Ergonomics of Early Christian Schools

‘’The schools should be arranged in such a manner that both teachers and the pupils can easily fulfill their duties’’

-St. La Salle

Remarkable features of Early Christian Schools

1. Pupils were expected to bring an eat their breakfast in school.

2. The lecture type is adopted. 3. Employment, deportment and

essentials of practical skills.4. Teaching French

Ergonomics is the science(and art) of fitting the work environment to the employee.The goal of ergonomics is to design jobs to fit people.

ERGONOMIC ANALYSISa. Locating the windows at least seven feet above the ground minimized distraction for the students. b. Windows at the both ends facilitated inflow and outflow of the air.c. Having different heights of benches and tables for the different heights of students is laudable.

d. With the use tables rather than chairs with arms become more comfortable for let-handed pupils.e. Slopes tables, with an angle of inclination of about 12 degrees, lessen lumbar and spinal fatigue. F. St. La Salle even made detailed specifications to ensure that the tables and benches were safe, secure and stable.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY’S SCHOOL a. Organize the program.b. Begin the correction of program that will have an immediate impact.c. Build commitment among members of the community through a series of steps (David).

Ergonomics is concerned with reduction of one or more of the following risk factors:- Awkward Posture: If a job task looks uncomfortable, it probably is and this increases the chances for injury. Excessive bending, reaching, awkward neck, back, and arm positions should be eliminated.

High RepetitionRepetition can be controlled by

using equipment to reduce repetition, allowing employees to rotate tasks, assuring adequate staffing, and ensuring employees take regular breaks away from highly repetitive tasks.

Excessive Force: The need to exert excessive force should be controlled through use of proper equipment, assuring equipment is operating properly, and getting adequate help when needed.

Contact Stresses: Contact with sharp, abrupt edges whether from a fixed piece of furniture or from a tool should be avoided.

Extreme Temperatures: Work place ambient temperature should be controlled whenever possible. we can see an ergonomic engineer would be concerned with issues of health and safety.

Vibration: Vibration can be reduced at the source through tool or equipment selection or by padding the body against vibration, e.g. padded gloves.