Chapter 1:Introduction

1. Chapter 1:Introduction

2. Introduction to Human Factors Human Factors Ergonomics Human Engineering Engineering Psychology

3. Ergonomics/Human Factors • Ergonomics or human factors – interdisciplinary science that deals with the interaction of people and the objects they use. • Ergonomics vs. Human Factors • Human Factors is the term used in the US • Ergonomics, although used in the US, is more prevalent in Europe and the rest of the world • Sometimes the term human engineering is used or engineering psychology • Human Factors is… • not just applying checklists and guidelines • not just using oneself as the model for designing things • not just common sense

4. Human Factors Defined • Ergonomics Defined: • the study of the interaction between human beings and the objects they use and the environments in which they function (Pulat, 1997) • Human Factors discovers and applies information about human behavior, abilities, limitations, and other characteristics to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for productive, safe, comfortable, and effective human use (Sanders and McCormick, 1993) • Brief History • Beginning of human factors • Polish educator and scientist – Wojciech Jastrzebowski introduced the term “ergonomics” by combining two Greek words: ergon – meaning work; nomos – meaning laws. • K. F. H. Murrell independently in 1949 formed the same word

5. Human Factors • US History - 1945-1960 • Frank and Lillian Gilbreth during the early 1900s began their work in motion study and shop management. One of the forerunners to what was later called human factors. • At the end of WWII in 1945, engineering psychology labs were established by what was later the US Air Force and US Navy • Human Factors profession born in Europe - 1949 • In 1957: journal Ergonomics from the Ergonomics Research Society appeared; Human Factors Society was formed; Division 21 (Society of Engineering Psychology) of the American Psychological Association was organized • US History - 1960-1980 • Rapid growth of human factors outside the military-industrial complex • Membership in HF Society grew from a membership of 500 in 1960 to 3000 by 1980

6. Human Factors • US History – 1980-1990 • HF Society reaching 5000 in membership by 1990 • Expansion of computer technology • Accidents (Three Mile Island; Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India; Chernobyl) • 1990 and Beyond • FAA ordered by Congress in 1988 to expand HF research efforts • OSHA draft ergonomic regulations for general industry • Expansion to new areas: medical devices, facilities for the elderly, distributed work, internet

7. Human Machine System • Human Machine System and Types of Ergonomics Problems • Anthropometric – fit between the human and workplace • Cognitive – information processing problems (overload, underload, processing) • Musculoskeletal – problems such as strain on muscular and skeletal systems • Cardiovascular – problems that place stress on the circulatory system, including the heart • Psychomotor – problems that strain the psychomotor systems can best be dealt with redefining job requirements

8. Human Machine Systems • Types of Systems • Manual Systems – consists of hand tools and other aids coupled with the human operator who controls the operation • Mechanical Systems – consists of well-integrated physical parts such as power tools and are generally designed to perform functions with little variation • Automated Systems – system performs all operational functions with little or no human intervention Information storage Information input Output Sensing (information Receiving) Information processing and decision Action functions (physical control or communication)

9. Chapter 2: The Ergonomics Function

10. Cost of Ignoring Ergonomics • less production output • increased lost time • higher medical costs • higher material costs • increased absenteeism • low quality work • injuries, strains • increased probability of accidents and errors • increased labor turnover • less spare capacity to deal with emergencies

11. Business and Ergonomics Management UNION Administrative functions Technical functions Operating functions Fig 2.1 General functional structure industry (Pulat, 1997)

12. Business and Ergonomics • Justifying Ergonomics Projects • Productivity increase • System reliability • Social responsibility • Selling it to management • Presentation • Ergonomics Groups (size, types of work, responsibilities, available help) • Sustaining effort • develop background (credibility, education of others, information network) • return on investment • customer satisfaction • design role