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What is Ergonomics

What Ergonomics Does

Names for the Discipline

The Ergonomic Knowledge Base

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adapts the human-made world to the peopleinvolved because it focuses on the human asthe most important component of our

technological systems

the study of human characteristics for the

appropriate design of the living & work

environment

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Among the Basic Disciplines are as follows:

a. Psychology

b. Cognitive Science

c. Physiology

d. Biomechanics

e. Applied Physical Anthropometry

f. Industrial Systems Engineering

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The Engineering Systems to be developed

must:

--- range from the use of a simple tool by

a consumer to a multi-person, socio-

technical system

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The Ergonomics Specialists involved in the systemdesign process:

--- united by a singular perspective on (that)

process

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--- design begins with an understanding of theusers role in overall system performance & that

system exist to serve their users, whether they are

consumers, system operators, production workers,

or maintenance crews

(this user-oriented design philosophy

acknowledges human variability as a designparameter)

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Resultant Design:incorporates features that take

advantage of unique human capabilities as

well as build in safeguards to avoid or

reduce the impact of unpredictable human

error

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How to measure Success:--- by improved productivity,

efficiency, & safety

--- acceptance of the resultant system

design

--- improved quality of human life

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Hierarchy of Goals in Ergonomics:

1. To generate tolerable working conditions that donot pose known dangers to human life or health.

2. To generate acceptable conditions upon which thepeople involved can voluntarily agree.

3. To generate optimal conditions which are so welladapted to human characteristics, capabilities, &desires, that physical, mental & social well-being is

achieved.

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The Fundamental Goal of Ergonomics:--- all human-made tools, devices,

equipment, machines, & environments

should advance, directly or indirectly, the

safety, well-being, & performance of human

beings

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The Utmost Goal of ergonomics:the humanization of work

may be symbolized by the E & E of ease &efficiency, for which all technological systems &

their elements should be designed

(such design requires knowledge of the

characteristics of the people involved, particularly

of their dimensions, their capabilities, & their

limitations)

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Two Distinct Aspects of Ergonomics:1. Study, research, & experimentation, in which we

determine specific human traits & characteristics

that we need to know for engineering design.

2. Application & engineering, in which we design

tools, machines, shelter, environments, work

tasks, & job procedures, to fit & accommodate the

humans.

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January 13 & 14,

1950

February 16, 1950

British researchers met in

Cambridge, England to discuss

the name of a new society to

represent their activities

among others, the term

ergonomics was proposed

Ergonomics was formally

accepted as the name of the

new society at its council

meeting

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1956

in US, a group of personsconvened to establish a formal

society

the name ergonomics wasrejected & instead humanfactors was selected

often, the word engineeringis added or substituted to

indicate applications

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ERGONOMICS

HUMAN FACTORS

Origin, Developments, and Application of Ergonomics