ERGONOMICS

(ASPECTS IN WORKSTATION
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS)
Chandrakanth.C
S1 M.Tech
Roll No:01

mail me @ geothomasseril@gmail.com

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Contents
Definition
Objectives
Fields interact with ergonomics
Importance
Ergonomic approaches
Advantages & Disadvantages
Applications
Conclusion

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 ERGONOMICS

DERIVED FROM GREEK WORDS

ERGO + NOMOS = ERGONOMICS

“work” + “laws” = “ laws of work ”
 ERGONOMICS - DEFINITION

SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF HUMAN WORK

"DESIGNING THE JOB TO FIT THE WORKER , NOT

FORCING THE WORKER TO FIT THE JOB“

SCIENCE THAT DEALS WITH DESIGNING AND

ARRANGING THINGS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN USE
THEM EASILY AND SAFELY

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 ERGONOMICS - OBJECTIVES

To improve the relationship b/w people , equipment ,

workplace, and the environment.

Increase work efficiency and productivity.

Promote safety and comfort at work station.

To reduce physical work loads.

To minimize the risk of injury , illness , accidents and
errors without compromising productivity.

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 FIELDS THAT INTERACT WITH
ERGONOMICS

Anthropometry Physiology
Psychology Statistics
Operations
Engineering
Research
Biomechanics
Surgery
Industrial Hygiene
Physics
Industrial Medicine
Orthopedics

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 JOB RISK FACTORS

Working in awkward Awkward lifting

postures / positions Lifting in combination with
Prolonged sitting and twisting
standing
Pushing, pulling, carrying
Bending, reaching, Accidents, slips, trips, falls
stretching
Vibration & Noise
Driving for extended
Repetition
periods of time
Contact Stress
Heavy lifting
Thermal Condition
Illumination

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ERGONOMICS - IMPORTANCE

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

(WMSD) are fastest-growing injury
category

1997 study of 420 medical secretaries

◦ 63 % reported neck/shoulder pain

◦ 51% low back pain

◦ 30 % hand/wrist pain
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Musculo Skeletal Disorders(MSD)

MSD’s are injuries caused by sustained exposure to

stresses or repetitive motion.
They may affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones,
circulation, or nerves.

Some well-known MSD’s are:

1. Carpel tunnel syndrome

2. Tennis elbow
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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
One of the best known MSDs

The median nerve does not

work properly due to
pressure on the nerve as it
runs through an opening
called the carpel tunnel

Pain & tingling, can go up

the arm to the shoulder and
neck, causing waking to
pain in middle of night

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TENNIS ELBOW
Overuse or misuse of the forearm muscles
can cause tendonitis, or a painful
inflammation of the tendons connecting these
muscles to borns.

This may be when working,

or during certain leisure
activities, such as sports and
gardening.

Symptom are severe pain.

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Body Parts Prone To Workplace
MSDs
Back - Lower

Neck and Upper Back

Upper Extremities - Arms and Hands

Lower Extremities - Legs and Feet

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Musculoskeletal Disorders:
Signs and Symptoms
Decreased ROM Numbness

Decreased grip Burning sensation

and/or pinch
strength Tingling

Swelling Pain

Fatigue Cramping

Loss of function Stiffness

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Leading Causes of Back
Problems

• Poor Body Mechanics

• Stressful Living & Working

• Loss of Flexibility

• Loss of Strength

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ERGNONIMICS APPROCHES

• Body Mechanics

• Proper Lifting Techniques

• Exercise

• Stretching

• Improved postures

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PROPER WEIGHT LIFTING
TECHNIQUE

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 Posture check
Increased stress, decreased
circulation

High risk Low risk

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 Posture check
Do you use a headset rather than cradling the
telephone between your head and shoulder?

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ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT

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 Arranging Your Workspace
Primary work zone - the
Arrange tools around your desk so distance from elbow to
you minimize the distance you have hand. Things you touch on
to reach for them. Divide your work
a daily basis.
space into three zones:

Secondary work zone -

within arm's reach. Use this
zone to position those
items that you use
frequently, but don't need
all the time.

Reference zone - outside

arm's reach. Use this zone
for your least-often used
items. 21
To be ergonomic , a design
must

• Fit the user

• Be easy to use

• Improve comfort

• Improve performance

• Improve health and safety

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 ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED
CHAIR

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Materials storage and
handling
Clear and mark transport routes
Provide ramps of 5-8% inclination instead of small
stairs

Use mechanical devices for lifting, lowering and

moving heavy material
Instead of carrying heavy weights divide them into
smaller lightweights e.g. 2x10 kg instead of 20 kg.

Combine heavy lifting with physically lighter tasks

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 Hand Tools
Use hanging tools for operations repeated in
the same place

Provide hand support when using precision

tools

Provide hand tools with a grip of the proper

thickness (hand diameter 30-40 mm, handle
length 125 mm and size to fit male hands)

Provide a home for each tool (Enables good

housekeeping)
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Production machine safety
Locate controls in sequence of operations

Make displays and signals easy to distinguish

and easy to read

Use properly fixed guards and interlock devices

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 Lighting
Increased use of daylight

Light up the work area evenly

Sufficient lighting for working

Local lighting for precision work

Removing shiny surfaces

Avoid glare

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 Advantages of
Ergonomics
• Reduction of work-related injuries , higher safety
• Higher productivity
• Increased work quality
• Reduced absenteeism , fatigue
• Better design of machines

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 Disadvantages
It costs money to develop and design it.

Usually take more time and resources than other

methods
Very high effort in planning, recruiting, and executing
than other methods

Much longer study periods and therefore requires

much goodwill among the participants

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 Applications
Assist in design & operation of man , m/c

,environmental study.

Help to know about the human activities, capability

and limitations.

Helps to ensure physical and mental use of human

beings.

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Difficulties in achieving the
aims of ergonomics
 Human operator is flexible and adaptable

 Large individual differences

Obvious differences: --> Physical size, strength

Not obvious differences --> Culture, style,

level of skill

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Work Smarter – Not Harder

 Notice and report symptoms EARLY

 Stretch

 Take adequate and frequent breathers

 Do a different task or do the

task differently

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Conclusion..
As we discussed above ergonomics
"DESIGNING THE JOB TO FIT THE WORKER ,
NOT FORCING THE WORKER TO FIT THE
JOB“
So it will reduces the fatigue and improve the work
conditions for the workers.

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 Help Yourself
Micro-Breaks
◦ Every 20-40 minutes

Exercises
◦ Body stretch
◦ Raise forearms
◦ Shoulder blade squeeze/shrugs
◦ Eye palming
◦ Arm and shoulder shake
◦ Arm extensions
◦ Side bends
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Practice Wellness at Work and
Home !
Exercise(Body)
Relaxation(Spirit)

Nutrition(Mind)

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THANK YOU….

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