Ergonomics

Ergonomics
Md. Mosaruf Hossan,
Assistant Production Manager.
Md Mosaruf Hossan, Asstt. Production Manager, ACI Ltd.

Definition
Ergonomics is an applied science
concerned with the design of
workplaces, tools, and tasks that
match the physiological,
anatomical, and psychological
characteristics and capabilities of
the worker.”
Vern Putz-Anderson

Goal
The Goal of ergonomics is
to ‘fit the job to the person,’
rather than making the
person fit the job.”

Purposes
The Purposes of a comprehensive workplace
ergonomics strategy include:
-Improve individual and organizational productivity
-Reduce errors and improve quality
-Reduce systematic waste
-Reduce injuries
-Reduce absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover
-Improve human and organizational performance,
sustainability and well-being.
An effective ergonomics process produces
significant returns on investment across multiple
business functions and metrics.
Main Purposes of
Ergonomics are :

History of
Ergonomics
The foundations of the science of
ergonomics appear to have been laid within
the context of the culture of Ancient Greece.
One day Hippocrates gives of how a
surgeon’s workplace should be designed and
how the tools he uses should be arranged.It
is also true that archaelogical records of the
early Egyptians Dynasties made tools,house
hold equipment among others that illustrated
ergonomic principles.

APPLICATIONS of
ERGONOMICS

Types of
Ergonomics
The International
Ergonomics
Association divides
Ergonomics into
three domains:

Why Ergonomics
is Important in
Industry ???
Industries Increaingly Require
higher Production Rates and
advances in Technology to
remain competitive in
Business.As a result , Job today
can involve :
A. Frequent Lifting,Carrying and Pushing or Pulling Loads
without help from Other worker or devices:
B. Increasing Specialization that requires the worker to
perform only one function or movement for a long
period of time or day after day :
C. Working more than 8 hours a day:
D. Working at a quicker pace of work, such as faster
assembly line speeds : and
E. Having tighter grips when using tools.
These factors-especially if coupled with poor machine design,
tool and workplace design or the use of improper tools-create
physical stress on worker’s bodies, which can lead to injury
specially MSDs ( Musculo Skeletal Disorders )

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
MSDs ( Musculo Skeletal Disorders ) :
This is actually are injuries and disorders of the soft
tissues ( Muscles , Tendons , Ligaments , Joints and
Cartilage ) and Nervous system.
They can affect nearly all tissues, including the nrves
and tendon sheaths and most frequently involve the
arms and back.
Occupational safety and health professionals have
caled these disorders a variety of names including :
A. Cumulative Trauma Disorders
B. Repeated Trauma
C. Repetitive Stress Injury
D. Occupational Overexertion
Syndrome.
These disorders generally develop
gradually over weeks, Months and
years.
A dramatic Increase in MSDs began
in the 1970s when these disorders
increasingly appeared on companys
injury and illness logs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, an
agency of the US Department of
labor, recognises MSDs as a serious
workplace health hazards. injury

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
MSDs can affect nearly all tissues in the
human body: the nerves, tendons, tendon
sheaths, and muscles. The most frequently
affected areas of the body are the arms and
the back.
Area affected by MSDs
and Symtoms.
One could have a work-related MSD if you
experience any of the following:
•Numbness in your fingers,
•Numbness in your thighs,
•Difficulty moving your finger,
•Stiff joints, or
•Back pain.

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
Numbness
Numbness is usually caused
by damage, irritation or
compression of one of the
nerves or a branch of one
of the nerves in your arm
and wrist

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
Stiff Joints
Joint stiffness is the sensation of
difficulty moving a joint or the
apparent loss of range of motion of
a joint. Joint stiffness often
accompanies joint pain and/or
swelling.

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most
common work-related injuries and is
often caused by ordinary work
activities such as sitting in an office
chair or heavy lifting. ... This may
occur from sitting in an office chair
or standing for too long in one
position.

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
Info-Graphics

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
What causes work-related MSDs?
Work-related MSDs occur when the physical
capabilities of the worker do not match the
physical requirements of the job. Prolonged
exposure to ergonomic risk factors can cause
damage a worker’s body and lead to MSDs.
WMSD
Risk
Factors:
• Force • Repetation
• Awkward postures • Static postures
• Quick motions • Compression or contact stress
• Vibration • Cold temperatures

Musculoskeletal
Disorders
• Physical conditioning;
•Medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes,
and arthritis;
•Pregnancy;
•Hobbies that are hand intensive or require
manual handling. In these instances, however,
because one can control the duration
and exposures, hobbies usually are not primary
risk factors; and
•Psychological or social workplace stress.
NWMSD Risk
Factors:
Risk factors not related to your job can
cause or contribute to MSDs.
These factors include:

Benefits of
Ergonomics
Info-Graphics

Principles of
Ergonomics
10 Principles
Putting on Your
Ergonomics Glasses
The basics of
ergonomics do not need
to be hard. Much of it
amounts to looking at
routine activities from a
new perspective —
putting on your
ergonomics glasses.

Principles of
Ergonomics
Principle-1:
Work in Neutral Postures
A. Maintain the "S-curve" of the
spine
Our posture provides a good
starting point for evaluating the
tasks that you do. The best
positions in which to work are
those that keep the body "in
neutral."
Our
spinal
column is
shaped
more or
less like
an "S."

Principles of
Ergonomics
It is important to maintain
the natural S-curve of the
back, whether sitting or
standing. The most
important part of this "S" is
in the lower back, which
means that it is good to keep
a slight "sway back,"
When standing, putting one
foot up on a footrest helps
to keep the spinal column in
proper alignment..
Principle-1:
spine

Principles of
Ergonomics
Working for long
periods with your
back in a “C-
curve” can place
strain on your
back.
Good lumbar
support is often
helpful to maintain
the proper curve
in the small of
your back.
Principle-1:
spine

Principles of
Ergonomics
The “Inverted V-curve”
creates an even greater
strain on your back. Even
without lifting a load,
bending over like this
creates a great deal of
pressure on the spine.
One common improvement
is to use a lifter or tilter. Or
there may be other ways of
making improvements
depending upon the
situation
Principle-1:
spine

Principles of
Ergonomics
The neck bones are part of
the spinal column and thus
are subject to the same
requirements of maintaining
the S-curve. Prolonged
twisted and bent postures of
the neck can be as stressful
as its equivalent for the lower
back.
The best way to make
changes is usually to adjust
equipment so that your neck
is in its neutral posture.
Principle-1:
B. Keep the neck aligned

Principles of
Ergonomics The neutral
posture for your
arms is to keep
you elbows at your
sides and your
shoulders
relaxed. This is
pretty obvious
once you think
about it, but we
don’t always do it.
Principle-1:
C. Keeps elbows at sides

Principles of
Ergonomics
Here’s an example of
changing a workstation to
get the arms in neutral. In
the illustration at the left,
the product is too high, and
the employee is hunching
her shoulders and winging
out her elbows.
In the right-hand
illustration, the product has
been reoriented and the
shoulders and elbows drop
to their relaxed position.
Principle-1:
C. Keeps elbows at sides

Principles of
Ergonomics
There are several
good ways to think
about wrist posture.
One way is to keep
the hand in the same
plane as the forearm,
as this person is
doing here by using a
wrist rest along with
the computer mouse.
Principle-1:
D. Keep Wrists in Neutral

Principles of
Ergonomics
A slightly more
accurate approach
is to keep your
hands more or
less like they
would be when
you hold the
steering wheel of
your car at the 10
and 2 o’clock
position —
slightly in and
slightly forward.
Principle-1:

Principles of
Ergonomics
Here’s an example of
how this principle
applies to tool design.
Working continuously
with the pliers as
shown in the left-
hand picture can
create a lot of stress
on the wrist. By using
pliers with an angled
grip, however, the
wrist stays in its
neutral posture.
Principle-1:

Principles of
Ergonomics
Excessive force on your joints can create a
potential for fatigue and injury. In practical terms,
the action item is for you to identify specific
instances of excessive force and think of ways to
make improvements.
Principle-2:
Reduce Excessive Force

Principles of
Ergonomics
For example, pulling a
heavy cart might create
excessive force for your
back. To make
improvements it might
help to make sure the
floor is in good repair,
that the wheels on the
cart are sufficiently
large, and that there are
good grips on the cart.
Or a power tugger
might be needed.
Principle-2:

Principles of
Ergonomics
Or another
example of
reducing force is
to use a hoist for
lifting heavy
objects, like this
vacuum hoist in
the drawing..
Principle-2:

Principles of
Ergonomics
Another kind of
example is having
handholds on
boxes or carrying
totes. Having the
handhold reduces
the exertion your
hands need to
carry the same
amount of weight.
Principle-2:

Principles of
Ergonomics
This principle deals with keeping things within
easy reach. In many ways, this principle is
redundant with posture, but it helps to evaluate a
task from this specific perspective.
Principle-3:
Keep Everything in
Easy Reach

Principles of
Ergonomics
One concept is to think about the "reach
envelope." This is the semi-circle that your
arms make as you reach out. Things that
you use frequently should ideally be within
the reach The next principle deals with
keeping things within easy reach. In many
ways, this principle is redundant with
posture, but it helps to evaluate a task from
this specific perspective.
envelope of your full arm. Things that you
use extremely frequently should be within
the reach envelope of your forearms
Principle-3:
Reach Envelope

Principles of
Ergonomics
Much of the time, problems with reach are simply matters
of rearranging your work area and moving things closer to
you. This is not exactly a hard concept to grasp; what is
difficult is having the presence of mind to notice and
change the location of things that you reach for a lot.
Often it is a matter of habit — you are unaware that you
continually reach for something that could be easily moved
closer
Principle-3:
Reach Envelope

Principles of
Ergonomics
Or sometimes, the work surface is just too big,
causing you to reach across to get something.
One option is just to get a smaller surface.
Another option is to make a cutout — this way
your reaches are cut, but you still have plenty of
space for things.
Principle-3:
Reach Envelope

Principles of
Ergonomics
Or another common problem is reaching into
boxes. A good way to fix this is to tilt the box.
Once again, there are thousands of other
examples of ways to reduce long reaches. The
point is for you to think about when you make
long reaches, then figure out how to reduce that
reach.
Principle-3:
Reach Envelope

Principles of
Ergonomics
Working at the right height is also a way to make things easier
Principle-4:
Work at Proper Heights
Do most work at elbow height

Principles of
Ergonomics
There are exceptions to this rule, however.
Heavier work is often best done lower than
elbow height. Precision work or visually
intense work is often best done at heights
above the elbow.
Principle-4:
Work at Proper Heights

Principles of
Ergonomics
The next principle to think about is the number
of motions you make throughout a day, whether
with your fingers, your wrists, your arms, or your
back.
Principle-5:
Reduce Excessive
Motions
One of the simplest ways to reduce manual
repetitions is to use power tools whenever
possible.

Principles of
Ergonomics
Holding the same position for a period of time is
known as static load. It creates fatigue and
discomfort and can interfere with work
Principle-6:
Minimize Fatigue
and Static Load
A good example of static
load that everyone has
experienced is writer’s
cramp. You do not need to
hold onto a pencil very
hard, just for long periods.
Your muscles tire after a
time and begin to hurt.

Principles of
Ergonomics
Principle-6:
Minimize Fatigue
and Static Load

Principles of
Ergonomics
Another thing to
watch out for is
excessive pressure
points, sometimes
called "contact
stress."
Principle-7:
Minimize Pressure
Points
A good example of this is squeezing
hard onto a tool, like a pair of pliers.
Adding a cushioned grip and
contouring the handles to fit your hand
makes this problem better
Leaning your
forearms against
the hard edge of
a work table
creates a pressure
point. Rounding
out the edge and
padding it usually
helps.

Principles of
Ergonomics
Work areas need to be set up so that you have sufficient room
for your head, your knees, and your feet. You obviously don’t
want to have to bump into things all the time, or have to work
in contorted postures, or reach because there is no space for
your knees or feet.
Being able to see is another version of this principle.
Equipment should be built and tasks should be set up so that
nothing blocks your view.
Principle-8:
Provide Clearance

Principles of
Ergonomics
Depending upon the type of
work you do, different exercises
on the job can be helpful.
If you have a physically
demanding job, you may find it
helpful to stretch and warm up
before any strenuous activity.
If you have a sedentary job, you
may want to take a quick "energy
break" every so often to do a few
stretches.
Principle-9:
Move, Exercise, and
Stretch
To be healthy the human body needs to be
exercised and stretched.

Principles of
Ergonomics
If you sit for long periods, you need to shift postures:
Adjust the seat up and down throughout the day.
Move, stretch, and change positions often.
Principle-9:
Move, Exercise, and Stretch
To be healthy the human body needs to be exercised and stretched

Principles of
Ergonomics
Lighting and Glare
One common problem is lighting.
In the computerized office, lighting has become a big issue, because the
highly polished computer screen reflects every stray bit of light around.
But many other types of tasks can be affected by poor lighting, too.
Concerns include glare, working in your own shadow, and just plain
insufficient light.
One good way to solve lighting problems is by using task lighting; that is,
having a small light right at your work that you can orient and adjust to fit
your needs.Principle-10:
Maintain a Comfortable
Environment
This principle is more or less a catch-all that can mean different
things depending upon the nature of the types of operations that
you do.

Working posture Poor working posture is a common ergonomic
hazard in pharmaceuticals industry workplaces. It
can cause fatigue, discomfort and injury risk,
particularly at fixed workstations such as safety
cabinets, inspection or packing workstations.
Examples of poor working posture include:
Stooping
Reaching / outstretched arms
Twisting
Fixed / static postures in situations where the
individual has little or no opportunity to
influence or vary their posture
This refers to the posture
that an individual is
required to adopt due to
the layout of a workstation
and/or the nature of the
task.
Working Posture :
1. Poor Working Posture
2. Good Working Posture

Working posture
Stooping
Bent back, head bowed down.
In these examples this is caused by
the work surface being too low for
the individual and the task being
performed.

Working posture
Stooping
Head bowed down & neck flexed
These tasks require the individual to keep
their head in this posture for long periods.
The fixed and low position of the work
items dictates their head/neck posture.

Working posture
Reaching
Outstretched arms
In these examples, as well as the obvious
stooping the arms need to be held
outstretched to undertake the task.

Working posture
Reaching
Lack of legroom
This forces the individuals to sit away from the
bench and reach forward. The safety screens and
tall measuring flasks result in outstretched and
elevated arms whilst undertaking this precise
operation. Notice also the twisted backs.

Working posture
Twisting
Note that the hips
and shoulders are
out of line with
each other and the
spine is rotated.
The work surface is too low for this individual to comfortably
stand at this workstation. However the lack of legroom under
the fume cupboard means that he sits with a twisted back when
facing his work.

Working posture
Fixed/static
postures
Little opportunity to influence or vary working posture
These awkward working positions are dictated by
the layout of the equipment and the requirements
of the task. In each case high levels of
concentration are required, however the individuals
have very little control over their working position
and are largely fixed in this posture for the duration
of the task.

Working posture
Good Working
Posture

Working posture
Good
Working
Posture

Case Study
Manual
De-blistering
(Packaging /
Manufacturing)
The problem :
Deblistering is required to recover tablets from faulty
blister packs
This initially involves
tearing cartons and
literature, involving
awkward wrist
postures and
undesirable force.

Case Study
Manual
De-blistering
(Packaging /
Manufacturing)
The problem :
Manual de-blistering required operators to use
forceful pinch grips, with the greatest force being
exerted through the thumbs. Discomfort and other
upper limb symptoms were commonplace after a
shift involving deblistering.
The de-blistering task can be a long process,
sometimes lasting an entire shift. Furthermore, it
was reported that some operators find the task very
monotonous and become fatigued and under-
stimulated within this area.

Case Study
Manual
De-blistering
(Packaging /
Manufacturing)
The Solution:
Long term solution:
When deblistering is required an automatic de-
blistering machine should be used which uses
pneumatic punches to remove the tablets. This would
eliminate the necessity for repetitive thumb
movements and awkward seated postures.
Short term solutions included:
Implementation of several sized manual punching
aids that can be used on a variety of tablet sizes.
Using the manual aid reduces the force required
during de-blistering.

Information's
Infographics

Working Posture
Good or Bad

Present Work Station
Practice in Developed
Country
Treadmil Desks

Country
Pomodoro Cycle :
The Pomodoro Technique is a time
management method developed by
Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The
technique uses a timer to break down
work into intervals traditionally 25
minutes in length, separated by short
breaks.

Country
Pomodoro
Cycle

Any Question ?

Thank You

Ergonomics

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