IME 642: Ergonomics and Occupational
Biomechanics
Professor: Tycho Fredericks, Ph.D., CPE
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Introduction
We need to ask 3 questions:
1. WHO ( user) was it designed for?
2. WHAT task was it designed for?
3. WHAT environment will it be used in?
Introduction
Task Demands
Human Capabilities
Simply put, Ergonomics is:
Fitting the Task to the Individual
Introduction
Ergonomics by the Numbers
According the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011)
2,986,500 Total Recordable Cases of Injuries and Illnesses
908,300 Cases Involving Days away from Work
340,870 Cases Involving Strains, Sprains, and Tears
182,270 Cases Involving Injuries to the Back
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011), [Link]
Introduction
Definition
ERGONOMICS is defined as the design of the workplace,
equipment, machine, tool, product, environment and
system, taking into consideration humans physical,
physiological, biomechanical and psychological
capabilities; and optimizing the effectiveness and
productivity of work systems while assuring the safety,
health and well-being of the workers.
Introduction
Benefits of Ergonomics
The application of ergonomic principles can result in:
- Increased productivity
- Increased efficiency
- Improved health and safety
- Increased job satisfaction
- Increased work quality
- Lower worker turnover
- Lower lost time at work
- Lower workers compensation claims
- Less likelihood of OSHA fines
Introduction
Terms used
- Human Factors
- Human Factors Engineering
- Human Engineering
- Engineering Psychology
FITTING THE TASK TO THE INDIVIDUAL
Introduction
Ergonomics and Other Sciences
Engineering Sciences
Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Anthropology
Mechanics
Physics
Physiology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Sociology
Physical
Anthropology
Anatomy
Statics
Psychology
Group
Dynamics
Epidemiology
Anthropometry
Dynamics
Physical Energy
Stresses
Biomechanics
Mathematics
Physiological
Sciences
Work Physiology
Industrial
Psychology
Engineering Psychology
ERGONOMICS
Introduction
Effectiveness of an Ergonomics Program
To evaluate the effectiveness information required
1.
2.
-
FREQUENCY of injury/illness/cases
Number
Rates
SEVERITY of injuries/illnesses/cases
Lost time
Introduction
Incidence Rates
The term incidence rate is a general term
Total injury/illness incidence rate includes the
following terms:
- Injury incidence rate
- Illness incidence rate
- Fatality incidence rate
- Lost-workday-cases incidence rate
- Number-of-lost-workdays rate
- Specific-hazard incidence rate
- Lost-workday-injuries rate (LWDI)
Introduction
Incidence Rates
Incidence rate is expressed as a ratio of the number of injuries and
number of hours worked during a given time period.
Specifically,
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS, 2002) was developed using a
production-oriented conceptual framework, groups establishments into industries based
on the activity in which they are primarily engaged.
NAICS uses a six-digit hierarchical coding system to classify all economic activity into
twenty industry sectors.
A full time worker typically is on the job 50 weeks per year at 40 hrs per week thus 2,000 hours/yr.
The number 200,000 represents the number of work hours spent by 100 workers in a year
Introduction
PROACTIVE ERGONOMICS vs. REACTIVE
ERGONOMICS
Proactive ergonomics
- Making changes BEFORE injuries occur
Reactive ergonomics
- Making changes AFTER injuries occur
HOW DO WE GET FROM ONE TO ANOTHER?
Introduction
Basic Ergonomic Model
Human
Human
Capacity
Task
Demands
Task
Environment
Yes
Accommodate
>95% (75%)
Engineering
Controls
Yes
No
Engg.
Changes
Possible
No
Administrative
Controls
End
Introduction
Human Task-Environment System
Characteristics:
Human
- Strength
- Body size
- General health
- Gender
- Age
- Motivation
- Training/experience
Task
-
Energy demands
Frequency
Weight/force
Starting/ending point of the
motion
Speed of lift
Exposure time
Size and shape of load
Workplace geometry
Coupling (handles)
Environment
- Climate/thermal stresses
(heat/cold)
Light
Noise
Vibration
Chemicals
Platform motion
(acceleration)
- Radiation
- Traction (slips)
-
Introduction
Basic Ergonomic Model
Human
Human
Capacity
Task
Demands
Task
Environment
Yes
Accommodate
>95% (75%)
Engineering
Controls
Yes
No
End
Engg.
Changes
Possible
No
Administrative
Controls
Introduction
Results of Ergonomic Applications
Matching job requirements and worker capabilities
Understand the effects of work on humans and their performance
Predict the potential effects of work
Assess the fitness of the workplace and/or tools
Establish a knowledge base support
Designers
Engineers
Medical personnel
