrective measures introduced.
Two approaches to obtaining the information from the existing problems:
1. Using passive, or
2. Using active data.

C.

OVEREXERTION LOW BACK INJURIES

Activities leading to low back pain
Lifting
Lowering

F.

Pushing
Pulling; and
Carrying
Poor housekeeping
Slippery floors causing tripping
Slipping; and
Falling hazards
Crowded or unorganized work conditions

UPPER EXTREMITY CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS

Risk factors
Cumulative Trauma Disorders can be caused by:
Repetitive motions
Forceful exertions
Awkward postures
Mechanical stress (pressure of body part on sharp edges of tools or equipment)
Vibration level of hand tool
Exposure to cold
Gloves
Carpal tunnel syndrome- is an impairment of the median nerve inside the wrist, and
is usually caused by repeated trauma.
Performing a job study
The purpose of a job study is to determine the causal relationship between the CTD
injury and the work task.
Control Interventions
Two types of control approaches:
1. Administrative Control- consist of early medical intervention, work training,
matching workers to job demands, and job rotation. (The disadvantage of
administrative controls is that they treat the symptoms and not he cause of
biomechanical stress.
2. Engineering Controls- are aimed at eliminating the sources of biomechanical
stress through engineering and design. Ex. Bending the handles of handtools to
keep the wrist in a neutral position, lowering or raising work tables,
reorganizing the work process, reducing hand forces, and substituting hand
grips for pinch grips can successfully be used to reduce biomechanical forces of
the hands and arms.

G.

MACHINE DISPLAYS AND CONTROLS

How machines and equipment are activated, and how information is given to the
operator through dials or gauges, has a definite effect on work efficiency and worker
safety.

H.

DISPLAYS
TWO MAJOR TYPES OF DISPLAYS:
Visual; and

Auditory

VISUAL DISPLAY are used for on of three purposes:

Quantitative readings- to determine the exact quantity involved, such as scale
Qualitative readings- to determine the state or condition at which the machine is
functioning-usually three conditions, such as above, within, or below tolerance.
Dichotomous (check) readings- to check operations or to identify one or two levels,
such as OFF or ON.
AUDITORY DISPLAYS
To evaluate existing displays (visual or auditory), the following should be considered:
Is the display intensity higher than the lower threshold level for that sense?
(Because each sense has its own threshold level, energy intensifies below it cannot
be perceived.)
Is the sense overloaded? What other demands are being made on this sense at the
time the display in question is to be read?
Is the display compatible with similar displays, controls, and machine movements?
What environment factors, if any, could mask the display?
I.

CONTROLS
A control is anything-a switch, lever, pedal, button, knob, or keyboard-used by
an operator to put information into a system.
Safety is jeopardized if an operator misreads a poorly designed display and
operates the wrong control or the right control in the wrong direction.
CONTROL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Compatibility- just as in the design of displays, control movement should be
designed to be compatible with the display and machine movement.
Coding
A good coding system can reduce many errors. Ex. Of this concept:
- Shape and texture can be used to code controls. This is useful where
illumination is low or where a control needs to be identified and operated
through touch only.
- Location is another way to code controls.
- Color can also be used as a coding technique for various controls.
- Labels. All controls require some type of labeling to identify their function.

J.

ESTABLISHING AN ERGONOMIC PROGRAM

The role of ergonomics within an organization:
A means to reduce workers compensation and associated costs, and improve
worker productivity and safety.
An enhancement to traditional approaches used by engineers, safety practitioners
and others within an organization.
An opportunity to show workers that management cares and solicits their help in
the program.
To establish an OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS PROGRAM, three basic
approaches should be used:
Obtain management commitment.
Establish training programs.

Encourage participation by those affected.

OBTAIN MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT. This is mandatory in establishing and

continuing a successful occupational ergonomics program. If the highest level of
management is actively committed to the program, then the program becomes a priority
of the organization and is reflected throughout.
ESTABLISH TRAINING PROGRAMS. This includes creating an awareness
throughout an organization of what ergonomics is and how it can be used to solve
safety and health problems.
Types of training (awareness-education):
Management should receive awareness training covering the organizations over-all
ergonomic safety and health problems to encourage its commitment to the program.
Engineering staff, such as industrial and selected plant engineers, should receive
specialized training on ergonomic problem recognition and problem solving.
Supervisors and wage workers should receive training on problem recognition.
Ergonomic committee members should receive training on problem recognition and
problem solving.
Other staff personnel (including those from the medical, personnel, and industrial
relations departments) participating in an ergonomics program need awareness and
problem recognition training.