4. 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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5. 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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6. FIELDS THAT INTERACT WITH
ERGONOMICS
Anthropometry
Psychology
Operations
Research
Surgery
Physics
Orthopedics
Physiology
Statistics
Engineering
Biomechanics
Industrial Hygiene
Industrial Medicine
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7. JOB RISK FACTORS
Working in awkward
postures / positions
Prolonged sitting and
standing
Bending, reaching,
stretching
Driving for extended
periods of time
Heavy lifting
Illumination
Awkward lifting
Lifting in combination with
twisting
Pushing, pulling, carrying
Accidents, slips, trips, falls
Vibration & Noise
Repetition
Contact Stress
Thermal Condition
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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. 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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13. Musculoskeletal Disorders:
Signs and Symptoms
Decreased ROM
Decreased grip
and/or pinch
strength
Swelling
Fatigue
Loss of function
Numbness
Burning sensation
Tingling
Pain
Cramping
Stiffness
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14. Leading Causes of Back
Problems
• Poor Body Mechanics
• Stressful Living & Working
• Loss of Flexibility
• Loss of Strength
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21. Arranging Your Workspace
Arrange tools around your desk so
you minimize the distance you have
to reach for them. Divide your work
space into three zones:
Primary work zone - the
distance from elbow to
hand. Things you touch on
a daily basis.
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
22. 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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24. 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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25. 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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26. 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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27. 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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29. 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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30. 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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31. 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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32. 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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33. 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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34. 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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35. 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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36. Practice Wellness at Work and
Home !
Exercise(Body)
Nutrition(Mind)
Relaxation(Spirit)
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