ERGONOMICS

A study of human abilities and

characteristics which affect the design
of equipments, systems and jobs.
 Ergonomics deals with the interaction between
human and machine in the work environment.

 It aims at building an optimal relationship

between people and their work environment.

 Derived from Greek words “Ergon” meaning

‘Work’ and “Nomikos” meaning ‘Law’.
 Aim of Ergonomics
The aim of ergonomics is to enhance
functional effectiveness while maintaining or
improving human welfare.

While operators must perform their job in

the most efficient manner possible, they must
also be protected against undue physical,
biological and psychological strain.
Aim of Ergonomics (Contd…)

 To improve efficiency thereby increasing

productivity.
 To reduce operator’s fatigue.
 To improve comfort while on the job.
 To improve safety levels.
 Factors of Ergonomic Study
 Anthropometry: Body measurement
Work space design
Equipment/system design
 Environmental Factors:
Temperature
Humidity
Illumination/Lighting
Noise and vibration
Ventilation
 Work Place Design
 Working tables and benches should be
adjustable
 Organization of the Work Place

 Picking and placing of components should be

simplified and shortened.
Ergonomic recommendations are based
on the following factors:
 Anthropometric data of operators

 The nature of job

 An effective work place design must
satisfy the following criteria:
 Human compatibility- An anthropometric match
between the user and the workstation
 Work station reliability and safety
 Removing unnecessary movements
 Increased safety levels
 Training on how to use the workstation efficiently
 Allow good working posture
 Enhance the operator’s performance.
Optimum
Working Area
 Working Height
When working in a standing position it is important that:
 The things that are needed for the job are within easy reach
 The height of the working table is adjusted to the height of the
worker, so that the working surface is in level with the elbows when
standing with the back straight and the shoulders relaxed
 The worker should stand straight in front of and close to the work
table with his weight evenly distributed on both feet.
 The working height may be changed as per the nature of work
 Controls such as levers, switches, etc., should be lower than shoulder
height
 The surface that the worker is standing on should be suitable for the
working conditions
 Proper footwear reduced strain on the back and legs.
Working Height
Equipment Design
 Occupational Safety and Health
Organization
 Recognize the importance of the employer’s responsibilities for
ensuring that the workplace is safe and without risk to workers’
health.
 Adopt an occupational safety and health policy that provides for the
establishment of a good occupational safety and health organization
within an enterprise
 Encourage strong participation of workers in safety and health
activities at the workplace
 The workers should be adequately informed of the nature of the
occupational hazards they may be exposed to.
 Education and training on safety and health matters should always
be an integral part of training activities at any enterprise.
 Sufficient time and effort must be invested in implementing these
training activities. New workers should receive an orientation to their
tasks so that they will learn to perform their jobs in a safe manner.
 Safety Criteria
Occupational Accidents
 Visible Hazards: unfenced scaffolds, openings in the
floor, dripping or leaking chemicals, etc.
 Invisible Hazards: inert gases, welding fumes, noise,
vibration, etc.
 Physical hazards
 Chemical hazards
 Biological hazards
Safety Criteria (Contd…)
Work-related Diseases

Major Work-Related Risk Factors:

 Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSIs)
 Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)
 Work Related Factors That Present
Greatest Risk for MSIs Involve:

 Fixed and constrained postures that are

frequently awkward, uncomfortable and
maintained for too long a time.

 Repetitive and forceful hand movements

 A high pace of work

Poor Posture can be a result of:
 Non-adjustable or unsuitable workstations
 Inadequate layout of the workstation
 Poor working habits that remain
uncorrected
 Unsuitable job design
 Lack of knowledge and experience on how
to set up and adjustable workstation
properly according to the worker’s needs.
Effect of Body Postures
Posture
 Standing
 Sitting without lower back
support
 Sitting without good foot rests
of adequate height
 Sitting with elbows resting on a
working surface which is too
high
 Arms reaching upwards
 Head bent back
 Trunk bent forward; stooping
position
 Lifting heavy weights with back
bent forward
 Any cramped position
Probable site of pain
 Feet, lower back
 Lumbar region
 Knees, legs and lumbar region
 Muscles of the Upper arms
 Shoulders and upper arms
 Cervical region
 Lumbar region, erector spinal
muscle
 Lumbar region, erector spinal
muscle
 The joints involved
 Prevention of Industrial Accidents
Fire Prevention and Protection
 Design buildings, processes and storage facilities in such a way
as to limit the possible combination of oxygen, fuel and an
increase in temperature.
 Eliminate or reduce sources of heat or ignition
 There should be an ‘Emergency Plan’
 There should be at least two clear marked unobstructed exits
 These should be an alarm system/visual signals-flashing or
revolving lights
 Right type of fire extinguisher
 Hands on training on safety procedures
Working Premises
 Isolate any operation which is hazardous or constitutes a
nuisance.
 Wherever possible work premises should be above ground level
and equipped with windows having a surface area of not less
than 17 percent of the floor area.
 Minimum ceiling height should not be less than 3 metres.
 Each worker should have at least 10 cubic metres of air or more
 Each worker has an adequate minimum free-floor area not less
than 2 square metres per person.
 Walls and ceiling should have a finish which prevents the
accumulation of dirt, avoids moisture absorption and where ever
necessary reduces noise and transmission.
 Floor covering should be of the non-slip, non-dust-forming and
easy-to-clean types and should where ever necessary have
good electric and thermal insulation properties.
Housekeeping
 Unnecessary items should be disposed of.
 Tools and equipment should be arranged in a way that allows
easy access and returned to their designated place.
 Gangways and passages should be kept clear and the floor
painted with lines at least 5cm wide that distinguishes the.
 Toxic matter should be painted in a different color.
 The working area should be kept clean.
 Working clothes should also be kept clean.
 Workers employed on dirty jobs or exposed to dangerous or
toxic substances should have wash rooms with a tap for every
three or four workers and a shower for every three workers.
 Adequate toilet facilities should be provided no farther than 75
metres from work areas.
Lighting
 Size and color of the workplace
 Its distance from the eyes
 The persistence of the image
 The lighting intensity
 Contrasts of colors
 Glare
 Noise and Vibration
Any disagreeable or undesired sound

 Climatic Conditions