Wallaga University
Faculty of Technology
Department of Industrial Engineering
Introduction to Ergonomics and
Industrial Safety
Chapter one
ByDereje Gem. ([Link].)
1 2017 E.C
1. Introduction to Ergonomics
1.1 Historical background of ergonomics
⚫ Ergonomics starts in the context of the culture of
ancient Greece.
⚫ In 1700s, Ramazzini study of ill-effects of poor posture &
poorly designed tools on the health of workers
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⚫ In 1800s, Taylor develops methods &tools to reduce
work fatigue.
⚫ In 1920s and 1930s, Frank and Gilbreth provide the
foundation for the science of Ergonomics.
⚫ In 1949, discipline of ergonomics emerged in Great
Britain.
⚫ In 1960s and 1970s, ergonomics became familiar
study in IE.
⚫ In late 1970s, it was recognized as a multidisciplinary
field at Michigan University
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⚫ Since the beginning of the history of ergonomics around 1950,
society and technology have developed tremendously, and HFE
has followed [Link] following can characterize the
development over the last 50 years.
⚫ 1950s: Military ergonomics
⚫ 1960s: Industrial ergonomics
⚫ 1970s: Consumer products ergonomics
⚫ 1980s: Human-computer interaction and software ergonomics
⚫ 1990s: Cognitive ergonomics and organization ergonomics
⚫ •2000s: Global communication, internet, and virtual
collaboration
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⚫ Foundations of ergonomic science observed in
Ancient
Greece
- Hippocrates
- Egyptian Dynasties
• Term coined duringWorldWar II by Hywel
Murell
• Continued with the space age
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1.2 What is Ergonomics
The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words:
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❑ According to the IEA(International Ergonomics
Association ), ergonomics is the scientific discipline
concerned with understanding of interactions among
humans and other elements of the system, and the
profession that applies theory, principles, data and
methods to design, in order to optimize human well
being and overall system performance.
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⚫ Ergonomics is defined as the
science the art of fitting the job
and the work places to the
worker.
✓ Use your brain, not your back.
✓ Work smarter, not harder.
✓ Fix the job, not the worker
▪ Fitting the Human
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➢ Ergonomics Main focus is the safety of the person
➢ Factors:
✓ Body posture and movement
✓ Environmental factors
✓ Work Organization
➢ An applied scientific discipline concerned with how humans
interact with tools and equipment they use while
performing tasks
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Ergonomic focus
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⚫ Ergonomics can be an integral part of design,
manufacturing, and use. Knowing how the study
of anthropometry, posture, repetitive motion,
and workspace design affects the user is critical to
a better understanding of ergonomics as they
relate to end-user needs.
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Con….
The Goal of Ergonomics : is to make the work fit the
operator, not make the operator fit the work.
Human Machine
Work Environment
Utmost Goal: “Humanization” of Work
Design with “E & E”: Ease and Efficiency
1.3 Basic aims of ergonomics
⚫ Greater ease of interaction b/n user and machine
⚫ Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of equipment
⚫ Reduce stress and fatigue
⚫ Safer operation
⚫ Avoid accidents and injuries
⚫ Efficiency in purposeful activity
⚫ To achieve desired result without
⚫ Waste
⚫ Error
⚫ Damage to persons
⚫ Working situation in harmony with worker activities
1.4 Difficulties in achieving ergonomics aims
➢ Human operator is flexible and adaptable
➢ Large individual differences
➢ Obvious differences: -->Physical size, strength
➢ Not obvious differences --> Culture, style, level of skill
➢ Thus a systematic approach and theory are necessary.
There should be measurable objectives to be checked
and remedial action to be taken.
➢ A detailed study of the science of ergonomics provides
these approaches and theories
1.5 Human Factor and Engineering factor
Human Factors Engineering
⚫ Physical and mental work capacity ⚫ Industrial design
⚫ Fatigue ⚫ Work place design
⚫ Body forces, strength and posture ⚫ Product design
⚫ Body sizes
⚫ Furniture design
⚫ Thermal comfort/ heat stress/cold
stress ⚫ Machine design
⚫ Vision ⚫ Ventilation
⚫ Hearing ⚫ Lighting
⚫ Perception ⚫ Acoustics
⚫ Information processing ⚫ Engineering control (Chemical &
⚫ Performance and efficiency Physical)
⚫ Decision making ⚫ Building orientation
⚫ Adaptation and rehabilitation ⚫ Maintenance
⚫ Behavior &social relations
1.6 FPJ Vs FJP
1.6.1 Fitting the Person to the Job (FPJ)
⚫ Common philosophy prior to ergonomics
⚫ Considers worker’sphysicaland mental aptitudes
(skills) in employment decisions
⚫ Psychometrictesting (e.g., tests for intelligence and
personality characteristics)
⚫ For example, using worker size and strength as criteria
for physical work
⚫ FPJ is still important
⚫ For example, educational requirements for technical
positions
1.6.2 Fitting the Job to the Person (FJP)
⚫ Ergonomics follow and opposite of FPJ
⚫ Philosophy: design the job so that any member of the work
force can perform it
⚫ Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:
⚫ Changes in worker skill requirements
⚫ Today, since workers are much more educated, companies spend time
to train the new workforce
⚫ Demographic changes (e.g. more women in workforce, recruiting fewer
people of youths)
⚫ Social and political changes (e.g., equal opportunity laws, trade unions,
collective bargaining)
⚫ Hiring handicapped worker is encouraged by laws.
1.7 Benefits of an ergonomic
⚫ Decreased injuries, illnesses, and workers’
compensation costs.
⚫ Increased efficiency at work - productivity.
⚫ Increased physical well being – work satisfaction.
⚫ Decreased absenteeism and turnover.
⚫ Increase in employee morale.
⚫ Higher Quality
⚫ Lower medical &insurance costs
⚫ Reduced lost time
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1.8 Ergonomics Approaches
⚫ According to IEA, ergonomics broadly divide into three
domains:
1. Physical ergonomics
✓ is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric,
physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they
relate to physical activity.
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⚫ are concerned with the
interaction of the body with the
equipment and the tools, starting
right from the chair to the
computer.
⚫ It also studies its effect on the
body, for example, repetitive
disorder, workplace safety, health
and layout, musculoskeletal
disorder and posture
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1. 8.2 Cognitive ergonomics
⚫ Cognitive science is the INTERDISCIPLINARY scientific
study of mind and its processes.
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It is concerned with mental processes, such as
perception, memory, reasoning, and motor
response, as they affect interactions among
humans and other elements of a system.
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⚫ Cognitive Science can be used to analyze, describe,
predict, or even correct, augment, if not create minds.
Some specific applications are:
❑ Human-Computer Interaction
Cognitive Science could lead to
more effective and efficient
Human Computer Interaction
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1.8.3 Organizational ergonomics
⚫ It is concerned with the optimization of socio-
technical systems, including their organizational
structures, policies, and processes
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⚫ Organizational
ergonomic works on
complete optimization of
the workplace, right from
quality management to
teamwork.
⚫ It includes managing
everything in the
organization to make it a
better place to work.
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1.9 Ergonomics system Dimensions
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⚫ People consider points about physical capacities, psychological
drivers, expectations and individual differences.
⚫ Task Analysis considers points about performance measures,
quality requirements &what, how, when details.
⚫ Tools & Equipment considers points about design of tools to suit
(Persons andTasks).
⚫ Workplace design consider points about layout of workplace,
workstation design, adjustability / adaptability and storage /
transport of items.
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⚫ Work Environment considers points about physical,
psychological, chemical and biological.
⚫ Work Organization consider points about job design, team
based requirements, working hours / shift work, rest breaks and
task specialization.
⚫ Workplace culture consider points about management
commitment / leadership, communication / consultation
processes and feedback / performance management.
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Noise
Vibration
Physical Illumination
Climate
Ventilation
Toxic gases
Chemical Toxic liquids
Odors
Chemical compounds
Working
Environment Fungus
Bacteria
Biological
Viruses
Insects
Team work
Command structure
Pay and welfare
Psychological Shift work
Risk & Stress
Socio-psychological aspects
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⚫ Effects of poor Ergonomics
✓ Discomfort
✓ Accidents and injuries
✓ Fatigue
✓ Errors
✓ Illness
✓ Annoyance
✓ Productivity down
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THANK YOU…!!
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