| Ergonomics, or "human factors", is the science of | | | | the mind and the body. Attempts to reduce the |
| designing equipment, the workplace and even the | | | | phenomenon of "pilot error" by the U.S. Army led |
| job to fit the worker. It covers a broad spectrum | | | | to changes in the layout and design of cockpit |
| of factors that make up the fit between humans | | | | interiors and the theories behind the changes |
| and work. Ergonomic research enables designers | | | | spread to other branches of the armed forces. |
| to create equipment better suited to the human | | | | The information age put different demands on |
| form so that it puts less stress on the body, as | | | | ergonomic research with everything from |
| well as controlling external factors such as light, | | | | computers, mice, chairs, joysticks and more |
| temperature and noise so workers can be at their | | | | needing to be designed. A high profile example of |
| most productive for longer. | | | | ergonomic designing improving the HCI of a |
| Ergonomics also covers the presentation of | | | | games console is the Wii remote control, |
| information to the worker. By studying the way | | | | specifically designed to be simple to use, easy to |
| the data is presented, ergonomic researchers can | | | | hold and not tiring to use. |
| improve the presentation, recognition and | | | | How does egonomics improve Health and Safety |
| retention of the information being presented. | | | | in the workplace? |
| The five main principles of ergonomics are: | | | | Ergonomics in the workplace can reduce the |
| - safety | | | | potential for accidents, injury and ill health and |
| - comfort | | | | improve productivity and performance. Accidents |
| - ease of use | | | | can be reduced by through better design of |
| - productivity and performance | | | | controls. If, for example, a switch on a control |
| - aesthetics | | | | board is switched on accidentally it may mean the |
| These principles can be broken down into three | | | | switch should be moved to prevent accidental |
| areas: | | | | operation. This is ergonomics in action. |
| Physical ergonomics | | | | Ill health or injury can be prevented by ensuring |
| Physical ergonomics is concerned with the way | | | | there is adequate lighting in all areas and that such |
| the body interacts with the workers' tools | | | | lighting does not cause glare or causes eye strain |
| (anything from shovels to chairs to personal | | | | due to low light levels. If, for example, an |
| computers) and their effects on the body such as | | | | operator's mouse is positioned too far away and |
| posture, musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive | | | | requires repeated streaching movements to reach |
| disorders, workplace layout and workplace health | | | | then this could lead to Repetitive Strain Injuries |
| and safety. | | | | (RSI). Re-arranging the operator's work area so |
| Cognitive Ergonimics | | | | the mouse and other frequently used items are |
| Cognitive Ergonomics relates to the way the mind | | | | within easy reach can prevent such injuries. A |
| processes information it is presented with and | | | | computer operator's chair must also be adjustable |
| associated motor functions, memory usage, | | | | to the correct height for the operator to prevent |
| decision-making and other mental workloads. | | | | hunching, should provide lumbar or lower back |
| Study of these factors and the interation | | | | supportand enable the operator to sit at a |
| between humans and the data presentation can | | | | comfortable distance from the screen and |
| improve everything from the placement of signs, | | | | keyboard. |
| the visibilty and recognition and retention of the | | | | Ergonomic principles even extend to a worker's |
| data and areas such as Human Computer | | | | shift patterns. Shifts should have enough time |
| Interaction (HCI) to improve everything from | | | | betwen them to enable the worker to recover |
| operating systems to websites. | | | | fully, attend to domestic responsibilities and |
| Organizational Ergonomics | | | | prevent workers from doing excessive overtime. |
| Organizational Ergonomics is concerned with | | | | This means workers are rested, alert, and less |
| optimizing the workplace, everything from | | | | likely to have an accident or fall ill. |
| teamwork to assessing teleworking and quality | | | | There are several ways you can identify an |
| management. | | | | ergonomic problem, from simple observation and |
| Ergonomics was pioneered by the Greeks but | | | | common sense through to risk assessments or |
| was transformed into a science by Frederick | | | | simple checklists. We recommend several |
| Winslow Taylor in the late 19th Century when he | | | | methods are used to cover all eventualities. |
| pioneered his "Scientific Management" method to | | | | If you think you have identified an ergonomic |
| discover the most efficient method for carrying | | | | problem there are several things you should do to |
| out a specified task. Using his method, Taylor set | | | | solve it. |
| out to discover the optimum way to shovel coal | | | | - Look for causes and solutions. Minor alterations |
| by experimenting with shovels of incrementally | | | | could make a big difference and do not need to |
| reduced size and weight until the fastest shovelling | | | | be expensive. |
| rate was achieved. In the early 1900s these | | | | - Talk to employees and take suggestions from |
| methods were expanded into "time and motion | | | | them. The workers actually performing the task |
| studies" which help to eliminate unneccessary | | | | usually have the best insights into how a job can |
| steps in a given process. | | | | be improved. |
| Ergonomics took another leap forward during | | | | - Ask a qualified ergonomics expert. |
| World War II as the demands on the human body | | | | - Consult the HSE website for guidance material |
| from the first real mechanised war took it's toll on | | | | on ergonomics. |