Work Place Design The goal of workplace design is to provide spaces that allow people to do their jobs with maximum utility and comfort.
Workplace Height
The working height should be such that the job can be done without the back bent and with the shoulders relaxed and their natural position. Workplace Height
The general principles regarding workspace height are:
When feasible, provisions should be made for individuals to adjust the work surface height.
The work surface should be at a level that permits the arms to hang in a relaxed position from the shoulder, with the forearm usually being near horizontal or slopping down slightly.
In any event, the forearm should not be required to angle upward very far.
Workplace Height
The work-surface level should be such that it does not require excessive bending of the spine.
When working in a standing position, The things needed for the job should be within easy reach.
The height of the work table is adjusted to the height of the worker.
The worker should stand straight in front and the close up to the work table with his weight evenly distributed on both feet.
There should be enough room for his legs and feet.
Working Posture It is necessary to decide early on whether the task should be performed standing up, sitting down or in either position.
There are many factors to consider when deciding the best working posture for a task. These include the length of the task or shift, level of repetition involved, manual handling requirements and use of tools and equipment.
Working Posture People should be able to perform the task with their arms below shoulder height for the majority of the time.
All required equipment should be positioned within reach where practicable.
Prolonged lifting or load bearing should be performed between chest-height and waist-height.
Avoid excessive bending or twisting of the spine during normal task activities. Workstation Design The work area should be carefully designed with both the task and the workforce in mind.
The work station should be able to accommodate the majority of the workforce population (90%).
Anthropometric data allows designers to accommodate the differences between peoples size and shape within the workplace and ensures that the majority of the population can do the job within the environment provided. Workstation Design Such a design will reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve productivity.
APPROACHES TO DESIGN:
Designing for the extremes Designing for the average Designing for adjustability Workstation Design Designing for the extremes : This is the design to accommodate the maximum and minimum dimensions of the population.
Designing for the average: This involves making designs adjustable to fit different sized individuals. In this approach there is a trade-off with cost/complexity.
Design for the Average: In this approach, the work place is designed to suit the average person, and not be too bad for most people. PRINCIPLES OF WORKSPACE DESIGN
Use elbow height to determine work surface height. Adjust the work surface height based on the task Provide a comfortable chair Provide adjustability in the seat Encourage postural flexibility Provide Anti-fatigue mats for a standing operator Locate all tools and materials within the normal working area Fix locations for all tools and materials Use gravity bins and drop delivery Arrange everything to minimize motions
Task Design The most natural way to work is to work rhythmically. This dynamic load enables the muscles to alternate between contraction and relaxation.
If an object is lifted up and held in this position, this puts the muscles under a uniform static load.
It specifies the content of each Task and determine how work is distributed within the organization.
For an employee, motivation and job satisfaction are affected by the match between job factors and personal needs.
Objectives of Task design
The three main objectives that a manger tries to realize in specifying jobs are
1. Technical feasibility 2. Economic feasibility 3. Behavioral feasibility Technical Feasibility The person who holds the job must be capable of performing the assignment with the equipment and system available and the job must take the necessary transformation of inputs into outputs.
Economic Feasibility
-- The cost of performing the job should not be too high .
Behavioral Feasibility
-- Since a job is often more than just a set of mechanical motion to be performed ,it requires motivation and mental stimulation if it is to be performed ,successfully. Prolonged, repeated or extreme exposure to multiple WMSD risk factors can cause damage to a workers body.
Neutral is the optimal position of each joint that provides the most strength and control Awkward or unsupported postures that stretch physical limits, can compress nerves and irritate tendons Equipment Design Equipment and tools should be designed for the job being performed with the worker in mind. They must be specifically designed for right-handed and left- handed individuals.
Different Types of Tools
Impact tools Sharp edged tools Power driven hand tools 4 Factors In Ergonomic Hand Tool Design 1. Weight Hand tool should be light weight and easy-to-use. 2. Power Power tools are typically heavier and more bulky than hand tools; this added weight can be an additional source of stress/strain. 3. Handles The one aspect of tool design with the most ergonomic considerations is handle design. 4. Vibration The best way to minimize vibration in power tools is to design the tool using materials, like rubber, that help deaden vibrations
Tool Selection
For single-handle tools used for power tasks: Tool selected should feel comfortable with a handle diameter in the range of 1 1/4 inches to 2 inches. You can increase the diameter by adding a sleeve to the handle.
For single-handle tools used for precision tasks: The tool should have a handle diameter of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
For double-handle tools (pliers-like) used for power tasks: The tool should have a grip span that is at least 2 inches when fully closed and no more than 3 1/2 inches when fully open. For double-handled pinching, gripping, or cutting tools:
The tool should be with handles that are spring-loaded to return the handles to the open position.
Adding a sleeve to the tool handle pads the surface but also increases the diameter or the grip span of the handle.
The tool should be with an angle that allows you to work with a straight wrist.
Select a tool that can be used with dominant hand or with either hand.