Work simplification (1)

©2005 Neil Squire Society Updated: February 17, 2005
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Work SimplificationWork Simplification
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Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation

Session AgendaSession Agenda
In this presentation we will coverIn this presentation we will cover
the following topics:the following topics:
What is “Work Simplification”?What is “Work Simplification”?
What is “Energy Conservation”?What is “Energy Conservation”?
How can this help me?How can this help me?
Ideas for around the houseIdeas for around the house
Workspace ConsiderationsWorkspace Considerations
What is “Work Simplification”?What is “Work Simplification”?
What is “Energy Conservation”?What is “Energy Conservation”?
How can this help me?How can this help me?
Ideas for around the houseIdeas for around the house

Work SimplificationWork SimplificationWork SimplificationWork Simplification

In the workplace:In the workplace:
 A system to analyze work andA system to analyze work and
reduce unnecessary or duplicatereduce unnecessary or duplicate
activitiesactivities
 Developed in 1921 by Frank andDeveloped in 1921 by Frank and
Lillian GilbrethLillian Gilbreth

 Every task of a job is representedEvery task of a job is represented
by a symbol and presented in aby a symbol and presented in a
flow chartflow chart

 The chart is analyzed for duplicationThe chart is analyzed for duplication
of work and unnecessary tasksof work and unnecessary tasks

 A better method is developed to getA better method is developed to get
the job donethe job done

Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of work
Divide the task into smaller, moreDivide the task into smaller, more
manageable componentsmanageable components
Find better ways of doing a taskFind better ways of doing a task
Find easier ways of doing a taskFind easier ways of doing a task
Goals:Goals:

Energy ConservationEnergy ConservationEnergy ConservationEnergy Conservation

 Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits

 Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits
Be realistic about what you canBe realistic about what you can
accomplishaccomplish
Don’t abuse your good daysDon’t abuse your good days
Take frequent rest breaksTake frequent rest breaks
Be realistic about what you canBe realistic about what you can
accomplishaccomplish
Don’t abuse your good daysDon’t abuse your good days
Take frequent rest breaksTake frequent rest breaks

 Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress

 Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress
Prioritize your “To Do” listPrioritize your “To Do” list
““Let go” of unnecessary workLet go” of unnecessary work
Eat healthily and exerciseEat healthily and exercise
Don’t over-stretch or strainDon’t over-stretch or strain
Take breaksTake breaks
Prioritize your “To Do” listPrioritize your “To Do” list
““Let go” of unnecessary workLet go” of unnecessary work
Eat healthily and exerciseEat healthily and exercise
Don’t over-stretch or strainDon’t over-stretch or strain
Take breaksTake breaks

 Work efficientlyWork efficiently

 Work efficientlyWork efficiently
Use ergonomic principles in allUse ergonomic principles in all
your activities, not justyour activities, not just
computer workcomputer work
Have all required materialsHave all required materials
within easy reachwithin easy reach
Think safetyThink safety
Use ergonomic principles in allUse ergonomic principles in all
your activities, not justyour activities, not just
computer workcomputer work
Have all required materialsHave all required materials
within easy reachwithin easy reach
Think safetyThink safety

 Pace yourselfPace yourself

 Pace yourselfPace yourself
Know what speed is best for youKnow what speed is best for you
Use pulse rate and shortness ofUse pulse rate and shortness of
breath as guidelinesbreath as guidelines
Plan your day to match yourPlan your day to match your
energy levelsenergy levels
Know what speed is best for youKnow what speed is best for you
Use pulse rate and shortness ofUse pulse rate and shortness of
breath as guidelinesbreath as guidelines
Plan your day to match yourPlan your day to match your
energy levelsenergy levels

 BreatheBreathe

 BreatheBreathe
Breathe deeplyBreathe deeply
Focus on your body rhythm as aFocus on your body rhythm as a
means of relaxation and restmeans of relaxation and rest
Use pursed-lip breathing as aUse pursed-lip breathing as a
means of controlling shortnessmeans of controlling shortness
of breathof breath
Breathe deeplyBreathe deeply
Focus on your body rhythm as aFocus on your body rhythm as a
means of relaxation and restmeans of relaxation and rest
Use pursed-lip breathing as aUse pursed-lip breathing as a
means of controlling shortnessmeans of controlling shortness
of breathof breath

 Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits
 Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress
 Work efficientlyWork efficiently
 Pace yourselfPace yourself
 BreatheBreathe

CombineCombine
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Work SimplificationWork Simplification &&
 Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of work andand
recognize your energy limitsrecognize your energy limits

 Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of work andand
recognize your energy limitsrecognize your energy limits
Eliminate unnecessary tasksEliminate unnecessary tasks
Combine or eliminate steps of a taskCombine or eliminate steps of a task
Delegate tasksDelegate tasks
Use professional services for someUse professional services for some
taskstasks
Eliminate unnecessary tasksEliminate unnecessary tasks
Combine or eliminate steps of a taskCombine or eliminate steps of a task
Delegate tasksDelegate tasks
Use professional services for someUse professional services for some
taskstasks

 Find better ways of doing a taskFind better ways of doing a task
andand work efficientlywork efficiently

 Find better ways of doing a taskFind better ways of doing a task
andand work efficientlywork efficiently
Organize your work areasOrganize your work areas
Store frequently used items withinStore frequently used items within
easy reach of the work areaeasy reach of the work area
Gather all items needed beforeGather all items needed before
beginning a taskbeginning a task
Think ergonomicsThink ergonomics
Organize your work areasOrganize your work areas
Store frequently used items withinStore frequently used items within
easy reach of the work areaeasy reach of the work area
Gather all items needed beforeGather all items needed before
beginning a taskbeginning a task
Think ergonomicsThink ergonomics

 Break a job into smaller tasksBreak a job into smaller tasks andand
pace yourselfpace yourself
… continued

Work at a steady, moderate paceWork at a steady, moderate pace
Plan frequent, short rest breaksPlan frequent, short rest breaks
rather than one long breakrather than one long break
Alternate active and quiet tasksAlternate active and quiet tasks
RestRest beforebefore becoming fatiguedbecoming fatigued
Work at a steady, moderate paceWork at a steady, moderate pace
Plan frequent, short rest breaksPlan frequent, short rest breaks
rather than one long breakrather than one long break
Alternate active and quiet tasksAlternate active and quiet tasks
RestRest beforebefore becoming fatiguedbecoming fatigued
… continued

Arrange tasks so that the moreArrange tasks so that the more
physical work is done when yourphysical work is done when your
energy level is highestenergy level is highest
Distribute heavy tasks overDistribute heavy tasks over
several daysseveral days
Alternate light and heavy tasksAlternate light and heavy tasks
Arrange tasks so that the moreArrange tasks so that the more
physical work is done when yourphysical work is done when your
energy level is highestenergy level is highest
Distribute heavy tasks overDistribute heavy tasks over
several daysseveral days
Alternate light and heavy tasksAlternate light and heavy tasks

 Find easier ways of doing a taskFind easier ways of doing a task
andand decrease your physical stressdecrease your physical stress

Sit to perform tasksSit to perform tasks
Keep your back straightKeep your back straight
Slide or push objects instead of liftingSlide or push objects instead of lifting
Use a cart or basket to carry itemsUse a cart or basket to carry items
Avoid over-stretching, twisting,Avoid over-stretching, twisting,
stooping, or strainingstooping, or straining
Sit to perform tasksSit to perform tasks
Keep your back straightKeep your back straight
Slide or push objects instead of liftingSlide or push objects instead of lifting
Use a cart or basket to carry itemsUse a cart or basket to carry items
Avoid over-stretching, twisting,Avoid over-stretching, twisting,
stooping, or strainingstooping, or straining

Use proper work heightsUse proper work heights
Use the tool that fits the jobUse the tool that fits the job
Use lightweight toolsUse lightweight tools
Use power tools wherever possibleUse power tools wherever possible
Use proper work heightsUse proper work heights
Use the tool that fits the jobUse the tool that fits the job
Use lightweight toolsUse lightweight tools
Use power tools wherever possibleUse power tools wherever possible

How can thisHow can this
help me?help me?
How can thisHow can this
help me?help me?

Case StudyCase Study
Anna:Anna:
 Hired as a part-timeHired as a part-time
accountantaccountant
 Needs attendant care inNeeds attendant care in
morning and at nightmorning and at night
 Active social lifeActive social life
 Limited energyLimited energy
(max. 8 hours per day)(max. 8 hours per day)

Anna:Anna: Recognize her energy limitsRecognize her energy limits
 20 hours work per20 hours work per
week - maximumweek - maximum
 Some of her work canSome of her work can
be done from homebe done from home
 Schedule that matchesSchedule that matches
her energy levelsher energy levels
 Consider personal care and transitConsider personal care and transit
time when setting scheduletime when setting schedule

Anna:Anna: Reduce the amount of work at homeReduce the amount of work at home
 Delegate householdDelegate household
choreschores
 Change or increaseChange or increase
attendant hoursattendant hours
 ““Let go” of unnecessaryLet go” of unnecessary
taskstasks

Anna:Anna: Work efficientlyWork efficiently
 Setup a home officeSetup a home office
 Work materials shouldWork materials should
be within easy reachbe within easy reach
 Analyze the job tasks toAnalyze the job tasks to
find new simpler waysfind new simpler ways
to do the workto do the work
 Discuss job sharing and re-distributionDiscuss job sharing and re-distribution
of tasksof tasks

Anna:Anna: Break job into smaller tasksBreak job into smaller tasks
 Decide which parts ofDecide which parts of
the job can be donethe job can be done
at homeat home
 Set priorities for today’sSet priorities for today’s
workwork
 Spread houseworkSpread housework
throughout the weekthroughout the week

Anna:Anna: Pace HerselfPace Herself
 Schedule the detailedSchedule the detailed
work for high energywork for high energy
timestimes
 Schedule the repetitiveSchedule the repetitive
work for low energywork for low energy
timestimes
 Take regular breaksTake regular breaks
 Schedule time for social activitiesSchedule time for social activities

Anna:Anna: Find easier ways to do a taskFind easier ways to do a task
 Research simplerResearch simpler
accounting systemsaccounting systems
 Sort papers before filingSort papers before filing
 Robot vacuum cleanerRobot vacuum cleaner
 Set up automaticSet up automatic
payments for householdpayments for household
billsbills

Anna:Anna: Decrease her physical stressDecrease her physical stress
 Set up your work spaceSet up your work space
at home and at officeat home and at office
ergonomicallyergonomically
 Use AT for computerUse AT for computer
accessaccess
 Move your computer onMove your computer on
top of the desk so youtop of the desk so you
don’t need to stretch to reach itdon’t need to stretch to reach it

Anna:Anna:
 Recognize energy limitsRecognize energy limits
 Reduce her work at homeReduce her work at home
 Work efficientlyWork efficiently
 Break into smaller tasksBreak into smaller tasks
 Pace herselfPace herself
 Look for easier waysLook for easier ways
 Decrease her physical stressDecrease her physical stress

Ideas forIdeas for
Around the HouseAround the House
Ideas forIdeas for
Around the HouseAround the House

KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchen

 SSit on a stool at a table or pull-out cuttingit on a stool at a table or pull-out cutting
board when preparing foodboard when preparing food

 SSlide, don’t lift, heavy pots across alide, don’t lift, heavy pots across a
countercounter

countercounter
 AArrange storage so that frequently usedrrange storage so that frequently used
items are the most accessibleitems are the most accessible

countercounter
 SStack similar items togethertack similar items together

countercounter
 Stack similar items togetherStack similar items together
 UUsese aa tea trolley, or apron with largetea trolley, or apron with large
pockets, to transport itemspockets, to transport items

HousecleaningHousecleaningHousecleaningHousecleaning

 UUse long-handled aids to minimizese long-handled aids to minimize
bendingbending

bendingbending
 PPut furniture on castors so it is easy tout furniture on castors so it is easy to
pushpush

bendingbending
pushpush
 PPut cleaning bucket on wheeledut cleaning bucket on wheeled
platformplatform

bendingbending
pushpush
platformplatform
 FFillill bucketsbuckets with a pitcherwith a pitcher

bendingbending
pushpush
platformplatform
 FFillill bucketsbuckets with a pitcherwith a pitcher
 TTipip bucketsbuckets to emptyto empty

WorkspaceWorkspace
ConsiderationsConsiderations
WorkspaceWorkspace
ConsiderationsConsiderations

Reach EnvelopeReach EnvelopeReach EnvelopeReach Envelope

 TThings you usehings you use
frequently should befrequently should be
within the reachwithin the reach
envelope of yourenvelope of your
forearmsforearms

 TThings you usehings you use
within the reachwithin the reach
envelope of yourenvelope of your
forearmsforearms
 TThings used lesshings used less
within the reach of yourwithin the reach of your
full armfull arm

 OneOne way to expand the reachway to expand the reach
envelope is to use a workstationenvelope is to use a workstation
with a cutoutwith a cutout

StandingStandingStandingStanding

 WhenWhen standing at a workstanding at a work
surface, put one foot on asurface, put one foot on a
footrestfootrest

 WhenWhen standing at a workstanding at a work
surface, put one foot on asurface, put one foot on a
footrestfootrest
 ThisThis helps to maintainhelps to maintain
proper spinal columnproper spinal column
alignmentalignment

Reaching into ContainersReaching into ContainersReaching into ContainersReaching into Containers

 ReachingReaching into containers can causeinto containers can cause
shoulder and arm problemsshoulder and arm problems

 ReachingReaching into containers can causeinto containers can cause
shoulder and arm problemsshoulder and arm problems
 LoweringLowering and tiltingand tilting
the container canthe container can
alleviate many ofalleviate many of
these problemsthese problems

CarryingCarryingCarryingCarrying

 HandholdsHandholds on boxeson boxes
reduce the amount ofreduce the amount of
exertion needed to carryexertion needed to carry

 HandholdsHandholds on boxeson boxes
reduce the amount ofreduce the amount of
exertion needed to carryexertion needed to carry
 CarryCarry the item close tothe item close to
your body to reduceyour body to reduce
postural stressespostural stresses

Uneven SurfacesUneven SurfacesUneven SurfacesUneven Surfaces

 AvoidAvoid repetitive tasks that requirerepetitive tasks that require
moving between uneven surfacesmoving between uneven surfaces

 AvoidAvoid repetitive tasks that requirerepetitive tasks that require
moving between uneven surfacesmoving between uneven surfaces
 RearrangeRearrange the work so that the items arethe work so that the items are
on the same levelon the same level

PositioningPositioningPositioningPositioning

 PositioningPositioning of itemsof items
is crucialis crucial

 InIn first picture thefirst picture the
cylinders are toocylinders are too
high, resulting inhigh, resulting in
hunched shouldershunched shoulders andand winged elbowswinged elbows

 InIn first picture thefirst picture the
cylinders are toocylinders are too
high, resulting inhigh, resulting in
hunched shouldershunched shoulders andand winged elbowswinged elbows
 The sThe second picture shows a neutralecond picture shows a neutral
positionposition

Static LoadStatic LoadStatic LoadStatic Load

 HoldingHolding something in the same positionsomething in the same position
for a long timefor a long time

 PPicture to right shows anicture to right shows an
adaptation to avoid writer’sadaptation to avoid writer’s
crampcramp

 PPicture to right shows anicture to right shows an
adaptation to avoid writer’sadaptation to avoid writer’s
crampcramp
 AAnchoringnchoring aa part, such as with a vice,part, such as with a vice,
eliminates the needeliminates the need
to hold itto hold it

Reduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure Points

 Watch out for places where your bodyWatch out for places where your body
contacts a hard surfacecontacts a hard surface

 Leaning your forearmsLeaning your forearms
against a sharp edgeagainst a sharp edge
produces a pressureproduces a pressure
pointpoint

 Leaning your forearmsLeaning your forearms
against a sharp edgeagainst a sharp edge
produces a pressureproduces a pressure
pointpoint
 KKnees or thighs rubbingnees or thighs rubbing
on the desk surface ison the desk surface is
another common problemanother common problem

ClearanceClearanceClearanceClearance

 Avoid clutter inAvoid clutter in
your workspaceyour workspace

 Avoid clutter inAvoid clutter in
your workspaceyour workspace
 Arrange yourArrange your
materials to providematerials to provide
easy accesseasy access

Adequate LightingAdequate LightingAdequate LightingAdequate Lighting

 Eye fatigue can result from improperEye fatigue can result from improper
lightinglighting

lightinglighting
 Use task lighting toUse task lighting to
reduce squinting andreduce squinting and
other eye strainother eye strain

lightinglighting
 Use task lighting toUse task lighting to
reduce squinting andreduce squinting and
other eye strainother eye strain
 Reduce glare onReduce glare on
computer screenscomputer screens

SummarySummary
Combining Work SimplificationCombining Work Simplification
and Energy Conservationand Energy Conservation
Ideas for around the homeIdeas for around the home
Combining Work SimplificationCombining Work Simplification
and Energy Conservationand Energy Conservation
Ideas for around the homeIdeas for around the home

Wrap UpWrap Up
Thank you for attending.

Work simplification (1)

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