ergonomics give you the basic working practices by which any person can work efficiently with increased productivity. it also renders your body parts, muscles, tendons, nerves, bones etc a safer and healthier environment so you can not be injured, broken or stressed by working conditions.

1. Ergonomics
Moiz Ullah Baig MM-036
Saad Arif MM-026
M Daniyal Ahmed MM-033
Department of Materials Engineering, NEDUET.

2. Content
• Definition
• History
• Importance
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Ergonomics to prevent MSDs
• Case Studies
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3. Definition
• Ergonomics is the science concerned with designing and arranging
things people use so that the people and things interact most
efficiently and safely
• Job fit for the worker
• Eliminates Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
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4. History
• Frederick W. Taylor – “Scientific
Management” Gilbreth – “Work
Study”
• Productivity not just by
machines
• Restructuring the way of work
• Advantages:
1. Output could be predicted in a
better way.
2. More elasticity in allotting
tasks to the workers.
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5. Importance
• Jobs today consist of:
1) 8 hours or more working time per day
2) Pushing, lifting, carrying, and pulling loads without assistance.
3) Fast pace
• These factors + Poor workplace + Improper use of tools = Stresses + Injuries
• Ergonomics is necessary, otherwise unwanted stresses
• Decrease in stresses = 50% elimination of injuries per year
• Lesser the injuries, greater the productivity
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6. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
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Repetitive
Movements,
Vibrations,
Bad
Postures
Muscles
Nerves
Tendons
Joints
Cartilage
Spinal
Discs

7. Ergonomics to Prevent MSDs
• Ergonomics plays an instrumental role in rescuing the MSDs.
• Adopting ergonomics can increase efficiency, productivity.
• Some practices for rescuing MSDs are as follows;
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8. Lifting
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9. Sitting
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10. Sloping Work Surface
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11. Standing
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13. Case Study 1 (Banks)
Findings Percentages (%)
Neck pain during working hours 71.67
Shoulder pain during working hours 48.33
Back care material 40.00
Adjustable chair 95.83
Adjustable keyboards 16.67
Chairs with adjustable armrests 25.00
Monitors with adjustable level 72.20
Movement of elbows freely
65.83
Movement of wrists freely 68.33
Movement of knees freely 73.33
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• Maastricht Upper Extremity
Questionnaire (MUEQ)
• 120 participants (Bankers)
• Minimum working hours: 6
hours per day
• Both public and private banks
• Cities: Islamabad, Rawalpindi
and Multan.

14. Case Study 2 (Garments Industry)
Body Parts Mean
Neck 2.03
Elbow 1.48
Forearms 1.73
Wrist/Hands 1.85
Thighs 1.78
Ankles/Feet 2.23
Shoulder 2.33
Upper Back 2.27
Lower Back 2.36
Hips 1.21
Knees 1.6
Lower Legs 1.84
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• Questionnaire by Industrial
Accident Prevention Association
(IAPA)
• 80 participants from 2 departments
(54 males, 26 females)
• 47 from Stitching and 33 from
finishing
• Data for previous year’s pain or
fatigue was collected on a scale of
4 points

15. Results from Garments Industry
• Rapid upper-limb assessment (RULA) to study the happening of MSDs.
• Estimation of unpredictable working postures by Rapid entire body assessment
(REBA).
• Females had significantly higher symptoms of MSDs as compared to males.
• Standing workers required 20% more energy.
• Alternate sit and stand workstations should be given.
• Ergonomically designed chair must be provided to the workers in stitching
department.
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17. References
• Introduction to Ergonomics – R.S. Bridger
• Ergonomics for Beginners – Jan Dul, Bernard Weerdmeester
• Ergonomics: The Study of Work – Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
• Frequency of neck and shoulder pain and use of adjustable
computer workstation among bankers – Shabbir and coworkers
• Ergonomic Risk Factors for Workers in Garments Manufacturing –
Shah and coworkers
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