Bahir Dar Institute of technology
Faculty of Mechanical and industrial
Engineering
Department of Industrial Engineering
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS:IEng4142
Habtam.M
Part one: Introduction to Ergonomics
1.1.What is ergonomics ?
The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words:
ERGO: meaning work
NOMOS: meaning laws
Therefore, ergonomics is the law of work.
Ergonomics is a science focused on the study of human fit, and
decreased fatigue and discomfort through( e.g product design, work
station design.)
Ergonomics is commonly defined as a scientific study focused on
the relationship between man, machine and environment.
Meaning of Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with:
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.
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather
than physically forcing the worker’s body to fit the job.
The application of ergonomics principles to workstation design can result in
increased effectiveness, work quality, health and safety and job satisfaction.
Understanding Ergonomics
Dimension of workstations <<
worker’s body dimensions.
Ergonomics puts people first,
taking into account their
capabilities and limitations.
Ergonomics can contribute to
human well-being in terms of
safety, health, and comfort.
Fitting the job to the worker
When job fit the user, the result
can be more comfort, higher
productivity, and less stress.
Ergonomics is defined as:
the design of:
workplace,
equipment,
machine,
tool,
product,
environment,
and system,
considering human’s capabilities and optimizing effectiveness
and productivity of work systems while assuring safety, health,
and wellbeing of workers.
- Safety Work systems:
- Health -Effectiveness and
-Wellbeing of workers - Productivity
Assuring
Ergonomics Optimizing
Is
Design of:
- workplace Human’s capabilities like:
- Equipment - Physical
- Physiological
- Machine/ tool
Considering - Biomechanical
- Product
- Psychological
-Environment and
- System
1.2. Historical background of Ergonomics
• Ergonomics developed into a recognized field during the Second World War,
• Physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, scientists and
engineers worked together to address the problems arising from the operation of
complex military equipment.
• Interest in the approach grew rapidly, especially in Europe and the United States,
leading to the foundation in England of the first ever national ergonomics society in
1949, which is when the term ‘ergonomics’ was adopted.
• This was followed in 1961 by the creation of the International Ergonomics
Association (IEA), which at present represents ergonomics societies which are
active in 40 countries or regions, with a total membership of some 20, 000 people.
Why do we need Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is used to prevent injuries and illness.
Examples of risk factors that can cause discomfort, fatigue, injury and
illness are:
Stretching to reach/Arms Extended
Repeated heavy lifting/Frequent Hand Use
Using High pinch force/ manipulating heavy loads
Working with hands above shoulder
Handling objects which are sharp, very hot or cold
Static body posture
Noise, vibration
Bending and twisting
Examples on: Risk Factors
Effects on the Operator Effects on the Company
Fatigue Poor Quality
Absenteeism
Pain
Higher costs
Illness – sprains, back Higher employee turnover &
ache, etc training
Low morale
Frustration & Irritation
THE BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICS
Greater job satisfaction
Higher productivity
Lower medical & insurance costs
Higher Quality
Reduced lost time
Reduced operator injury
Lower absenteeism
Increased morale
Less employee turnover
1.3. Ergonomics Approaches
According to IEA (International Ergonomics Association),
ergonomics is broadly divided into three domains:-
1.Physical ergonomics: is concerned with human
anatomical(study of the structure of human),
anthropometric(study of human body dimension),
physiological(study of the normal functions ) and
biomechanical(study of the physical mov’t & structure)
characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Typical examples of physical ergonomics interventions include:-
Designing of a workstation to allow the proper height and
reach to perform the task.
Selecting a tool with a handle design that reduces awkward
postures for the application.
Reducing unnecessary tasks and movements to increase
efficiency or decrease errors.
Tilting and lifting containers to bring work to a proper height
and increase efficiency.
2. Cognitive ergonomics: is concerned with mental processes,
such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as
these affect interactions among humans and other elements of a
system.( eg. human computer interaction, mental workload,
decision making)
3. Organizational ergonomics: is concerned with the
optimization of socio-technical systems, including their
organizational structures, policies, and processes.
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with topics such
as:
communication,
work design,
Teamwork,
resource management,
shift work, safety culture, job satisfaction, and
motivation.
How groups of people interact with each other in a work
environment is the core of macro ergonomics.
1.4. Ergonomics system Dimensions
People
Tasks
Tools/Equipment
Workplace Design
Work Environment
Work culture
Work Organizations
Work culture
1. People:- consider concepts about physical capacities,
psychological drivers, expectations and individual differences.
2. Task Analysis:- considers or explains performance measures,
quality requirements & what, how, when in details.
3. Tools & Equipment:- considers design of tools to suit
(Persons and Tasks).
4. Workplace design:- focuses about layout of workplace,
workstation design, adjustability / adaptability ,storage and
transport of items.
5. Work Environment:- Justify about physical, psychological,
chemical and biological performance of organizations.
6. Work Organization:- consider the activities of job design,
team based requirements, working hours / shift work, rest
breaks and task specialization.
7. Workplace culture:- describes about management
commitment / leadership, communication / consultation
processes and feedback / performance management.
Ergonomics Vs. Human Factors
Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics.
HF is the term used to describe the interaction of individuals
with each other, with facilities and equipment, and with
management systems.
This interaction is influenced by both the working environment
and the culture of the people involved.
HF-analysis focuses on how these interactions contributes
towards the creation of safe workplace.
Human Factors/Ergonomics
Methods Engineering vs. Ergonomics
Emphasis in Methods Engineering Emphasis in Ergonomics and HF
Efficiency Safety
Cost reduction Comfort
Labor reduction Interaction between human and
Workplace layout equipment
Facility layout Workplace environment
Elimination of waste Fitting the work to the individual
“One best way” Reduction of human errors
Accident avoidance
The focus of ergonomics
• The focus is on the interaction between the person and the
machine, and the design of the interface between the two
(Figure below).
• When faced with productivity problems:
Engineers might call for better machines,
Personnel management might call for better-trained
people.
Ergonomists call for a better interface and better
interaction between the user and the machine – better
task design- increased outputs/productivity.
Human-Machine Systems
Basic model in ergonomics
Defined as a combination of humans and equipment
interacting to achieve some desired result/output
Types of human-machine systems:
1. Manual systems
2. Automated systems
Human-Machine Interactions
System Components
1. The human
2. The equipment
3. The environment
1. Human Components
– Human senses - to sense the operation
• Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
– Human brain - for information processing
• Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions,
solving problems
– Human effectors - to take action
• Fingers, hands, feet, and voice
2. Machine Components
– The process – function or operation performed by human-
machine system
– Displays - to observe the process
• Direct observation for simple processes
• Artificial displays for complex processes
– Controls - to actuate and regulate the process
• Eg. Steering wheel, computer keyboard, control panel( for
operation and emergency controls)
3.Environmental Components
• Physical environment
– Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and
humidity
• Social environment
– Co-workers and colleagues at work
– Immediate supervisors
– Organizational culture
