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Ergonomics - An Introduction

Ergonomics & Human Factors

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Sanjib Kumar Das
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18 views

Ergonomics - An Introduction

Ergonomics & Human Factors

Uploaded by

Sanjib Kumar Das
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ergonomics and Human Factors

Fundamentals:
An Introduction

Dr. Sanjib Kumar Das, PhD


Associate Professor
AIHAS, Amity University, Noida
 ‘Ergonomics’ : derived from Greek words ergo (work)
and nomos (laws)

 Ergonomics is the study of natural laws of governing work.

 This field of study addresses the issues at the human


machine interface.

 Human factors engineering and human factors, close


synonyms in U.S.

 Ergonomics For
 Right fit
 Improved performance
 Better Quality of life
Definition

Ergonomics (or Human Factors) is 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 in
order to optimize human well being and overall system
performance.

Ergonomists contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks,


jobs, products, environments and systems in order to make
them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations of
people.
(International Ergonomics Association)
Man Machine Environment (MME) System

person Task,
m/c

environment
MME System

person task

environment

organization workstation
Domains of Ergonomics

 Physical ergonomics
 Cognitive ergonomics
 Organizational ergonomics

(International Ergonomics Association)


Evaluation of physical work

Energy input out put balance Anthropometry


Work method
Work posture
Motion study
(for identifying MSD risk OWAS
factor) RULA
Production study REBA
Efficiency
Quality

Body discomfort Ergo-risk evaluation


OWAS: Analysis of postural load during work
RULA: Rapid upper limb assessment
REBA: Rapid entire body assessment
Objectives

To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness with


which the work and other activities are carried
out.

To enhance the certain human values, including


improved safety, reduced fatigue & stress,
increased comfort, greater user expectation,
increased job satisfaction and improve quality of
life.
Ergonomic Applications: design

 Vehicle Seat
Contour
 Computer
Keyboards
 Work Station Design
 Furniture Design
Applications: work and product safety

 Risk Factor Analysis


 Work Site Analysis
 Accident Surveillance
 Task Analysis
 Work Capacity Assessment
“Human Factors” in Design
The Best Way to Lift Bricks
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth: “…to lift 90 pounds
of brick at a time is most advantageous
physiologically as well as economically …”
Bricks/Lift 1 18 24
Weight/Lift (lbs) 5 90 120
Work/Hour (kcal) 520 285 450
Bricks/Hour 250 600 300

Optimal Procedure
Ergonomics doctrine: Six Pillars of
Ergonomic Design

1. User Orientation: Design and application of tools,


procedures, and systems must be user-oriented, rather
than just “task” oriented
2. Diversity: Recognition of diversity in human
capabilities and limitations, rather than “stereotyping”
workers/users
3. Effect on Humans: Tools, procedures, and systems are
not “inert”, but do influence human behavior and well-
being

Sanders M. S., and McCormick E. J.,1993


Ergonomics doctrine: Six Pillars of
Ergonomic Design
4. Objective Data: Empirical information and
evaluation is key in design process, rather than just
use of “common sense”
5. Scientific Method: test and retest hypothesis with
real data, rather than “anecdotal” evidence or
“good estimates”
6. Systems: object, procedures, environments, and
people are interconnected, affect one another, and
do not exist in “isolation”

Sanders M. S., and McCormick E. J.,1993


Ergonomics - basic
framework

Task Demands Working Capacity

Work Design Task Outcome


Working capacity

 Age
 Sex
 Selection
 Training
 Lifestyle
 Motivation
 Adaptive Reserves
Ergonomics: work design and
adaptation
 Task Design
 Systems Design
 Product Design
 Workstation Design
 Interface Design
 Information Design
 Environment Design
What is not Ergonomics?

1. NOT just applying “universal” checklists


and guidelines blindly

2. NOT using oneself as the model for design


since there is diversity and variation

3. NOT just using common sense since must


be based on real data and information
Development of Ergonomics
 1950s: Military Ergonomics
 1960s: Industrial Ergonomics
 1970s: Consumer product Ergonomics
 1980s: Human-computer interaction and
software Ergonomics
 1990s: Cognitive Ergonomics and organization
Ergonomics
 2000s: Global communication, internet, and
virtual collaboration
 Next:?
Emerging Areas in Ergonomics:
Six Sigma and Ergonomics
Remove variability from process inputs to yield defect-
free outputs.

If people are involved in the process, the specific tasks


they perform are considered inputs.

Poor site lines, awkward postures, excessive exposure


to force, repetition, and vibration, all contribute to
input variability.

Ergonomics applies information about human


capabilities to minimize variability.
Ergonomics in the DMAIC Process
THANK YOU
Dr. Sanjib Kumar Das
MPT (Musculoskeletal), PhD (Ergonomics & Human Factors)
Associate Professor
Program Leader
Stream Coordinator (Clinical Sciences)
Mentor-Mentee Program Co-ordinator
Dept. of Physiotherapy, Amity Institute of Health Allied Sciences,
Amity University, Noida
F-1, Sector-125, NOIDA-201301,
Contact No. +918879485847
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=rdOq9r8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sanjib-kumar-das-75950936/

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