Human Factors & ergonomics

Anthropometrics & ergonomics : the science that defines physical

measures of a person's size, form, and functional capacities.

Dynamic Anthropometric Data Static (structur

(functional) data The aspect of ergonomics al) data – Huma
Human body that deals with body
measurements
n body
measurements, measurements
taken when the
particularly those of size, when the subject
subject is in
motion related
strength and physical is still.
capacity.

Primary data: first hand data collected by a user in order to evaluate the user preferences in
various groups. This would be carried out if there is a specialised group of people that
may not have been studied.

Secondary data: Data collected by someone other than the user & can be extracted from
online databases or books

Reliability and limitations collecting anthropometric data.

 Age, gender, ethnicity, etc need to be considered.

 Body shape and sizes can change over time.

Percentiles & ranges: People at the 95th percentile be able to have a

comfortable clearance with the product.

50th percentile include of the average people

who should be able to use a product
comfortably

5th percentile: People at the 5% should be able to

have an easy reach on/to/in a product
Adjustability: when products can change in
size
Reach: the range to which a person can The large proportion of products are made for
stretch to touch or grab an object people between 5% and 95%
Clearance: physical space between 2 objects

Range of sizes verses adjustability

Designing for adjustability is required to accommodate the anthropometric variability
between members & users of a specific group. This can help avoiding anthropometric
mismatch by creating an inclusive product experience. Customers outside the range of 5 th
percentile are the ones who may require customized solutions to meet their needs
Psychological factors: human factor data that is related to phycological interpretation caused by light smell
sound & taste temperature & texture.

- These factors allow designers to optimize the health, safety & performance of a user
- Play an important role in ergonomics &human efficiency

Human information processing system:

An automatic system that a person uses to interpret
information and react. It consist of (inputs, processes (which
can be sensory, central and motor), and outputs.

Factors affecting information processing systems:

- Slower reaction time
- sensory are uncoordinated with input
- stimulus is not detected
- at the central processing stage the brain may not
be able to generate response for the input
- the motor process may be unable to be carried
- age, strength, skills, health, environmental factors

Environmental factors: A set of psychological factors that can affect the performance of an
individual based on the environment they are situated in. these include, sound, temperature,
lighting, pollutants & air.

How environmental factors impact user performance:

- Negative effects on physical & mental health in working environments can male employees feel
dissatisfied & uncomfortable
- Air quality including proper ventilation in work spaces also play a role in creating a restful
environment for workers. However, it may generate noise, less than optimal temperatures.
- Building acoustics play an important role in avoiding noise distraction within the workspace.
- Natural lighting can bring a sense of freshness within the workspace also giving the employees to
work with a good view.
- Additionally, adjustable task lighting also helps employees to adjust the level of light to their liking
- Worker densities describes the ideal “working room” employees should have to work comfortably
- Open floor plan can help people perceive a feeling of space & allowing free movement of air and
lighting enhancing concentration levels of employees.
- Allotment of defensible spaces can also impact the employees work productivity levels as they can
make their space more personal to themselves.

Alertness: the level of vigilance, readiness & caution in an individual

How environmental factors can induce different levels of alertness:

Temperature: too warm and you get sleepy and less alert – too cold and you become more alert
.
Sound: too loud which can be distracting or even cause harm, high pitched or repetitive on/off noises also become
distracting. (louder noises can also cause fatigue)

Lighting: too dim or to bright lighting can put strain on the eyes. (brighter light increases alertness at night)

Air quality: excess dust or other pollutants could cause people to find it hard to breathe, maybe cough
Smell: Certain essential or aroma oils are said to improve alertness

Perception: The way in which something is regarded, understood or interpreted.

- Perception can decrease the reliability of psychological data
- In this context quantitative data this gathered relating to psychological factors
- For example temperatures can be suited to level of comfortability, body mass, manner of
dress & phycological changes
- Comfort zone, spaces & taste also vary from different cultures
- Thermal comfort
- sources, air velocity (can make people feel more stuffy) humidity, and personal factors
(clothing and metabolic rate).
- In an environment with a large no. of people working the thermal environment satisfies the
majority of the people.

Physiological factors: data related to physical characteristics to optimize the user’s safety, health, comfort
and performance.

types of physiological factor data available to designers:

Physiological data can be
collected through:
- Fatigue & comfort
- Endurance - User trials
- Visual acuity - Online data basis
- Tolerance of extreme temperatures
- Performance testing
- Frequency range of human hearing
- observations
- Weight/size/mas
- Eye/hand coordination/response to stimulus

Comfort and fatigue

When users interact with products, they may put stress on their bodies which leads to comfort
and fatigue.

Fatigue: When people are put under physical or mental stress/activities for extended periods,
fatigue can set in.

Comfort: This varies between people. For instance the type of bed that a person will choose is
determined by the firmness of the mattress.

Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms. The importance
of biomechanics to the design of different products considering muscle strength, age, health of
user, user interface (surface texture, handle size, etc)
Physiological data focuses on
gathering information on
individual’s organ systems.
other terms:
design for “inclusion” – special
designs made for people with
special needs/physical health
conditions.