1.

Ergonomics has expanded as a discipline in its own right over the past 50 years and there is often overlap between what ergonomists and work psychologists do. Simply put, ergonomics has evolved to be concerned with:

Your Answer:design of whole systems of work.

2.

There is a wider context to design than just the equipment itself. The user, task requirements, organisation and even the environmental context are all involved in effective ergonomic design. One approach to characterising the wider context of design is known as:

Your Answer:the Human Factor Interaction model.

Correct Answer: the Five M's model.

  The human user, equipment (machine), task (mission), physical environment (medium), societal environment (also medium), and management become the five M's model.

3.

According to ergonomics, all design has identifiable stages and will differ according to the situation but will invariably cover issues such as:

Your Answer:detailed design.

Correct Answer: all of the above.

  The stage missing relates to the original concept formulation and requirements analysis which identifies the need for the equipment, what it would be used for, and the requirements for its commissioning.

4.

Specifying the requirements for new equipment involves asking what are the skills, knowledge and abilities required to use it, and also what operational and organisational context it will be used in. To deal with these issues, an early human-centred design task is to produce:

Your Answer:target audience description.

5.

In specifying user and organisational requirements, the task itself needs to be deconstructed. Hierarchical task analysis (HTA) is a well-known technique and can be used to deconstruct large tasks into levels of sub-tasks. It is functional in identifying what people do and identifying the skills they need to decide what to do next. However, the modern workplace may not be suited to HTA, why?

Your Answer:HTA is of limited use where jobs are cognitive in nature

6.

In the design and evaluation of human-machine interface against a user's requirements, the evaluation falls into two distinct stages: formative and summative evaluation. Which of the following are suitable approaches for gathering information for summative evaluation?

Your Answer:Experimental approaches as these are the most sophisticated methods available

Correct Answer: None of the below

  Think it through carefully and you will that these techniques apply to formative evaluation. Summative evaluation is the evaluation of the whole system in (or very close to) its final form so the tasks being evaluated should be representative of the task in operation.

. Ergonomics is a body of knowledge concerned with:

A. Human abilitiesB. Design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environmentsC. Fitting the job or task to the personD. All of the above

2. Which of the following would not be considered a physical work characteristic?

A. A drillB. A 300-pound supervisorC. A bushel of potatoes in a produce warehouseD. A workplace temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit

3. The greater the match between worker capabilities and task demands:

A. The greater the chance of worker injury/illnessB. The lower the chance of worker injury/illness

C. Has no impact on chance of worker injury/illnessD. The greater the chance of being exposed to high risk jobs

4. Maximum isometric strength capacity frequently is used to evaluate the risk of performing a job because:

A. At slow motions, maximum isometric strength is very similar to maximum isotonic strengthB. Maximum strength capability through a range of motion has not been measured by isokinetic dynamometersC. At all speeds of motion, maximum isometric strength is the same as maximum isokinetic strengthD. A prediction based on an isometric strength test better approximates actual performance of a dynamic task than a prediction based on a dynamic strength test

5. Psychophysical experiments from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company have determined the maximum acceptable weight or force for:

A. Lifting, lowering, carrying, and hammering tasksB. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and female wrist flexion and extension tasksC. Lifting, lowering, walking, and pulling tasksD. Lifting, driving, and pushing and pulling tasks

6. The calculation output of the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation is:

A. The compressive force through the L5/S1 discB. The Recommended Weight Limit and Lifting IndexC. The Acceptable Weight for Carry TasksD. The low back moment of the lift

7. Engineering controls involve:

A. Workplace policy, procedures, and practices that minimize the exposure of workers to risk conditionsB. A change in the physical features of the workplaceC. Application of proper personal protective equipmentD. Medical management

8. Examples of administrative controls include all except:

A. Rest breaksB. Rotating workers through different jobsC. Installation of an adjustable height keyboard trayD. An effective tool maintenance program

9. Four commonly recognized computer workstation postures are:

A. Sitting, standing on both feet, standing with one foot resting, reclinedB. Standing, sitting tilted forward, sitting upright, sitting tilted backC. Standing forward, laying down, sitting up, sitting on kneesD. Sitting with arms supported, standing with no arm support, seated with foot support, seated with no foot support

10. Which of the following could be considered an engineering control for an office ergonomics hazard:

A. Implementing a stretching programB. Switching to a chair with greater adjustability C. Implementing a pre-work screening processD. Purchasing wrist braces

To learn more about ergonomics see Ergoweb’s Training section.

Answers: 1.D 2.B 3.B 4.A 5.B 6.B 7.B 8.C 9.B 10.B