Chap 1

• History of Ergonomics:

  • Term originates from Greek words ergon (work or labor) and nomos (natural laws)
  • Coined by Polish scholar Wojciech Jastrzębowski in 1857
  • Relationship between labor and health first systematized by Bernardino Ramazzini in "De morbis artificum diatriba"
  • Preventive measures based on ergonomic perspective developed in the 20th century
• Definition of Ergonomics:

  • Study of human abilities and characteristics affecting design of equipment, systems, and jobs
  • Terms ergonomics and human factors can be used interchangeably
  • Scientific discipline concerned with understanding interactions among human and other elements of a system
• Development of Ergonomics:

  • Name officially proposed in 1949 by Prof. Hugh Murrell
  • Ergonomic Society formed in Britain in 1952
  • Human Factors Society formed in the United States in 1957
  • Boundaries of Ergonomics include physical, psychosocial, and technological environments
• Objectives of Ergonomics:

  • Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of work
  • Enhance desirable human values at work
  • Increase safety, comfort, decrease fatigue, stress, and increase user satisfaction
• Types of Ergonomics:

  • Physical Ergonomics:
  • Focus on physical comfort and interaction of bodies with tools
  • Includes office and physically demanding professions
  • Organizational Ergonomics:
  • Optimizes entire workplaces, teamwork, communication, and output
  • Cognitive Ergonomics:
  • Deals with mind's ability to process information and interact with data
  • Emphasizes data retention and design/visibility of safety signs
• Ergonomics is designing a job to fit the worker for safer and more efficient work
• Implementing ergonomic solutions can make employees more comfortable and increase productivity
• Ergonomics is important because stress from awkward postures, extreme temperatures, or repeated movements can affect the musculoskeletal system
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves
• Advantages of ergonomics:

  • Increased savings:
  • Fewer injuries
  • More productive and sustainable employees
  • Fewer workers' compensation claims
  • Fewer employees experiencing pain
  • Increased productivity
  • Increased morale
  • Reduced absenteeism
• Direct costs associated with injuries include medical treatment, prescription costs, and insurance premiums
• Indirect costs can include overtime, accommodation for modified duty, increased absenteeism, decreased morale, legal and investigation costs, presenteeism, replacement worker costs, advertising and recruiting, and orientation and training costs
• Risk reduction techniques:

  • Job rotation
  • Job hazard analysis
  • Selecting appropriate tools
  • Participatory ergonomics
  • Ergonomics training
  • Comprehensive ergonomics program
• A comprehensive ergonomics program should include worker involvement, management commitment, training, sustainability, and evaluation
• Ergonomic hazards are physical factors that may cause musculoskeletal injuries
• Main areas of concern for ergonomic hazards include equipment layout, manual handling, lighting, noise, systems and computer programs, task design, and workstation design
• Good work design is essential to eliminate hazards by considering health and safety during the concept and planning phases
• Correct, neutral posture is important for alignment and balance to prevent strain and injury
• Housekeeping is crucial for reducing the risk of tripping and increasing productivity
• Proper lifting techniques, planning with ergonomics in mind, power zone for lifting, proper handholds, and pushing vs. pulling are important considerations for safe lifting
• Task rotation is effective in limiting exposure to stressors and reducing the chance of injury
• Employees should be rotated between tasks that affect different parts of the body to allow for rest and recuperation