Ergonomics, definition ,introduction ,advantages

ERGONOMICS
Introduction
Definition
Objective
Advantages
SUBMITTED BY
TESSA RAJU A
91
II M.Sc EVS

DEFNITION
 the study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
 The term ergonomics originally comes from the Greek
words ergon (work or labor) and nomos (natural laws). The
fact that the word ergonomics was coined by a Polish
scholar, Wojciech Jastrzębowski, in 1857 became widely
known when his book in Polish was reprinted with English
translation in 1997
 Human factors and ergonomics is the application of
psychological and physiological principles to the engineering
and design of products, processes, and systems .
 Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging
workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people
who use them.
 Ergonomics aims to improve workspaces and environments to
minimize risk of injury or harm.

ERGONOMICS
 The international ergonomics association defines
Ergonomics as the scientific discipline
concerned with the understanding of interactions
among humans and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory, principles,
data and methods to design to optimize human
well being and overall system performance.
 It is defined as the study of people in their
working environment. It is the science of fitting
workplace conditions and job demands to the
capability of the working population.

 The field is a combination of numerous
disciplines, such as psychology, sociology,
engineering, biomechanics, industrial design,
physiology, anthropometry, interaction design,
visual design, user experience, and user interface
design.
 Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent
repetitive strain injuries and other
musculoskeletal disorders, which can develop
over time and can lead to long-term disability.

 Rather than expecting people to adapt to a
design that forces them to work in an
uncomfortable, stressful or dangerous way,
ergonomists and human factors specialists seek
to understand how a product, workplace or
system can be designed to suit the people who
need to use it.
Ergonomics comprise three main fields of
research:
 Physical ergonomics
 Cognitive errgonomics
 Organizational ergonomics.

Physical ergonomics
 Physical ergonomics is concerned with human
anatomy, and some of the anthropometric,
physiological and bio mechanical characteristics
as they relate to physical activity.
 Risk factors such as localized mechanical
pressures, force and posture in a sedentary office
environment lead to injuries attributed to an
occupational environment.
.

 These types of jobs are often those involving
activities such as repetitive and forceful
exertions; frequent, heavy, or overhead lifts;
awkward work positions; or use of vibrating
equipment.
 Physical ergonomics is important to those
diagnosed with physiological ailments or
disorders such as arthritis (both chronic and
temporary) or carpal tunnel syndrome
 Many ergonomically designed products are also
used or recommended to treat or prevent such
disorders, and to treat pressure-related chronic
pain.

 Mitigation solutions can include both short term
and long-term solutions. Short and long-term
solutions involve awareness training, positioning
of the body, furniture and equipment and
ergonomic exercises.
 Sit-stand stations and computer accessories that
provide soft surfaces for resting the palm as well
as split keyboards are recommended. Innovative
workstations that are being tested include sit-
stand desks, treadmill desks, pedal devices and
cycle ergometers.

Cognitive ergonomics
 Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental
processes, such as perception, memory,
reasoning, and motor response, as they affect
interactions among humans and other elements
of a system.
 Topics include mental workload, decision-
making, skilled performance, human reliability,
work stress and training as these may relate to
human-system and Human-Computer Interaction
design.

 Cognitive ergonomics aims at enhancing
performance of cognitive tasks by means of
several interventions, including user-centered
design of human-machine interaction and
human-computer interaction , design of
information technology systems that support
cognitive tasks , development of training
programs, work redesign to manage cognitive
workload and increase human reliability etc.

Organisational ergonomics
 Organizational ergonomics focuses on
optimizing socio-technical systems and
organizing structures, policies and processes in
order to maximize efficiency. This domain
addresses more subjective aspects of the
workplace including Communication, Crew
resources and management ,Work schedule
design, Teamwork, Participatory design,
Cooperative work ,New work paradigms Quality
management, Virtual organizations, Community
ergonomics etc.

 The goal of organizational ergonomics is the
attainment of a fully harmonized work system
that ensures employee job satisfaction and
commitment. It also includes the study of
technology’s consequences on human
relationships, processes, and institutions.

 The benefits of ergonomics can appear in many
different forms, in productivity and quality, in
safety and health, in reliability, in job satisfaction
and in personal development. The aim of
ergonomics is to ensure that the working situation
is in harmony with the activities of the worker.
 The basic aim of ergonomics is efficiency in
purposeful activity which includes efficiency in
the widest sense of achieving the desired result
without wasteful input, without error and without
damage to the person involved or to others.

 The other objectives of ergonomics include
optimizing the integration of man and machine
in order to increase productivity with accuracy.
This involves in the design of work suitable for
worker and design of machinery and controls so
as to minimize mental and physical strain on the
worker to enable efficiency the improvement in
efficiency.
 Attempts should also be done to minimize the
risk of injury, illness, accidents and errors
without compromising productivity. It also
includes improving the design of machine at the
initial design stage or later whenever the existing
product or process is modified.

 Ergonomic design of the seats include type of seat,
seat height, back support, arm support, foot rests
etc.
 The work place should be designed in a way that it
reduces issues like backaches, neckaches, and
other muscular strains due to bad seating and
incorrect working posture are common in industry.
 Most of the jobs are performed by the operators
either in sitting or standing in a fixed posture for a
long duration. The interaction of the operator with
the immediate workspace around him is
influenced by many factors such as seat design,

 All tools and materials required must be located
within the normal grasp area and as far as
possible in front of the worker. This will enable
him to travel lesser distances to pick up and put
these tools and materials frequently at desired
place so as to save time and energy.
 For the assembly work, it is advisable to provide
such arrangement so that the components can
slide along the smooth surface and the worker
picks them up. It will greatly reduce the time and
effort.

 Chairs permitting proper posture for the workers
must be provided. This is possible when the
worker is working on the work bench. The height
of chair and the work bench must be arranged in
such a way so that the worker may not feel any
difficulty while working.
 Their height must be such that the top of bench
remains at the height of the elbow of the worker. If
possible the height of the bench must be such that
worker can work both in sitting and standing
positions. Chairs must be provided with foot rests.

 The posture that a workman needs to adopt to
perform the task is an important consideration in
the design of workplace. Incorrect posture can
cause strain in back, waist, legs and hands.
 Most machines today are reasonably well designed
for optimum performance, but the capacity of the
worker assigned to the machine is generally
different. This may result in a job taking longer to
complete and the risk of errors increases.
 To prevent this, user and machinery must be
looked as a combined unit. Thus the ergonomics
must be involved in fitting the tool and the
machine to the worker by designing it accordingly.

 Machine must be so designed so that worker can
use both hands and foot simultaneously for
operating it and all the levers, pedals,
instruments, hand wheels, knobs and buttons
must be located within the normal grasp at a
suitable height and in front of the operator.
 Foot pedals must be provided with suitably
returning springs. Care must be taken to avoid
eye, muscular and mental strain.

 Physical and psycho-social aspects of the work
environment are crucial factors which affect
comfort of worker and his performance. The
physical factors at the workplace include
lighting, ventilation, noise and temperature.
 Psychosocial aspects are concerned with
motivational work environment, these includes
working hours, rest pauses, shift systems, health
and safety along-with other factors.

 1. Improves Health
 People who work in ergonomic workplaces have improved health. It typically starts within the
cardiovascular system and spreads to other areas. Your heart will be healthier than it would be if you were
working in a standard environment.
 Also, you and your employees will feel less tension in your body because you’ll be adjusting the
workstations to fit your height. These natural positions will prevent you from straining your eyes and
necks. You’ll also reduce swelling in your legs because your blood flow will be optimal.
 2. Improved Mental Insight
 When you feel comfortable, you can focus better on the task at hand. Ergonomics decreases pain,
strengthens muscles, and increases blood flow. Combined, this improves mental insight.
 You and your employees will experience less anxiety, increased awareness, improved moods, and focus.
This means everyone can concentrate on their work more. The better focused they are the higher
productivity levels.
 3. Higher Productivity Levels
 The better focused your employees are, the high level of productivity they can have. Ergonomics combine
different ideas to make workstations feel more natural. These lead to increased productivity because
they’ll be more comfortable and focused.
 Your business needs productivity levels to increase to be successful. You can change your workplace to be
better for employees. The better they feel about their work, the more they’ll want to produce.
 4. Decreased Pains
 Ergonomics is meant to make things feel more natural and safe. Due to this change, your body will be less
strained and your health will improve. These combined will lead to decreased pain.
 When employees feel uncomfortable, it affects their ability to work. You can work at a standing desk, or
trade the phone for a headset to start. The less pain your employees have, the better they can focus on the

 5. Higher Quality Work
 The benefits of ergonomic workspaces range from the body to the quality of work. Aches, pains, fatigue, and other
problems can take a toll on a worker. Ergonomics can eliminate those issues and help workers work.
 When people feel comfortable, they can focus on high-quality production. This combined with increased
productivity levels will keep your consumers happy too.
 6. Eliminates Hazards
 Part of creating a more productive work environment is eliminating the daily hazards that can hurt your employees.
These distractions are unsafe and can lead to worse consequences later. Pay attention and know your office so you
can assess what hazards exist.
 Another good idea is to ask your employees what hazards they face daily. By asking for their input, you’re showing
that you care. Implementing the change will show them they’ve been heard.
 7. Increased Employee Engagement
 Your employees will notice that your business provides the best conditions for increased employees’ health and
safety. Because they won’t be experiencing fatigue and discomfort, you’ll see an increase in the employees’
involvement. You’ll find their motivation will increase the more they feel taken care of by the company.
 This can reduce the turnover rate and make your business one others want to work with. Your employees’ opinions
matter, and you can benefit from it by utilizing ergonomics.
 8. Encourages Safety
 Ergonomics will create a safer work environment and increase awareness. You’ll remove hazards, improve
workstations for less discomfort, and teach your employees to update their spaces with safety in mind.
 Not to mention, the health benefits that come with ergonomics keeps employees healthy at work. This will
encourage safety on another level. You can keep your work consistent and stable by providing employees with a safe
environment they can thrive in.
 9. Happier Employees, Happier You
 The better you utilize ergonomics, the happier your employees will be. They’ll enjoy coming into work more than
they did before, and it will affect those around them. You will notice a difference in your own happiness.

Ergonomics, definition ,introduction ,advantages

Ergonomics, definition ,introduction ,advantages

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