Ergonomics is the study of human-machine relationships and focuses on improving productivity and reducing risks of injury by designing tasks, equipment, and workspaces to fit human capabilities. It aims to reduce physical strain, improve safety and quality of work, and develop comfortable working conditions. Key principles include using natural postures without excessive bending or repetition, keeping frequently used items at an optimal height, allowing breaks to avoid fatigue, and designing workspaces and furniture to prevent injuries from sharp edges or awkward movements. Proper ergonomic design can decrease difficulties, minimize musculoskeletal problems, and help workers stay safe, comfortable and productive.

1. Ergonomics
Dr. Deepa Swamy
Associate Professor
Govt Arts Girls College, Kota

2. Man ,Machine
relationship with its
environment is
called as
Ergonomics.

5. Actually the term work, worker and
workplace are inter related to each
other and when combination and co-
ordination is good among them it
provides perfect result.

7. Ergonomics helps in:
Reduction of physical work.
Increase safety.
Improves the quality of work.
Developing most comfortable position related to climate
,lighting, ventilation and noise level.
Improving work posture and reducing effort of certain
movements.
Improving methods for handling machine easily.
It improves the productivity of work in less time period.

8. Points to be kept in mind
Always use natural posture.
Use forward head posture to complete task.
Angel more than 45degree of shoulder should be avoided.
Do not place anything above shoulder height.
Avoid same posture for long time period.
Worksurface should be 3”below the elbow height.
Wrist should be in straight position.
Repetition of work should be avoided.

9. Ergonomics
Knowing the mechanism of the machine which is used in
day to day life by worker can decrease level of difficulty.
Heavy items which are used frequently should be kept at
middle level of anthropometric measure of body.
It was provide right body posture which is directly
proposnate to be less Musculoskeletal problem.
In case of the furniture arrangement at home pathway
should always be clear. There should not be single handle
on the way of work.

10. Heavy furniture which does not require any
movement should always be placed where
chance of injury of worker is less and proper
amount of light and air movement can be
seen.
There should be no sharp edge at the any
side of furniture which can harm the worker.
All the joints of body should be natural
position.

11. Movements of body and alternative posture
should allowed by the work to reduce
fatigue.
Adjustment of different body posture with
work & environment should be limited by the
worker.
Between the worker there should be short
breaks instead of having single long break
by the worker.

12. Heavy furniture which does not require any movement
should always be placed where chance of injury of worker is
less and proper amount of light and air movement can be
seen.
Safety measures are also basic need of ergonomics. So
there should be no sharp edge at the any side of furniture
which can harm the worker.
Beautification with durability and conformability of furniture
should be kept in mind before purchasing it. It is directly
related with efficiency and good health of worker.

13. Postural discomfort is the body pain
assessed as the result of the working
posture or the excessive stress on the
muscle due to effort involved in the activity.
Ergonomics tries to come up with solution
to make sure that the workers stay safe,
comfortable and productive

14. Ergonomics in Kitchen
The most height of the kitchen top is 3”below
the elbow height.
Materials not used frequently should be kept at
maximum height.
Materials used frequently should be kept at
optimum reach

15. The optimum depth of a toe kick is 3”.
If worker is righthanded than keep
things at the right side of the platform.
Work triangle should be less.
Heavy article should be kept at
optimum reach to avoid injury.

16. Alternate heavy task with light task.
Give recovery time . Take short
breaks.
Modify work practices to reduce work
load.
Rotate work though out job by using
different body muscle, body parts and
posture. It will reduce work pressure
and fatigue.