This document defines ergonomics and discusses its objectives and importance in workstation design. Ergonomics is defined as the scientific study of designing jobs to fit workers rather than forcing workers to fit jobs. The objectives of ergonomics include improving relationships between people, equipment, workplaces and environments to increase efficiency, productivity, safety and comfort while reducing physical workload risks. Ergonomics is important for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries by considering factors like posture, lifting techniques and equipment arrangement. The document provides examples of ergonomic principles for lighting, chair and workstation design.

1. ERGONOMICS
(ASPECTS IN WORKSTATION
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS)
Chandrakanth.C
S1 M.Tech
Roll No:01
mail me @ geothomasseril@gmail.com
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2. Contents
 Definition
 Objectives
 Fields interact with ergonomics
 Importance
 Ergonomic approaches
 Advantages & Disadvantages
 Applications
 Conclusion
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3. ERGONOMICS
DERIVED FROM GREEK WORDS
ERGO + NOMOS = ERGONOMICS
“work” + “laws” = “ laws of work ”

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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15. ERGNONIMICS APPROCHES
• Body Mechanics
• Proper Lifting Techniques
• Exercise
• Stretching
• Improved postures
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16. PROPER WEIGHT LIFTING
TECHNIQUE
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17. Posture check
Increased stress, decreased
circulation
 High risk  Low risk
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18. Posture check
Do you use a headset rather than cradling the
telephone between your head and shoulder?
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19. ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT
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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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23. ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED
CHAIR
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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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37. THANK YOU….
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