Ergonomics

12 Key excerpts on "Ergonomics"

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  eBook - ePub

  Electronic Measurement Systems

  Theory and Practice

  • A.F.P van Putten, A.F.P Van Putten(Authors)
  • 2019(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  Twelve

  Ergonomics OR HUMAN ENGINEERING

  12.1

  INTRODUCTION

  This chapter is devoted to one of the most neglected disciplines in measuring techniques. The reason is easy to understand because it is the least possible to quantify and was considered for a long time to be of little importance. However, equipment and systems have grown considerably in complexity and nowadays the relationship between humans and systems very often plays an important and vital role in efficiency, safety, comfort and health.

  To understand what is meant by Ergonomics the following definition will clarify the implications involved. Ergonomics is defined as the collection of knowledge about skills and limits of the human being and the science of applying this knowledge to equipment and systems to achieve a well-being and functioning of humans in which safety aspects and economical efficiency can play a vital role. The American equivalent for Ergonomics is ‘human engineering’. The word Ergonomics was first introduced by K F H Murrel in 1949 and is derived from the Greek words ergon = work and nomos = knowledge. The person involved in Ergonomics is called a human engineer, for whom the following topics are subjects of investigation:

  1  creating good working conditions

  2  creating efficient tools, equipment and systems in which a direct relationship with the human being is present

  3  the investigation of maximum-load conditions for the human being performing various tasks under static and dynamic environmental conditions

  4  the mechanisms with which the required information is perceived and the relevant thresholds for the human being

  5  the way in which information is presented to allow unambiguous interpretation.

  One of the best examples in which all of these aspects play a vital role is flying an aeroplane. Optimum conditions and circumstances between pilot and machine must be present to fulfill all requirements. A pilot should be in good condition and be able to perform his or her tasks with a machine which is also maintained in good condition. The different flying tasks such as starting, flying, approaching and descending are tasks with different loads for the pilot with possible rapid changes in working circumstances. All equipment, systems and subsystems must be designed in such a fashion that optimum safety, attainability and operability are guaranteed and that the displayed information can be understood without ambiguity.

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  Human Factors and Behavioural Safety

  • Jeremy Stranks(Author)
  • 2007(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  Many personal factors, such as physical and mental stress, can affect human capability and limit human performance. In some cases, these factors may create hazards in the workplace. People and their work operations can impose limitations which need to be addressed. This is where the study of Ergonomics and the application of ergonomic principles in the design of work interfaces are most important.

  Ergonomics is variously defined as

  • the scientific study of work;
  • the scientific study of the relationship between man and his environment;
  • the study of man in his working environment;
  • fitting the man to the job or fitting the job to the worker;
  • human engineering; and
  • the study of the man–machine interface.

  More detailed definitions include: (1) That branch of science and technology that includes what is known and theorized about human behaviour and biological characteristics that can be validly applied to the specification, design, evaluation, operation and maintenance of systems to enhance safe, effective and satisfying use by individuals, groups and organizations; and (2) The study of human abilities and characteristics which affect the design of equipment, systems and jobs . . . and its aims are to improve safety and . . . well-being.

  The scope of Ergonomics

  Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary science which uses basic knowledge from the human, engineering, economic and social sciences. It incorporates elements of occupational medicine and health, occupational psychology, law and sociology. All these disciplines are associated with people at work and, therefore, represent an aspect of ergonomic study.

  Ergonomics, as applied to the man/machine interface, has been further defined as ‘the physiological, anatomical and psychological aspect of man in his working environment’. Ergonomics further embraces a number of disciplines including physiology, anatomy, psychology, engineering and environmental science. It examines, in particular, the physical and mental capacities and limitations of workers taking into account, at the same time, psychological factors, such as learning, individual skills, perception, attitudes, vigilance, information processing and memory together with physical factors, such as strength, stamina and body dimensions.

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  Work Study and Ergonomics

  • Lakhwinder Pal Singh(Author)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • Cambridge University Press

    (Publisher)

  The formal definition of Ergonomics, approved by the IEA, reads as follows: In the design of work and everyday-life situations, the focus of Ergonomics is human. Unsafe, unhealthy, uncomfortable or inefficient situations at work or in everyday life are avoided by taking account of the physical and psychological capabilities and limitations of humans. A number of aspects play a role in Ergonomics; these include body posture and movement (sitting, standing, lifting, pulling and pushing), environmental factors (noise, vibration, illumination, climate, chemical substances), information and operation (information gained visually or through other senses, controls, relation between displays and control) as well as work organization (appropriate tasks, interesting jobs). These factors determine to a large extent safety, health, comfort and efficient performance at work and in everyday life. Ergonomics draws its knowledge from various fields in the human sciences and technology, including anthropometry, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, toxicology, mechanical engineering, industrial design, information technology and industrial management. It has gathered selected and integrated relevant knowledge from these fields. In applying this knowledge, specific methods and techniques are used. Ergonomics differs from other fields by its inter-disciplinary approach and applied nature. The inter-disciplinary character of the ergonomic approach means that it relates to many different human facets. Due to its applied nature, the ergonomic approach results in the adaptation of the workplace or environment to fit people, rather than the other way round 6.5. An Ergonomist In some countries, it is possible to graduate as an ergonomist. Other people who are trained in one of the relevant basic technical, medical or social science fields can also acquire knowledge and Introduction to Ergonomics 137 capabilities in Ergonomics through training and experience.

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  Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics

  • Gavriel Salvendy, Waldemar Karwowski, Gavriel Salvendy, Waldemar Karwowski(Authors)
  • 2021(Publication Date)
  • Wiley

    (Publisher)

  Such interactions are viewed from the unified perspective of the science, engineering, design, technology, and management of human-compatible systems, including a variety of natural and artificial products, processes, and living environments (Karwowski, 2005). The various dimensions of such defined Ergonomics discipline are shown in Figure 1. The International Ergonomics Association (IEA, 2003) defines Ergonomics (or human factors) as the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the 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 . Human factors professionals 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. HFE discipline promotes a holistic, human-centered approach to systems design that considers the physical, cognitive, neural, social, emotional, organizational, developmental, ecological, environmental, and other factors relevant for the socio-economic development and well-being of the global society (Ayaz & Dehais, 2018; Bridger, 2006; Chapanis, 1995, 1999; Drury, 2008; Edholm & Murrell, 1973; Falzon, 2014; Grandjean, 1986; Hancock, 2017; Jaworek, Marek, & Karwowski, 2020; Karwowski, 2001; Kroemer, 2017; Moray, 2000; Parasuraman, 2003; Salvendy, 1997; Sanders & McCormick, 1993; Stanton et al., 2004; Vicente, 2004; Wilson, 2014; Wilson & Corlett, 1995). Historically, Ergonomics ( ergon + nomos ), or “the study of work,” was originally and proposed and defined by the Polish scientist B. W. Jastrzebowski (1857a–d) as the scientific discipline with a very broad scope and wide subject of interests 3

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  Industrial Hygiene Engineering

  Recognition, Measurement, Evaluation and Control

  • John J. Talty(Author)
  • 1998(Publication Date)
  • William Andrew

    (Publisher)

  Part of the confusion i s a result of the fact that two general terms are used for essentially the same discipline. The term Ergonomics, which i s used more widely in England, and the 'term human factors, which i s prevalent i n use i n the United States, essentially describe the same discipline or f i e l d of study. I t might be argued that the f i e l d of human factors i n the United States i s broader i n i t s applicability since i t involves the design of products for the consumer market place as well as the design of work-related tasks and equipment. However, generally the major application of both fields i s toward the use of bioengineering and biomechanics to improve the workplace environment for the worker. Ergonomics draws from many fields or disciplines of study. Figure 7.1.1 illustrates the major disciplines from which Ergonomics draws. In the physical sciences. both physics and chemistry provide basic information that i s used i n the f i e l d of Ergonomics. Mathematics. through the use of statistics and biometrics (the measurement of body structure), i s also widely applied i n the study of work laws. The biological sciences give to the f i e l d 702 Ergonomics 703 of Ergonomics the studies of anatomy, physiology, and anthropometry. Psychology provides a basis for learning theory as well as human reaction t o various stimuli. The f i e l d of engineering is important in the proper design of equipment for use by humans i n the workplace. Finally, the f i e l d of systems analysis provides a basic structure whereby the analysis of the job can be performed. Figure 7.1.1 Major disciplines. ATHEMATIC PSYCHOLOGY SCIENCES Ergonomics I ' ENGINEERING I ANALYSIS The basic obiective of Ergonomics i s to obtain an optimum relationship between the worker and the work environment. The worker, i n performing a job, must act to complete assigned tasks in a manner that w i l l result in the desired product being generated i n the most efficient manner possible.

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  Designing Service Excellence

  People and Technology

  • Brian Hunt, Toni Ivergard(Authors)
  • 2014(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  From this perspective the context of orga-nizational Ergonomics is still in an early phase. Ripe for future develop-ment is advanced interaction on the Internet. This form of activity in a local society or on a global scale is an area of Ergonomics. The human ability to handle, for example, large economic systems and the highs and lows of global economic systems is, to a large extent, dependent on this understand-ing of the human aspect of Ergonomics and an understanding of technologi-cal systems of information handling (for example, as needed in processes of trading). Today, with interconnected macro-information systems, small errors in information handling can have enormous ramifications. On the other hand, information handling in a modern motor vehicle with many 67 People, Technology, and Usability built-in electronic service systems (different types of embedded control systems) can also give rise to disturbances and accidents due to a lack of organizational Ergonomics (i.e., a lack of understanding between the local service system and its coordination with the cognition of the human opera-tor). These micro- and macro-ergonomic perspectives have many parallels to our understanding about overpopulation of our planet and the roles of human activity in building up macro-technological systems such as energy supply (e.g., nuclear power, wind power, water power) related to new types of energy-related consumption for heating, air conditioning, and transport (whether public or private). Seemingly, humankind currently lacks a good understanding of the ways in which human activities are affecting the balance in nature. Fundamentals and Criteria of Ergonomics and Usability Ergonomics focuses on the interrelation between humans and complex tech-nological systems. The overall purpose of Ergonomics is to contribute to a balance between people and technology. Figure 5.1 illustrates the relation-ship between people and technology in low and high levels of automation.

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  Human Performance and Ergonomics

  Perceptual and Cognitive Principles

  • Peter A. Hancock(Author)
  • 1999(Publication Date)
  • Academic Press

    (Publisher)

  With the increasing use has come a broadening of its connotation so it is now more and more often serving the same function in the United States as in Europe; manufacturers frequently describe products as ergonomically designed in order to convey the idea that special care has been taken to make them not only functional but easy and safe to use. 1 Engineering Psychology and Ergonomics 3 In the remainder of this chapter, I will not put much emphasis on these terminological distinctions, which is not to deny their importance for some purposes. The topic of the chapter is sufficiently broad to encompass the activities of most of the people who describe what they do by any of these terms. I will use the terms that seem most natural in context and, as a matter of convenience, will often use engineering psychology generically to encompass the entire domain of interest. I. THE DISCIPLINE Engineering psychology has been viewed as a bridging, or hybrid, discipline (Grether, 1968). Its function is seen as that of bringing psychological knowl- edge-knowledge of the sensory, perceptual, motor, and cognitive capabilities and limitations of human beingsmto bear on the design of devices, systems, and procedures that are to be used by people. Its role is viewed as that of promoting such design criteria as ease of use, effective performance, and the safety and comfort of users, as well as that of developing or codifiying the knowledge that is needed to ensure the feasibility of applying such criteria in specific instances. Its interests intersect with those of several other disciplines, including experimental, industrial, and organizational psychology; mechanical and industrial engineering; architecture; and computer science.

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  Environmental Protection

  • Shamshun, Nehar(Authors)
  • 2021(Publication Date)
  • Daya Publishing House

    (Publisher)

  It includes communication, crew resource management, and work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community Ergonomics, cooperative work, new work paradigms, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management. This ebook is exclusively for this university only. Cannot be resold/distributed. This ebook is exclusively for this university only. Cannot be resold/distributed. Figure 21.1: Taxonomy of Ergonomics Software/HCI Ergonomics Software/HCI Ergonomics inherits from the main characteristics of Ergonomics. It is a science that contributes to the knowledge necessary to software design, and to computer-based environments, with the overall perspective of human security and well-being, and for facilitating users’ tasks, limiting learning time, reducing errors and related cost. Software Ergonomics focuses on the improvement of HCIs mainly in terms of cognition. Of late novel interaction techniques ( e.g. , multimodality) and novel environments ( e.g. , virtual reality) are considered under physical Ergonomics. Human-Computer Interaction Human-computer interaction constitutes the set of hardware, software, human and environmental elements that influence the efficiency of systems and products, both from a technological and a human point of view. HCI is a specialization of Human-Machine Interaction. It has three complementary aspects: the human aspect, the computer aspect, and the interaction aspect. The human and interaction aspects belong to Ergonomics; the computer and interaction aspects belong to the HCI part of computer science. Mobile HCI is of special elevance. Cognitive. ergonomic should be considered In the various phases involved in the development life cycle of HCI.

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  Human Factors and Ergonomics in Consumer Product Design

  Uses and Applications

  • Waldemar Karwowski, Marcelo M. Soares, Neville A. Stanton, Waldemar Karwowski, Marcelo M. Soares, Neville A. Stanton(Authors)
  • 2011(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  Ergonomic professionals are concerned with the design of systems to make the systems fit the needs, abilities, and limitations of human beings. In Hendrick and Kleiner (2002), macro-Ergonomics is defined as the analysis, design, and evalu-ation of work systems. The term “work” refers to any form of human effort or activity, including recreation and leisure pursuits. A system refers to socio-technical systems. These systems may be as simple as a single individual using a hand tool or as complex as a multi-national organization. A work system consists of two or more persons interacting with some form of: (1) job design, (2) hard-ware and/or software, (3) internal environment, (4) external environment, and (5) an organizational design that includes all of the work system’s structure and processes. In Brown ( apud Bezerra 1998), macro-Ergonomics is seen as socio-technical systems and the con-cepts and procedures of socio-technical systems are applied to the field of Ergonomics. Bezerra (1998) points out that macro-Ergonomics views organizations as open systems in constant interaction with the environment and, through processes of adaptation, may present organizational “dysfunctions,” which are reflected in their performances and particularly in their social subsystems. The method used in Ergonomics is the “ergonomic analysis,” which provides an analysis of the work and promotes improvement of the interface between the machine, the human, and the organization. Macro-Ergonomics represents an efficient strategy for consolidating human issues with issues of survival in the world today. The key to a successful macro-Ergonomics intervention is to con-sider socio-technical parameters in conjunction with input from a person who will be impacted by the ergonomic interventions.

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  Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers

  • Mark R. Lehto, Steven J. Landry(Authors)
  • 2012(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  * It is assumed that most readers have some knowledge of engineering economics or the mathematics of finance. 13 Chapter one: Guided tour of ergonomic design Principle 1.14 Involve personnel in planning and implementing the changes from both a system-wide and indi-vidual perspective, with particular emphasis on making the implementation process minimally disruptive . Human cooperation and teamwork often fails to overcome human discord, but being part of the planning improves human acceptance; the secondary breakup of soil is often more difficult than the primary breakup. The final principle on human abilities and limita-tions is as follows. Principle 1.15 Assure that personnel understand both the abilities and limitations of the new technology, know how to monitor and intervene appropriately, and retain clear feelings of responsibility for system operations . These final principles on the ergonomic design of human-centered systems remind us that designers strongly affect the attitudes of operating personnel long after the design is completed. After designing a solution to the formulated problem, designers need to refine and improve the initial solution toward an optimum. The activity involved at this stage is usu-ally iterative. Additional examinations are needed to assure that the system does in fact meet the abilities and limitations of all its component roles. Designers need to assure that people in the system understand how it operates. In some simple systems, this procedure is elementary, but in many cases it is not, so various issues regarding the final design solu-tion need to be examined. Two obvious concerns about the solution are whether the system works and whether it works as planned. Some other obvious questions need to be addressed: Is the stated prob-lem solved? Are all the requirements met? Demonstrations of the solution must be made to assure that the answers to these questions are correct and complete.

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  Human Factors in Product Design

  Current Practice and Future Trends

  • W. Green, Patrick W. Jordan, W. Green, Patrick W. Jordan(Authors)
  • 1999(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  This may 20 Human Factors in Product Design be very early, when there are prototypes for people to explore, or not until the product reaches the market place. In the automotive industry, for example, Ergonomics tends to be an engineering function and as such happens after the aesthetic design is 'signed off (see Tovey 1992). Prior to this sign off, a basic 2D package including some 'hard points' (established engineering or Ergonomics 3D data points) which must be incorporated into the design, may be all that has been provided to the designer. Unfortunately, this often means that a late Ergonomics input can become very expensive in both time and financial terms. For example, any consequent change in the design specification may require expensive and lengthy tooling changes, with all the accompanying legal requirements, material strength checks and so on. From a designer's viewpoint it may require unwelcome changes to the aesthetic of the product. Designers tend to become committed to their aesthetic at a very early stage in the design process and can feel very resentful about subsequent forced changes to their design. The corollary of this problem is, of course, how do ergonomists provide input at an appropriate time. As concurrent engineering practices become increasingly established and new technologies, such as Computer Aided Design and Virtual Reality, are introduced into the aesthetic as well as engineering design process (Porter and Kehler 1996; Botley, Porter and Newman 1997) there are good opportunities for providing an Ergonomics input into the design process at the early stages. However, it is likely that design teams also need to adopt new ways of thinking and procedures which encourage this opportunity. A problem identified by the authors, through teaching experience, is germane to this issue. The discipline of Ergonomics has produced many checklists against which it is possible to evaluate an existing product against Ergonomics criteria.

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  Stories of Modern Technology Failures and Cognitive Engineering Successes

  • Nancy J. Cooke, Frank Durso(Authors)
  • 2007(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  Psychologists and engineers who came together during WWII identi-fied their newly forged collaboration as human engineering, but the engi-neering establishment objected, and this label was replaced in some quarters by human factors and in others by engineering psychology . Despite consid-erable overlap in membership and philosophy, each developed its own insti-tutions and distinctive self-image. Meanwhile, elsewhere throughout the industrialized world, something called Ergonomics —also heavily influenced by WWII—was making noises. To some, it was just human factors with an accent; to others, it was more about designing for human physical character-istics, whereas human factors included (perhaps even focused on) the mental (cognitive) ones. More recently, a number of other specialties have emerged, all fighting for independent recognition (e.g., human–computer interaction [HCI], computer-supported collaborative work [CSCW], macroErgonomics, and cognitive engineering). Many in these latter groups consider human fac-tors a relic from the “knobs-and-dials” era, whereas those who continue to identify with it (and after a long, bitter struggle now brand it human factors and ergononics [HF/E]) naturally take exception to that characterization. And the beat goes on. I’m not suggesting that these and other specialties are just different labels for the same thing; they aren’t—there are legitimate differences. I’m simply pointing out the marketing implications. Multiple brands with subtle 110 Stories of modern technology failures and cognitive engineering successes distinctions only serve to confuse lay audiences. It’s hard to market a concept like human-centered design , which has no commonly accepted name, image, or unified constituency. Problems inherent in human factors professionals (broadly defined) Not only does the nature of our product present marketing difficulties, so too do certain characteristics of the folks on the production and distribution end.

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