Human factors and ergonomics aims to optimize human well-being and overall system performance through the study of physical, cognitive and organizational ergonomics. Physical ergonomics focuses on musculoskeletal injuries that can result from repetitive motions or sustained postures. Cognitive ergonomics examines how human perception, memory and decision-making influence interactions within a system. Organizational ergonomics seeks to optimize the structure, policies and processes of sociotechnical organizations.

1. Human Factors and Ergonomics

2. Key Elements

3. Human Factors and Ergonomics

4. What is “Ergonomics”?
Ergonomic principles adapt work to a specific person by designing tasks & tools
or equipment to fit the individual to prevent injuries to the musculoskeletal
system.

5. Areas covered under Ergonomics
Sl.No Areas of study Examples
1 Physical aspects of the user-machine
interface
Size, shape, texture, color, method of operation of displays, controls in machines
to be used anywhere.
2 Workplace design and work place layout Layout of factories, shop floor, offices, work places where detailed relationship
between different equipments, work user, etc is established.
3 Job design, selection and training Influence of shift work on performance, design of instructions, job aids, training
schemes, learning curves; selection of personnel against criteria of aptitude and
personality.
4 Physical environment Effects of climate, noise, vibration, illumination, sound and chemical/biological
contaminants on human performance and health.

6. • An “MSD” is an illness or injury that affects one or more parts
of the musculoskeletal system
– Bones
– Muscles
– Tendons
– Ligaments
– Cartilage
– Nerves
– Blood vessels
• Other common terms for “MSDs”are:
– Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD’s)
– Repetitive strain injures (RSI’s)
– Repetitive motion injuries (RMI’s)
When not diagnosed and treated these can cause
inconvenience permanent pain and disability.
What are the risks
of ignoring ergonomic principles?
MSD
MusculoSkeletal Disorders

7. What are MSD’S?
• MSD’s are injuries caused by sustained exposure to
stressors or repetitive motion.
• They may affect muscles, tendons, ligaments,
bones, circulation, or nerves.
• Some well-known MSD’s are:
– Carpel tunnel syndrome
– Guyner’s syndrome
– Trigger finger
– Tennis elbow CONTINUE

8. 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
Numbness is usually first symptom.
Pain & tingling, can go up the arm to the
shoulder and neck, causing waking to
pain in middle of night

9. 9
Physical ergonomics
Human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical
characteristics as they relate to physical activity
Cognitive ergonomics
Mental processes (perception, memory, reasoning, motor response) as they
affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system
Organizational ergonomics
Optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational
structures, policies and processes
Environmental Ergonomics
Types of Ergonomics

10. Physical Ergonomics Vs Cognitive
Ergonomics
• Physical ergonomics focuses on our bodies
• Cognitive ergonomics is interested in what
goes on in our brains: –
the way our senses perceive information
the way in which we understand and interpret it

11. COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS
• Studies cognition in work settings, in order to
optimize human well-being and system
performance .
• Focuses on the fit between human cognitive
abilities and limitations and the machine, task,
environment.

12. • Cognitive ergonomics, defined by the International
Ergonomics Association "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”.
The relevant topics include:
• mental workload decision-making
• skilled performance
• human-computer interaction, human reliability
• work stress
• training as these may relate to human-system
design.

13. Goals of Cognitive Function
Aims at enhancing performance of cognitive tasks
by:
• User-centered design of human machine
interaction and human computer interaction.
• Design of information technology systems that
support cognitive tasks e.g., cognitive artifacts)
• Development of training programs
• Work redesign to manage cognitive workload and
increase human reliability

14. • The way people perceive and act has direct
implications for the design of the artefacts and
environment that they use
• Mind is as comfortable at work as the body
• If physical surroundings reflect and support
their natural cognitive tendencies,
• Less errors
• performance & productivity -positive boost

15. Models Of Cognitive Ergonomics:
Recent models of cognitive ergonomics involve
three dimensions:
• Usefulness
• usability
• acceptance

18. Usability:
• The degree to which a product or service is easy
to use, easy to learn, and optimized for
efficiency
• ISO 9241-11 “Guidance on Usability”
• Extent to which a product can be used by
specified users to achieve specified goals with
effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction.

19. Perception
• The top down way our brain organizes and interprets
that information and puts it into context.
Perceptual set :
• The psychological factor that determines how you
perceive your environment.
Factors affecting perception:
1. Context
2. Culture
3. Emotions or moods
4. Position

20. Social Perception

21. Perception

22. Perception

23. Topics under Cognitive ergonomics

32. Physical Ergonomics and Work Related
Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSD)
• Physical Ergonomics is concerned with human
anatomy, anthropometry, physiology and bio
mechanical characteristics as they relate to physical
activity in work or daily life.
• Certain jobs or work conditions cause a higher rate
worker complaints of undue strain, localized fatigue,
discomfort, or pain that does not go away after
overnight rest.
• Every year 1.8 million U.S. workers experience
WRMSDs and nearly 600,000 of the injuries

34. Physical Ergonomics

35. Anthropometry
• Introduction: Anthropos "man" and Metron "measurement”
• A branch of anthropology that involves the quantitative measurement of t
he human body.
• It is the single most portable, universally applicable, inexpensive and non
invasive technique for assessing the size, proportions and composition of the
human body.
• It is used to evaluate both under & over nutrition.
• The measured values reflects the current nutritional status & don’t differe
ntiate between acute & chronic changes

36. Parameters of anthropometry
• Age dependent factors:-
a) Weight b) Height c) Head circumference d
• Age independent factors:-
a)Mid-arm circumference (1-5 years)
b) Weight for height
c) Skinfold thickness

37. Weight
• Weight
The measurement of weight is most reliable criteria of
assessment of health and nutritional status of children.
The weight can be recorded using a :
• Beam type weighing balance
• Electronic weighing scales for infants and children
• Salter spring machine (in field conditions)

38. Periodic recording of weight
• Growth Velocity :
• 0-4 months 1.0kg/month(30g/day)
• 5-8 months 0.75kg/month(20gm/day)
• 9-12 months 0.50kg/month(15g/day)
• 1-3 years 2.25kg/yr
• 4-9 years 2.75 kg/yr
• 10-18 years 5.06.0kg/yr

39. Length or Height/Stature
Measurement Technique
• Upto 2 years of age Recumbent Length is measured
with the help of an Infantometer .
• In older children Standing Height or Stature is record
ed. It is convenient to use an Inbuilt Stadiometer affi
xed on the wall which provides a direct read out of h
eight with an accuracy of +/- 0.1cm.
• Nutritional deprivation over a period of time affects t
he stature or linear growth of the child .

40. Organizational Ergonomics
Organizational ergonomic works on complete
optimization of the workplace, right from
quality management to teamwork. It includes
managing everything in the organization to
make it a better place to work.

41. Environmental Ergonomics