Method Study and Chapter-I

Ergonomics
Dr. K.Balasundaram
Assistant Professor
School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Dire Dawa Institute of Technology
Course Description

• Method study or methods engineering or work design enables the industrial

engineer to subject each operation to systematic analysis with the primary aim of
eliminating the unnecessary operations; and to achieve the best method of
performing an operation.

• This course is designed to provide with the basic concepts and principles of
ergonomics/ human factors design so that they are able to understand the
problems of human-technology interface in the workplace.
Course Outline

Chapter -I

Method study (Method Engineering):

• Introduction, Method Study / Engineering Steps, Methods Engineering Techniques/

Recording Techniques, Developing a new working Method.

Chapter-2

Ergonomics/ Human Factors Viewed as the Multidisciplinary:

• Psychology, Physiology, Anthropology, and Ma-machine interaction

Course Outline

Chapter-3

Manual work Design:

• Musculoskeletal System, Principles of work design: Motion economy, Motion Study, and
Manual Work and Design Guidelines.

Chapter-4

Work place, Equipment and Tool design:

• Anthropometry and Design, Principles of work design: the Work place, Principles of work
design: Machine and Equipment, Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD), and Principles of work
design: the tools.
Course Outline

Chapter-5
Work Environment Design:
• Noise, Illumination, Temperature and Ventilation, Vibration, Radiation, and Shift
Work and Working Hours.
Chapter-6
Occupational Safety and Risk Factors:
• Risk factors inherent in the worker , the task, the Environment, Conducting
Symptoms Surveys, Engineering and Administrative risk Controls, Ergonomics and
Occupational Safety Regulations (OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, ISO), Ergonomics as Part of a
Company Safety and Health Program, Ergonomics Awareness Training, and
Components of an effective safety program.
Objectives of the course

• Undertake productivity improvement through appropriate techniques

• Construct and Sketch out different flow charts and diagrams to
analyze and portray work procedures
• Recognize ergonomic factors to be considered in manual work,
equipment, workplace design;
• Design work according to human capabilities and limitations
• Apply the Occupational safety information to protect employees from
ergonomic risk factors in the workplace.
• Identify ergonomics risk factors inherent in the worker, the task, the
environment and construct corrective measures for the risk factors.
Course Assessment Methods

Assessment
Week of
Continuous Assessment Method % feedback
Assessment
date

Seminar 10 3nd week 3nd week

Case study 25 5th week 5th week
Test 15 7th week 8th week
Final Examination 50 9th week 9th week
Total 100  
Texts and References Materials

• Niebel B. and Freivalds A. (1999), Method, Standards and Work Design,

10th ed. USA
• Philips M.D (2000); Human Factors Engineering; John Wiley & Sons, Inc;
NY
• Aft, L (2000), Work Measurement & Methods Improvement, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc; NY
• Ralph M. (1980), Motion and Time Study, Design and Measurement of
Work, 7th ed. Wiley, Ny.
• Shan, H.S. (2001) Work study and Ergonomics, J.Kapur, Delhi