Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    1/35

    PRINCIPLES OF OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS

    ANTHROPOMETRY (BODY SIZE)

    1. Consider differences in users body size in thedesign of the workplace. Allow for different sizedusers where the fit between the equipment and useris critical.2. Decide beforehand if you need to accommodatepeople in the extremes of body size range and make

    special provision for these people in the design ofthe workplace. hen in doubt measure the standingheight of your working population to determineroughly the range of sizes that you may need toconsider. !se the appropriate anthropometric tablesfor specific populations.3. Commercially available anthropometric tables are

    useful as a guide when designing work" workplacesand equipment but they should be interpreted withcare bearing in mind the user population.

    POSTURE AND MOVEMENT

    4. #uman physical performance is optimum whenpostures and movements are dynamic and varied.5. $n general the human body moves and worksmost efficiently when %oints are in the neutral &mid'range and the muscles are around mid length. (train

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    2/35

    can occur if %oints are held in more extreme positionsover extended periods.6. (tatic muscle work tends to be more tiring than

    active muscle work even though the latter uses moreenergy. )ost stabilising postures involve staticmuscle work and this restricts the natural blood flow.. *he arms and shoulders are capable of highlyskilled and precise movements but they are notstrong and are sub%ect to in%uries when exertedexcessively or for a sustained period. (houlders areparticularly flexible but can be unstable in certainpositions. *he lower limbs have more robustmuscles for strength.!. *he spine can meet two competing physicalrequirements + rigidity and plasticity but this comesat a cost" which is to compromise strength. $t is

    therefore prone to in%ury when stressed.

    PHYSICAL "OR# LOAD

    $.Avoid sustained periods or frequent repetitions ofphysically strenuous tasks.,imit energy expenditure in a task to a reasonablelevel. A reasonable average maximum is about-//012hr for an 3 hour day.

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    3/35

    1%. ,imit duration of continuous muscular effort. *hisis especially necessary in physically demandingtasks" repetitive work and work in the heat.

    11. Avoid work in fixed or awkward postures. Alsoavoid prolonged repeated work using the samemuscle groups.12. $ncorporate frequent short breaks in the workrather than a single long one.13. 4ary tasks" postures and movements as muchas possible.14.Avoid sudden peak forces and sudden or %erkymovements.

    MENTAL "OR#LOAD (INFORMATIONPROCESSING AND DECISION MA#ING)15. 5nsure the workers skills and abilities match the

    work demands.16. 4ary tasks to avoid prolonged work onmonotonous tasks or highly concentrated tasks.1. $ncorporate appropriate rest breaks even forsedentary tasks especially when they are repetitiveor demand sustained keen attention.1!. 5nsure the work environment is optimal for the

    tasks to be completed.Avoid environmental hazards such as poor lighting"glare" excessive noise or temperature.1$. Avoid confusing or complex displays ofinformation.

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    4/35

    HUMAN ERROR

    2%.Acknowledge that all humans make errors.21. !nderstanding the types of human error isimportant when designing work so that thefrequency of errors is reduced and theconsequences of making errors is minimized.22. 5ducation" training and proper design are keyfactors that help decrease the impact of human errorat work. 6roper design to avoid mistakes" such asappropriate colour coding and easy7to7read labels" isparticularly important.23. 5mploy early detection systems to ensure errorsare identified promptly so remedial action can betaken before something goes wrong.

    MOTIVATION

    24. Different people are motivated in different ways.$t is important to match the work tasks with individualcapabilities" education" training levels and

    preferences.25. orkers should be consulted regarding anyimprovement strategies. *hese strategies should notcompromise health and safety.

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    5/35

    26. 4ary tasks and responsibilities" increaseautonomy and provide positive and constructivefeedback to counter low morale.

    STRESS

    2. (tress due to work tasks that are too demandingor lacking control by workers can have a negativeeffect on work performance" health and well7being.2!. (ymptoms of stress may be both psychologicaland physical.2$. $nterventions to decrease stress may involvechanging work organization or the work environmentand improving a workers ability to managestressors.

    FATIGUE

    3%. 8atigue is a normal part of most work" butexcessive fatigue needs to be avoided byappropriate %ob design. A tired person has to put inmore effort to achieve the same amount of work as

    someone who is not tired. *ired people are morelikely to be slower and make more errors.31. 9egular rest periods are necessary to helpprevent the onset of fatigue. *he length of the restperiods depends on many factors such as the

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    6/35

    intensity of the work" environmental conditions andthe age and capabilities of the worker.32. (ub7optimal personal" organisational" and

    environmental factors and ergonomically poordesign of equipment can induce feelings of fatigue. $tis necessary to identify key factors" such as poorsleeping arrangements" night work" working in theheat" and using equipment that is not :fit7for7purpose:.33. 6eople need to recover from mental andphysical effort. ork schedules and restarrangements need to be appropriate.

    OLDER "OR#ERS

    34.A lifetimes acquisition of knowledge" experiencein procedures and expert skills often compensate forphysiological and physical limitations in olderworkers.35. ;lder workers may not work as quickly asyounger workers in stressful working conditions such

    as those induced by noise and sleep deprivationparticularly if they are taking medication.36. Design of tasks and organization of work shouldbe modified to accommodate any limitations olderworkers may have.

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    7/35

    3. ;lder workers need and appreciate consultationand specific and careful training in new tasksespecially those related to computer7based systems.

    P&'& *+ ,-,&/,MANAGING CHANGE3!.All work problems need to be addressed withinthe context of the wider work system.3$. (uccessful change requires vision" carefulplanning with firm and on7going commitment bysenior and middle managers" workers and otherstakeholders. ;therwise" the change process will beless successful or may fail totally.4%. ,ocal problems need local solutions. $t is usefulto learn from good examples

    ;906,AC5 9$(0 )A

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    8/35

    from poor work organisation. *ake into account thecomplaints and opinions of workersin knowing what can be done to reduce the risks.

    43. $nvolve managers and workers together inseeking appropriate ergonomics improvementsmaking sure that these are monitored and evaluatedfor their effectiveness.44.As locally ad%usted solutions are needed" a workand management climate thatfacilitates change and supports workers is important.45. (olving workplace problems often requires acombination of small" incremental changesrather than a single solution to reduce the risks.*hese may not seem very impressive asindividual changes but collectively they work toreduce the risks.

    6A9*$C$6A*;9> 59=;

  • 8/12/2019 Principles of Occupational Ergonomics

    9/35

    theory and application of ergonomics.4$. 6articipatory workshops must include peoplewith a suitable mix of skills and

    knowledge about different aspects of the work underreview. *his includesergonomics and occupational health and safetyexpertise where necessary.5%. 5ffective workplace communication is essentialin all areas of ergonomics.

    *ask design1;? (A*$(8AC*$;