Introduction to Ergonomics

1. Introduction to Ergonomics ENM426 Mümtaz S. ERDEM 2004

2. Industrial Engineering Industrial Engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of PEOPLE, materials, information, equipment and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems.

3. Ergonomics Ergonomicsis a multidisciplinary activity that assembles information on people’s capacities and applies that information in designing jobs, products, workplaces, and equipment.

4. Ergonomics • “Ergo” ~ Greek word meaning “work” • “Nomos” ~ . . . “laws” Introduced into literature in the 1840’s by Polish educator and scientist Jastrzebowski Wojciech.

5. Philosophy of Ergonomics “Fit The Task To The Person”

6. Ergonomics Activities • Worker / Workplace Accommodation • Physiological Stress Prevention • Environmental Stress Prevention • Equipment design • Error Minimization

7. Factors Influencing Ergonomics • Occupational Safety & Health Legislation • Equal Employment Opportunity • Product Liability Litigation • Quality of Life Expectations • Responsible & Concerned Management

8. Current Emphasis in Ergonomics • Workplace Design • Musculoskeletal Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) Prevention • Manual Materials Handling (MMH) • Noise Control • Legislation & Regulations

9. Citing Ergonomics Violations • General Duty Clause: Each employer has the “general duty” to furnish each of his employees employment and places of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

10. Types of Ergonomics • Physical- Concerned with physical interfaces including workplace and tool design • Informational-Concerned with information interfaces and transfer • Organizational-Concerned with the design of organizations, jobs and activities (aka as “macroergonomics” where large organizations or entities are concerned

11. How do you apply Ergonomics? • Primarily, by changes in the design of workplace or work area. • Education & Training • Proactively: Ensure that any new equipment, tool, or products brought into the workplace are designed with adjustability in mind. • Same thought for product design changes, workstation modification, and methods.

12. Examples of Ergonomic Designs • Angled soldering iron • Bent-handle pliers • Paint brush with pistol-grip handle • Meat-cutting knife with pistol-grip handle • Adjustable chair • Adjustable computer workstation • Writing instruments

13. Examples of Ergonomic Designs • Assembly line that flips automobile onto its side • Moon-cut workstation • Automobile control panel • Adjustable-height conveyor belt • Adjustable computer keyboard • Many, many others!

14. Secret of Ergonomics “Adjustability”

16. Primary Techniques of Ergonomics • Methods Analysis / Design • Workplace Design • Equipment Design • Tool Design • Operator Assignments Note: Basic understanding of industrial engineering, biomechanics, psychology, and physiology, underlying these techniques.

17. Current Focus in Occupational Ergonomics • Musculoskeletal CTDs - Of lower back - Of upper extremities such as * Neck * Shoulders * Arms * Hands

18. Benefits of Ergonomics • Improved safety and health • Increased productivity • Increased operator acceptance • Improved attitude toward change • Lower worker’s compensation premiums

19. What’s Stopping Ergonomics? • Negative attitudes • “Ownership” conflicts • Omission from engineers’ training • “Quick-fix” focus • Costs too much!!!

21. Biggest Problem of All --- ! Designing for the “Average Person” --- Whoever they may be !!!

22. Ownership Conflicts • Safety Vs.. Human Resources • Human Resources Vs.. Medical • Medical Vs.. Safety • Engineering Vs.. All of the Above

23. Training of Engineers • Engineers are not taught ergonomics at universities • Fixation is on “things,” not on people • Often times, engineers are assigned ergonomics responsibilities, simply because they have a technical background

24. Quick-Fix Focus

25. Ergonomics Costs too Much!

26. Fixing Existing Problems Typical Return on Savings Associated with Ergonomic Improvements is $4 for every $1 Invested

27. Eliminating Potential Problems Addressing Ergonomic concerns in the design & acquisition stage can return as much as $10 of savings for every $1 invested

28. Summary • Ergonomics isn’t new • Fit task or work area to people • Ergonomics is accomplished by design changes • Ergonomics is stopped by several factors • Contributions come from many fields • Quantifiable benefits associated with it • Ergonomic projects pay for themselves rapidly

29. Questions & Comments

30. HUMAN FACTORS ENG.ERGONOMY ENM426 • 2 DÖNEM ÖDEVİ(%15 ve % 10)= %25 • İkişer kişilik gruplar ve uygulama yeri seçimi(son tarih:5 .10.2012 • Bir iş ortamı (fab. Hast. Vbg.) ergonomik etüdü.(Fiziksel Risk Etmenleri) Aynı işyerinde kullanılan bir makinanın gözlemlenen veya anket yoluyla işgörenden alınan bilgilerle tespit edilen Ergonomik eksikleri ve düzeltici önlem tasarım raporu. Tarih 25.12.2012 • 2002 ve üzeri yılı baz alınarak taranacak 10 ve üstü makaleden seçilecek en iyi örneğin anlatıldığı bir uygulama. • Onay alındıktan sonra yorumlanacak… (anladığınız şekilde yorumlanacak) Tarih 13 .11.2012 • 1 Ara sınav: % 30 Laboratuar:% 5 • Dönem sonu Sınavı; % 40