| What is Ergonomics and why should I know about | | | | but on these both. The manufacturer as well as |
| it? Well this is a question to be asked to yourself | | | | the end user will benefit if Physical Ergonomics is |
| if you are a services provider or a manufacturer. | | | | applied efficiently. For the manufacturer this is a |
| Ergonomics is designing products, services or | | | | win - win situation as the company benefits from |
| environment based on the human needs, | | | | the benefits derived from process optimisation as |
| behaviour or usage. Following are the 5 important | | | | well as a good quality & easy to use product. |
| dimensions which better define Ergonomics - | | | | Cognitive Ergonomics is concerned with the |
| 1. Ease of Use - Products are designed to ensure | | | | emotional & motor responses of the worker |
| that the user finds no or little difficulty in using and | | | | as well as the user. This includes perception, |
| handling it. | | | | motor responses, work load, stress etc. It is |
| 2. Performance - Products are designed to alter | | | | always advisable to apply both, the Physical and |
| their performance based on the user's need. | | | | Cognitive Ergonomics instead of any one. |
| 3. Aesthetics | | | | If you are a manufacturer and want to optimise |
| 4. Comfort | | | | your product and processes, you can either hire |
| 5. Safety | | | | an employee or go for independent consulting |
| Though there are three broad types of | | | | firms. It is always advisable to get the consulting |
| Ergonomics which are accepted, the most | | | | firms specialising in Ergonomics to do the job. This |
| important ones for manufacturers are - Physical | | | | is because of the vast experience and expertise |
| and Cognitive Ergonomics. | | | | these companies carry across industries. |
| Physical ergonomics is concerned with a human | | | | Ergonomics being a highly specialised discipline, |
| being's physical interaction with a particular product | | | | requires skill sets which are developed in a |
| while using (consuming), handling or actually | | | | company or a person over a period of time. |
| producing it. A manufacturer should design the | | | | There are a few good Australian companies which |
| process as well as the workplace in such a way | | | | provide such services to companies in Australia as |
| that the worker is comfortable working there | | | | well as across the globe. One such company is |
| leading to increased productivity, low safety risk, | | | | Design Industry which is a leading company in this |
| better quality as well as reduction in production | | | | field and has experience across industries such as |
| cost. This dimension of Physical ergonomics will | | | | banking, consumers, medicine, sports and many |
| benefit the Manufacturer. But the other benefit | | | | others. They have a team of highly creative as |
| which will be derived would be a product which is | | | | well as scientific members which is a rare |
| easy to use and relates to the end user. Physical | | | | combination but an ideal one for this job! |
| Ergonomics should not focus on just one factor | | | | |