The Ergonomics Manual

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Principles Of Ergonomics
Principle 1: Work In Neutral Postures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Principle 2: Reduce Excessive Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Principle 3: Keep Things In Easy Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Principle 4: Work At Proper Heights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Principle 5: Reduce Excessive Motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Principle 6: Minimize Fatigue And Static Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Principle 7: Minimize Pressure Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Principle 8: Provide Clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Principle 9: Move, Exercise And Stretch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Principle 10: Maintain A Comfortable Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cognitive Ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Work Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Quality, Efficiency And Cost Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Wear And Tear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Creating Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Setting Up A Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Ergonomics Task Evaluation Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

1992, 2000 Dan MacLeod

www.danmacleod.com
[email protected]

Published by Comprehensive Loss Management, Inc., Minneapolis, MN

Acknowledgments
A previous version of this material was written by the author for the Ergonomics Group of Clayton Group Services.
Introduction

Ergonomics is a wide-ranging field that seeks to design tools, equipment and

tasks to optimize human capabilities. Several catchphrases are described below that
serve as good definitions. As you will see, in many ways, ergonomics is not really
anything new. It amounts to seeing everyday things from a new perspective that is,
putting on your ergonomics glasses. Much of ergonomics is common sense, once you
think about it. The field can be summarized in a set of basic principles, which form the
core of this booklet.

Fit the task to the person Probably the best

phrase to describe the field of ergonomics is Fit
the task to the person, not the person to the task.
Whenever we set up a piece of equipment, we need to
ask, How does the human fit in? When designing a
tool or planning a task, we need to consider human
strengths and imitations.

Work smarter, not harder A time-worn

phrase that many people aspire to is Work smarter,
not harder. Normally, how one actually goes about
doing so is left unstated. But ergonomics remedies
that by providing methods for finding smarter ways
of working. It prescribes the principles and tech-
niques by which people can improve ways to work.

The rules of work The term ergonomics was

coined from the Greek words ergon (meaning
work) and nomos (meaning rules); so the literal
meaning is the rules of work, which is a handy
concept to think about and then apply.

2
 Introduction

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User friendliness The term user friendly is synonymous

with ergonomics. Anything that can be described as user Formal Definition
friendly can also be said to be ergonomic; unfriendly items
Ergonomics is an interdisciplinary
are not ergonomic. Being user friendly means that things are field of study that seeks to design
easy to understand and apply, that mistakes are reduced, tools, equipment and tasks to
and that the human is treated well in the process. The optimize human capabilities. In this
concept applies to both physical issues as well as mental, context, tools, equipment and tasks
or cognitive, ones. are broadly defined. A tool might
range from a simple hand tool, to a
written set of directions, to an entire
organizational system. Equipment
includes factory production lines,
household appliances and sports
paraphernalia. A task could be
either a physical or a mental
activity, and it could be done as
a job, a household chore or a
leisure-time pursuit.

Ergonomics seeks to improve

the interrelationship between the
human and a system, whether
a simple hand tool or an entire
production line. Whenever one
designs a more effective interface
between a human and a tool or task,
that is ergonomics.

3
Perspectives

Its not just for work Ergonomics can be applied to any

human activity, including home chores and leisure activities.

Its not necessarily new The term ergonomics

might be new, but the concepts have been around since the
earliest humans. A good example is a famous ergonomic
Cos 0
device invented in the nineteenth century the two-handed
scythe.
BW (lbs.)

HB (in.)

L (lbs.)

It doesnt have to be expensive On some occasions,

It doesnt have to be hard Although some technical
improvements take capital investment, but often enough, the
aspects of ergonomics are difficult, practical application at
best solutions are inexpensive or even free. It just takes some
work doesnt have to be hard. Anyone can have a good idea.
creativity and thinking. A common example is simply relocat-
ing control buttons to be within better reach.

Quality

Costs

Its about quality and effectiveness People who are Its good for business The focus of ergonomics is
fatigued, uncomfortable or hurting are in no position to do their people. But when properly applied, ergonomics can reduce
jobs right the first time, every time. Good ergonomics can put many costs for business, including workers compensation
people in a better position to do the jobs theyre capable of. costs, turnover, absenteeism and a variety of inefficiencies.

4
Work In Neutral Postures
Working in awkward, contorted postures and positions increases physical stress on the
body and reduces its strength, thereby making it more difficult to do a task. The optimal
Principle neutral posture is the one in which the muscles surrounding a joint are equally balanced

1 the posture that provides the most strength, the most control over movements and the
least physical stress on the joint and surrounding tissue. Note that none of these postures
are at right angles, even though tools and equipment are generally built that way.

S-curve

Keep the neck aligned Adjusting the heights of or

tilting the equipment or the worksurface often helps.

Keep the S-curve Whether sitting or standing, it is

important to maintain the natural S-curve of the back, which
essentially means keeping a slight sway back.

Keep the elbows in and the shoulders relaxed
Here, changing the orientation of the product allows the
elbows to hang naturally at the sides.

Good lumbar support is important, especially to help prevent

an injury-producing C-curve.
Keep the wrists in neutral The hands and wrists
should be in the same plane as the forearms.

Ideally, the hands should also be slanted slightly in and

forward the position your hands are in when you hold
The inverted V-curve is a serious injury-producing posture; it a steering wheel at the 10 and 2 oclock positions. You can
can be avoided with use of a tilter. Twisting motions, especially check this posture for yourself by dangling your arms at your
with a heavy load, can also cause injury. sides while standing and noting the position of your wrists.

5
Reduce Excessive Force
Countless tools and machines through the ages have served to reduce exertion. The search
for even more ways is one of the defining areas of contemporary workplace ergonomics.
Principle Excessive force can overload the muscles, creating fatigue and the potential for injury.

2
Furthermore, applying excessive force to perform a task can slow down the effort and
interfere with the ability to perform the task well. Consequently, almost anything that
minimizes the exertion required for the task will make it easier and typically faster to
perform and with less effort.

Increase leverage Levers are usually thought of in

terms of lifting large, heavy objects, but they can be applied in
virtually any circumstance, such as increasing the diameter of a
screwdriver handle. There are many opportunities in industry
to use levers to reduce forces on the hands and fingers.
Use conveyors Creative uses include floor mounted,
adjustable height, flex (or snake), short lengths, ball and
omni-directional versions.

A particularly neglected type of lever is the compound lever,

such as in this bolt cutter. It yields tremendous mechanical
advantage even with short grips and even when incorporated
into small tools used to squeeze tiny parts.

Use skids Skid bars are an inexpensive way to reduce the

amount of lifting and carrying. Even a skid as short as a few
inches can be helpful.

Improve layouts Poor layout (especially uneven heights,

reaches and distances that items need to be moved) often
causes forceful, wasted motions.

Use power grips You can exert more force with a full
hand grip (a power grip) than with the fingers alone (a pinch
grip). A good example is carrying a box or tote boxes with
handholds take less exertion to carry. Consequently, with a
good grip, you can accomplish the same task with less effort.
Use fixtures Using the hand as a fixture increases
exertion and wastes effort. If you simply hold the object in a Heat malleable products If plastic or a similar product
fixture, it becomes much easier to work on. Furthermore, the needs to be manipulated or fitted, its often helpful to heat the
fixture frees up both hands to do the actual work, rather than material to make it more malleable. Heat lamps and hand-held
simply holding onto the object. heat guns can be used for this purpose.

6
 Principle 2: Reduce Excessive Force

Strongest

Use appropriate grip size The optimal size for a power

grip is roughly that which permits the thumb and the forefinger
to overlap slightly. If the grip is significantly larger or smaller,
then more force is needed to accomplish the same work.

Friction grip
Use counterbalances Many loads that are held by the
arms can be counterbalanced to make them virtually weightless.
Techniques include overhead spring suspension, self-closing
Collar cylinders (like on doors or car hoods), a weight in combination
with a pulley or some type of lever and fulcrum.

Increase contact friction or use a collar If a grip

is slippery, you must squeeze harder to accomplish the same
task. One common improvement is to cover the grip with a
material that provides higher friction. In cases where the force
applied is coaxial to the grip, providing a collar or stop on the
grip can reduce grasping force.

Use good carts Heavily loaded carts often require high

force to be moved. Improvements include increasing wheel
size, adding handles and providing better flooring. Power
tuggers may be needed in some circumstances.

Use two-handed tools Adding a second handle to a

tool can halve the exertion required when one hand alone
holds a tool. Having two handles also permits greater control
and more accuracy in using the tool. Tommy gun grips are a
version of this concept used for pressure hoses. Note that a
prerequisite for a two-handled tool is that the product being
worked on must be secured.

Reacher

Arm brace
Use arm braces If a tool or its load is especially heavy, Use power tools, machines and cylinders
then it may be possible to add a forearm brace. The classic Perhaps the most obvious way to reduce force is to
examples are (a) the reachers used in old-time grocery stores completely mechanize the activity. Air and hydraulic cylinders
and (b) high-powered slingshots. are particularly useful when moderate force is needed.

7
Keep Things In Easy Reach
Make your work more user friendly by keeping within easy reach all the parts and tools that
you need frequently. Long reaches often cause you to twist, bend and strain, making work
Principle more difficult. This principle goes along with that of keeping good posture. If the posture

3 is OK, then the reaches will usually be OK. However, in the case of reaches, one evaluates
the equipment and workstations themselves, whereas with posture, all the signs of
problems come directly from observing individuals. Thus, evaluating both reaches
and postures is needed to double-check using different perspectives.

Make cutouts An increasingly common approach is to

make a cutout in the work surface. Cutouts reduce reaches yet
still allow large workspaces.
Think reach envelope The basic ideas are to (a) keep
frequently used materials within the reach envelope of the
entire arms and (b) keep constantly used things within the
reach envelope of the forearms. Note that this envelope is
a semicircle, not the rectangle typically used in fabricating
work surfaces.
Use swing arms Another way to bring items closer yet
Design for the short person In general, make sure spare workspace is to use swing arms.
that shorter-statured people can reach everything. If they can
reach, so can everyone else. (There is an opposite rule later
regarding clearance.)

Tilt When working out of boxes, its possible to use tilt

tables or stands or even to prop up the box on one end.
Tilted box stands can easily be fitted with hinges, cylinders
and rollers to enable easy transfer to carts and conveyors.

Rearrange The point behind keeping things in easy reach

is not a hard concept to grasp. What is difficult is having the
presence of mind to notice the reaching. Typically, long
reaches are so habitual that youre unaware that youre
reaching or that you could easily move items closer.

Reduce work surface size All too often, the work

surface is much bigger than needed. By cutting down its Remove barriers Many reaches are caused by barriers
size, you can eliminate long reaches plus increase floor space. that can be eliminated or relocated.

8
Work At Proper Heights
A common workplace problem is a mismatch in heights between people and the work
that theyre doing. This mismatch leads to poor postures and related fatigue, discomfort
Principle and potential damage to soft tissue plus unnecessarily harder work and reduced ability

4 to perform the task correctly. Proper height depends on the nature of the task. Once
again, this principle is often correlated with posture: If the postures are correct, then
generally the heights will be correct. However, there are exceptions.

Provide adjustable heights Because people vary in

height, good design often involves making height adjustments
in work surfaces. There are a variety of ways to do so:

Design for elbow height Generally, work is best done

at about elbow height, whether sitting or standing. This is
true for keyboarding as well as other kinds of work in
manufacturing and assembly. Note that it is the work itself that
should be at elbow height, not necessarily the work surface.

1. Change the work surface The best approach is to adjust

the height of the work surface itself. This is easiest with only
one person per workstation, which can then be adjusted once
for that person for example, by lengthening or shortening
the legs of a workbench. It is harder if several people use the
same workstation. Placing a simple riser or work surface
platform can sometimes accommodate taller people. More
elaborate is a crank-up or push-button adjustable surface.
Consider the exceptions The nature of the work also
2. Stand on a platform It usually is impossible to raise or
affects the proper height. Heavier work, requiring upper-body
lower assembly lines or large pieces of equipment. The alter-
strength, should be lower than elbow height. Lighter work,
native, then, is to provide platforms. While they may create
such as precision work and inspection tasks, should be higher.
congestion and possible tripping hazards, they have worked
well in many facilities.

Avoid extremes When it isnt possible to make every Use tool extenders The floor is an extremely awkward
height ideal, it may be feasible to avoid the extremes; that is, height from which to work. Long handles and tool extenders
avoid working below knee level or above shoulder level. provide ways to improve the height.

9
Reduce Excessive Motions
Minimizing the number of motions required to do a task can lessen the wear and
tear on your body and also improve efficiency. Repetitive motions are, in many ways,
Principle time wasters, and many of the techniques to reduce excessive motions amount to

5 old-fashioned methods engineering ideas that have perhaps been neglected in an

era of high technology. Motion efficiency can be readily applied in many workplace
ergonomics activities.

Let the tool do the work One of the best ways to

reduce repetition is to allow machines and tools to do the
work. Machines are good at performing repetitive tasks
endlessly, so they should be exploited.

Improve technique Its not uncommon to see two

people working side by side on the same task, one working Slide rather than pick and place Its usually better to
smoothly and the other with hectic, exaggerated and wasted slide items, rather than pick them up one at a time and place
motions. Its important to help employees learn to use the them in their locations. Although motions are still required, the
most efficient, least injurious methods. Sometimes, this might total number is usually reduced. Try these techniques:
take some study and comparisons. The video camera offers an Move equipment closer together, equalize heights and tilt
excellent tool to help find the best method. You can videotape boxes and containers.
various individuals and then watch the tapes during group Cut holes in work surfaces to permit items or scrap to drop
meetings to identify good techniques. directly into containers or onto conveyors.

. . . More motions
Motion-saving mechanisms A number of mechanical
devices can be applied:
Fewer motions . . . Gearing One turn yields multiple turns.
Rack and pinion One motion yields multiple turns.
Old-fashioned sewing machine pedal One stroke yields
Improve layouts Workstation changes to improve the
multiple reciprocal motions.
heights, reaches, locations and orientations of materials can
Yankee screwdriver One push yields multiple turns.
eliminate many unnecessary hand and arm motions.
Ratchet Eliminates repetitive grasping and regrasping.
Reduce the range of the motion There is a distinction Hoppers Instead of using scoops to handle granular
between a small, insignificant motion and a large, sweeping materials, hoppers reduce motions and save time.
one. Thus, even if a motion cannot be eliminated altogether, it
Keep materials oriented Feeding parts and materials
might be reduced.
in the correct orientation to a workstation can reduce motions.
Watch for double-handling Double-handling is basically Furthermore, parts should never be allowed to become
doing the same work twice picking up and replacing an jumbled because extra work and more motions will be needed
object only to have to pick it up and handle it again. to straighten them out again.

10
Minimize Fatigue And Static Load
Overloading peoples physical and mental capabilities can contribute to accidents, poor
quality, lost productivity and wear-and-tear-type injuries. A particularly common
Principle source of fatigue is known as static load, which is holding the same position for a period

6 of time (static means not moving, as in stationary). Static load is especially stressful
in combination with high force and awkward posture, but the primary concern is the
amount of time that the muscles are contracted. Even if a muscle is only lightly
tensed, over an extended time, pain and fatigue can result.

Bench-mounted armrest

Reduce force and duration A common example of

Use armrests Armrests eliminate static load on the
static load is writers cramp. You dont need to hold onto
shoulders in tasks that require outstretched arms. New types
a pencil very hard, just for long periods, for your muscles to
of armrests can be attached to workbenches and machines.
tire and begin to hurt. To prevent writers cramp, (1) stop
occasionally to stretch and (2) use a pencil grip, which makes
it easier to hold. (It reduces slipperiness plus increases size.)

Self-closing tool mounted Use footrests For standing jobs, having a footrest
on a fixture available provides a chance to alternate postures occasionally.

Use fixtures Its crucial to use fixtures, clamps and other

ways to prevent static grasping of items, whether parts,
tools or both, if possible. Dont use your hands as fixtures.

Use self-closing tools Tweezers and clamping tools

squeeze to open up the tool and then let go to hold it in place.
This eliminates the need to grasp continually. Locking pliers
provide a different version of the same concept, as do locking
triggers on power tools. Use lean stands Lean stands can relieve the static load
on leg muscles. You wouldnt want to remain on a lean stand
for a long period, but from time to time, it provides relief from
constant standing. Furthermore, unlike a chair or stool, which
can take some effort to get into and out of, a lean stand
enables you to revert instantaneously to a standing position
for immediate attention to a machine or other work process.
Use straps Tools held for long periods can be fitted with Provide mobility Staying in the same posture is fatiguing.
straps to offload the muscles, as is common with hand-held Good design provides ways to change position yet not interrupt
video cameras. work. (Fatigue interrupts work; good design doesnt.)

11
Minimize Pressure Points
Direct pressure against the body, or contact stress, is a common issue in many work-
stations. In addition to being uncomfortable and interfering with your ability to work,
Principle contact stress can inhibit nerve function and bloodflow. For example, the hand is

7 particularly sensitive because there are (a) a large number of nerves throughout the
hand and fingers, which are typical points of contact, and (b) blood vessels in the fleshy
part of the palm, where hand tools normally press.

Contour and pad Many tools and pieces of equipment Provide arm cushions A common example of contact
can be improved with these techniques: stress is having to lean your forearms against a hard edge. To
Contour the item to fit the shape of the body. make improvements, add padding and/or round out the edge.
Provide padding to soften the pressure.
Distribute the pressure over a larger surface area.

Provide floor cushioning Standing for long periods of

time on hard surfaces (especially concrete floors) can damage
tissue in the heels, contribute to other leg disorders and
increase fatigue. Options include:
Use whole-hand loops Rather than using finger loops Antifatigue mats are the usual choice in production
for tools such as scissors, providing whole-hand loops for facilities where employees stand at single workstations. A
heavily used tools eliminates rubbing on the fingers. variety of types are available for an assortment of conditions,
ranging from oily areas in machine shops to clean-room
conditions in pharmaceutical labs.
Cushioned insoles or heel cups for mobile staff
such as maintenance, engineers and supervisors should
be used where mats are not feasible. Viscoelastic, shock-
absorbing materials typically work best.

Provide good chairs and shop stools Contact stress

from sitting on hard surfaces, which is the epitome of discom-
fort from pressure points, can be lessened with cushioning and
contouring. Proper seat height greatly affects pressure points
on the legs. If the seat is too high and the legs dangle, the Use flat footrests Foot rings and rails are common on
pressure behind the knees can be excessive. If the seat is too stools and workstations, and theyre better than nothing.
low, the weight of the body concentrates on the buttocks, However, the narrow dimension can create a pressure point
again creating discomfort. on the bottom of the foot. Its better to use a flat surface.

12
Provide Clearance
You should have both adequate workspace and easy access to everything you need, with
no barriers in the way. Lack of clearance can create bumping hazards or force you to
Principle work in contorted postures. It also can increase long reaches, especially if there is

8 inadequate space for the knees or feet. Insufficient knee space is a common problem
in the industrial workplace, although every part of the body can be affected the
head, torso, feet and hands.

Clearance for
maintenance

Build in maintainability Probably the single biggest

ergonomics problem for maintenance personnel is lack of
clearance. Many activities would be simple to perform if the
worker could only reach an item and work on it with easy
access. Unfortunately, too often the items to be fixed are
buried within machines. The remedy is designing equipment
Design for tall people In general, the goal is to make with access in mind:
sure that tall people have enough clearance, that is, room for Provide removable panels.
the head, knees, elbows and feet. If tall people can fit, then so Provide quick disconnects.
can everyone else. To improve access: Relocate frequently accessed equipment.
Reorganize equipment, shelves and the like.
Increase the sizes of openings.
Eliminate obstructions between the person and the items
needed to accomplish the task.

Provide knee space As noted earlier, a common

problem is the lack of knee or thigh clearance under desks,
workbenches and other types of equipment where people sit.
Improvements include:
Thin surfaces, with no hindering drawers
Removal of obstacles

Provide visual access A related issue is the ability

to see what youre doing or to see dials and displays. A
common problem is being unable to see when moving a cart
or lift truck. Equally common is the difficulty of working at a Provide hand clearance Equally important is having
machine or workstation where gauges are too far from the sufficient space for the hands in order to avoid knuckle-
operators position. buster injuries and simply to get the job done effectively.

13
Move, Exercise And Stretch
The human body needs to exercise and stretch. You shouldnt conclude after reading
all the preceding information that youre best off just lying around, pushing buttons.
Principle To be healthy, you need to stretch each joint to the full range of motion periodically

9 throughout the day. Your heartrate needs to rise for a period of time every day.
Your muscles need to be loaded on occasion. Unfortunately, most jobs dont promote
these activities, and where there is movement or exertion, its often too much of the
wrong type.

Allow for alternate postures No one correct posture is

best for an entire workday. Its important to be able to change
Keep fit Staying in shape is important; some employers and move. Adjustable furniture and equipment can facilitate
provide fitness centers onsite to help promote good fitness. such movement, but even without them, you can change
positions often. And if you have adjustable equipment, take
Do warm-ups People who perform heavy tasks should advantage of it.
warm up beforehand. Experience in sports has shown the
value of warming up to prevent injuries.

Take energy breaks People doing sedentary tasks

should stop and stretch from time to time. Aerobic activity can
also provide benefits and reduce fatigue.

Design for sit-stand Alternate back and forth between

sitting and standing. The most basic approach is to design the
Change chair positioning For those who sit for long workstation for a standing posture and then use a tall stool to
periods, its important to adjust chairs. Shift, move and change sit on as needed. Stand until you get fatigued from standing;
positions often. then sit and vice versa.

14
Maintain A Comfortable Environment
We humans dont perform well in less-than-ideal environments. Excessive heat and humidity
slow us down; excessive cold hinders our ability to do effective work. Toxic chemicals can
Principle damage our health; vibration can injure sensitive tissue. This principle is more or less a

10 catch-all category in ergonomics. Some topics are often addressed in other specialties
for instance, toxic chemicals in the field of industrial hygiene. Other issues, such as
lighting, have gained attention with the interest in workplace ergonomics.

Task lighting

Vibration-dampening material

Dampen vibration and shock Working with tools and

equipment that create shock or vibration can cause injury. To
isolate vibration:
Use vibration-dampening materials in or on tools.
Perform routine maintenance.
Provide appropriate lighting The quantity and quality Mount equipment on vibration-dampening pads.
of light at your workstation will either serve to enhance or Use cushioned floormats for standing operations.
obscure the details of your work. Common problems include: Change equipment speeds and feeds.
Glare that shines in your eyes
Shadows that hide details
Poor contrast between your work and the background
To make improvements, provide: Torque
Task lighting or indirect lighting bar
Diffusers or shields to minimize glare
Better placement of lights

Cold air deflector

Use torque bars In operations where power screwdrivers

and nutrunners are used, its important to use torque bars
and make other modifications to prevent shock from being
transferred to the wrists.

Noise control This is another often neglected topic that

Avoid temperature extremes Being excessively hot fits in this category. Multitudes of techniques are available to
or cold while performing a task can cause discomfort and dampen noise, including isolation mounts, flexible connectors,
may contribute to health problems. In many cases, the source mufflers and streamlined air and fluid-handling systems.
of the problem is inherent for instance, laying shingles on a
hot day or moving meat in a cold storage locker. However, Colors Colors can affect tasks in a number of important
steps can be taken to avoid specific problems: ways. Small parts on a traditional white assembly table can be
Use ventilation defusers or deflectors to keep cold air from difficult to see; contrasting work surface colors can make them
blowing directly on people. visible. Matte colors can reduce glare and eyestrain. Color on
Add heat shields around furnaces and other heat sources. walls and the good use of art can enhance work areas.

15
Applications

SITTING WORKSTATIONS

Task lighting

Parts and tools on

swing arms
Commo
n Issue
Work
surfaces s
Tiltable work surface heights no t at good
Long
Adjustable-height
reaches
Work for mate
table surfaces rials
edges with har
d
Rounded, padded
Poor
clearanc
edges and kne e for thig
es hs
Poor
work
Knee clearance all tasks area to perform
Shad
ows or g
lare
Good chair

STANDING TASKS

Elbow height
s
n Issue
Commo legs
load on
Static d back
ar
Awkw bending
,
posture from Alternate sit
ress ur e points and stand
P
or
hard flo eights
ard h
Awkw

Antifatigue mat
Clearance for
knees and feet

Flat footrest

16
 Applications

HAND TOOLS

Adjustment to change grip diameter

Angled grip to promote neutral

Minimal force needed to wrist posture
squeeze trigger
Smooth, rounded grip surfaces
Full-hand trigger

POWER DRIVERS

Tool balancer
Torque bar
reduces shock
Padding provides friction surface
to reduce grip force plus
shock/vibration dampening
Collar reduces
grip force
Sleeve trigger
reduces motions
Tube-fed fasteners reduce
hand and arm motions

TOTES/BASKETS/PANS

Handholds, round and

sufficiently large

Lightweight

Nestle loosely

Easy to slide

17
Applications

CARTS

Good grips, generally at

waist height

art
Use A C ate
ri
Approp ask Push rather than pull
T
To The n
f types o
reds o
Hund ket Rear casters should
the mar yles may swivel to maneuver
le st
Multip ed heavy loads in tight
be need height can areas (but fixed is better
table for traveling distances)
Adjus ul
be helpf arts
s ider custom c
Con ial need
s
for spec Good-quality, large casters
(with appropriate bearings, Commo
wheel hardness and brakes) n
Issues
Repe
titive
bending lifting,
, twistin
and rea g
PALLETIZING AND MATERIAL HANDLING heavy lo
ching
ads

Options For Improvement

Scissors Lifts
Powered lift tables Mechanical Assists
Spring-loaded lift tables Powered, articulated arms
Zero-clearance lift tables Miscellaneous cranes and hoists
Lift tables with Lazy Susans Vacuum hoists
Lift tables with roller conveyors Alternative Methods
Lift tables that also tilt Hoppers
Automatic palletizing systems Chutes
Stretch Wrappers Guides and funnels
No-bend manual stretch Dollies and carts
wrappers Gurneys
Automatic stretch wrappers Runways
Pumps
Conveyor Systems
Overhead monorail systems
Skids and slides
Cell production
Roller or belt conveyors
(to reduce handling)
Screw (or auger) conveyors
Layout optimization
Ball conveyors
(to reduce handling)
Flex conveyors
Pressurized air
Air tube conveyors
(hovercraft concept)
Bulk handling
Lift trucks with custom grabbers

18
 Applications

MAINTENANCE

Good ergonomics can eliminate some of the awkward tasks associated

with maintenance and repair. Moreover, these same considerations
can reduce down time for repairs, improve inspection of critical
components and reduce failure-related accidents.

Improvements can be made by

applying all the basic principles
and concepts as needed but in
particular, Principle 8 Com mon Is
Heav
y handli sues
Provide Clearance. ng of equ
Repe ipment
titive
and sho motions of arm
u s
Awkw lders
ard post
Static ure
posture s
Static s
gripping
Varie
ty of han
Poor dt
access a ool issues
Reac nd
hing and clearance
heights a wkward
Press
ure poin
Envir ts
onment
as vibra al issu
tion and es such
heat/cold

MACHINING

s
n Issue
Commo rtion to
load
and exe
He avy lifting

stock oling
io n to c hange to
y exert ng and
Heav s to a cc ess tooli
reache
Long arts
handle p ments Options For Improvement
to m a ke adjust
reaches and bask
ets Shuttles to load parts
Long y to te s Equalize work surface heights to permit sliding of materials
g of heav rm motio
ns
Liftin n d a n d a Skid bars and guides to support loads while putting in and
titive ha
Repe nd unload parts removing from machine
to load a deburr
an d m otions to Skid bars, conveyors with gates or flex conveyors to handle
titive h rs
Repe ing on hard floo totes
nd
uous sta Air or hydraulic cylinders to do heavy pushing
Contin
Lift tables and tilted parts stands
Lean stands and footrests

19
 Applications

COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS

Requirements Tips

Neck not bent or twisted

Shoulders relaxed Top of screen at about
eye level
Elbows at sides
Copyholder next to
Keeping the curves with monitor, at same
good lumbar support height
Hands and wrists
in neutral
Keyboard at about
Not too much elbow height
pressure here
or here Mouse by keyboard
and wrist rest
Enough knee space

Remember: Its better for your spine to lean back slightly, as if youre sitting in your carseat.
Even so, no one posture is correct for an entire 8-hour day. You must change positions periodically.

CHAIRS AND WORK STOOLS

Good lumbar support Armrests adjust

and cushioning up and down

Backrest adjusts:
Up and down, with good lumbar Pneumatic height adjustment
support
Forward and backward, with
locking mechanism

20
Cognitive Ergonomics
Almost everything in this booklet deals with physical ergonomics. It is helpful, however, to mention other
major aspects of the field. Cognitive ergonomics addresses how we conceive information, process it mentally
and decide on correct responses. By designing displays and controls and, in fact, every type of information
that we handle mentally to take into account human perceptions and expectations, its possible to reduce
errors and improve performance.

Design For Expectations Use Appropriate Displays

Analog
Digital

Often, the type of display used will help provide the user
with the easiest and most accurate way to gain necessary
Most people would expect to flip up the switch to turn the information. Digital displays are usually best when precise
lights on. information is needed. However, analog gauges tend to be
faster and clearer for general indication.

So horizontal switches violate our expectations and provide no

hint of correct operation. We dont know automatically which
way to flip the switch. By studying issues like this, we can
Moving pointers and trend graphs are better for presenting
reduce mistakes and confusion.
relative information. But icons convey information quickly,
particularly for warning signs.
Standardize
Use Patterns
90
80
A: 32 70
B: 43 60
C: 28 50
40
D: 82
30
Which way would you turn these E: 45 20
faucets to turn the water on? F: 38 10
Many errors are caused by inconsistencies in how things are 0
A B C D E F
supposed to work. To prevent mistakes, a general rule is to Which is easier to interpret the list of numbers
ensure that similar devices work the same way. at the left or the graph above?

The operation of single faucets (such as outdoor spigots for Humans are good at recognizing patterns quickly and
garden hoses, above left) have been fairly standardized and accurately. Thats why graphs are much easier to read and
follow the popular rule for activation: Righty-tighty, lefty- interpret than columns of numbers. Bar graphs are especially
loosey. Double faucets (like a sink, above right), on the other good for comparing numbers, and line graphs are good for
hand, are not standardized. showing trends.

21
Work Organization
A final general area of ergonomics has to do with the underlying design of work and related issues:

Task allocation How should tasks be divided and assigned to accomplish goals? Is it better to have many
people equally capable of doing many tasks? Or is it better to have a narrow division of labor, so that individuals
are highly qualified at specific tasks?

Assembly lines versus work cells Should the technology and equipment of the workplace be designed so
that tasks are narrowly defined? Or should the physical layout promote team activities?

Shift work Should there be more than one shift in a given workplace? And, if so, should employees
be assigned to just one shift (thus prohibiting some people from enjoying normal evening family and social
activities)? Or should they be rotated between shifts every couple of weeks (thus forcing everyone to disrupt
their biological time clocks)?

Reward system How should people be compensated for their activities? What actions should be rewarded?
Should people be compensated for how much they put into a task (hours and effort) or how much they put out
(quality and quantity of product)?

Structure How many vertical layers should there be in an organization? What degree of horizontal segmentation?
What amount of centralization?

Decision making What kinds of decisions should be made at what levels of the organization? Should the
strategic issues be left to just top managers? Or should rank-and-file employees be allowed or required to
take part in decision making?
These are huge topics, and other fields of study have clearly addressed them in more detail. Even so, ergonomics
adds a certain perspective. In particular, ergonomics focuses on the point at which the technological and human
sides of production mesh. There are many ways to approach these topics, but one helpful way is by considering
occupational stress.

OCCUPATIONAL STRESS
An important topic in this category is how to reduce stress:

Plan Anticipate, think ahead and prepare. Think of ways

to avoid the stress of hurry-up-and-wait situations. Balance
the flow of work.

Communicate Think of how to share information,

coordinate and help plan. Dedicate time so you can discuss
issues and be kept up to date.

Empower Give people the ability to control the events

of their daily work lives.

Be involved Encourage participation in the daily events

of work life. Everyones ideas and input are important.

Promote teams The team concept helps promote a

sense of belonging, being valued and having a say.

22
Quality, Efficiency And Cost Reductions
Poor ergonomics can inhibit people from doing their
jobs well: Ergonomics is a people-based
concept, and the prime
People who are working in awkward and uncomfortable
motivator is improving human
postures or maybe even hurting are in no position to do
their jobs right the first time, every time. well-being. However, its also
important to recognize the cost
Fatigue is directly linked with lower productivity.
savings from doing so:
Manual tasks that are hard on people are often bottlenecks in
production or, even worse, non-value-added steps. Workers compensation
Most workers compensa-
Working in awkward postures reduces strength and affects tion costs are related to
fine motor control, which can lead to errors. back injuries, strains and
Fortunately, by putting on your ergonomics glasses, you other types of human wear
can start to identify ways of working that are simply better all and tear. These are exactly
around. Experience shows that productivity goes up with good the types of problems
ergonomics, not by making anyone work harder or faster but that can be solved with
by finding smarter ways of working. The number of defects ergonomics.
and errors can drop for the same reasons. By systematically
evaluating all tasks from one end of the workplace to the other, Turnover and absen-
its possible to find innovative ways to improve jobs from almost teeism One of the
every perspective. reasons people quit jobs or
dont show up every day is
that they dont like working
in awkward and uncom-
fortable positions or are
unnecessarily fatigued from
work. In the current era
of low unemployment,
improved ergonomics can
make many jobs more
attractive.

Morale An unsatis-
factory work environment
can reduce morale.
Estimating the cost of
poor morale is difficult,
but everyone knows there
is a cost associated with it.
Systematically improving
jobs using principles of
ergonomics can improve
morale, in terms of both the
end results and the process
of getting there.

23
Wear And Tear
There is a group of physical disorders that basically amount to wear and tear on the tissues surrounding the
joints. General terms for these disorders include Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), Musculoskeletal
Disorders (MSDs) and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs). Most people experience disorders like these during
their lives, often sports related or lower-back pain from everyday life. Usually, the symptoms are mild and
disappear with rest, but sometimes, they can become disabling.

Symptoms Risk factors

Soreness, pain or discomfort Several factors can increase the risk of wear-and-tear
Burning or tingling problems, whether of the lower back, wrist, elbow
(pins and needles sensation) or shoulder. The more factors involved and the
greater the exposure to each, the higher the chance
Numbness, weakness and clumsiness of developing a disorder:
Limited range of motion Awkward postures Body positions that deviate
Popping and cracking in the joints from neutral
Redness, swelling and local skin warmth Static load Using the same muscles for a period
of time without change
Get it checked out Pressure points Direct pressure against any
If you are having any problems of this sort, its vulnerable part of the body
important to get a medical evaluation using the Force The exertion required to make these
normal procedures in your workplace. With early motions
recognition, emerging disorders can be successfully
and simply treated with aspirin and ice packs. Repetition The number of motions made per
Waiting too long might require surgery, which day by a particular body part
involves higher costs and less chance of complete Environment Extreme heat or cold; vibration
recovery. and shock

Personal issues
Physical condition Poor personal fitness can

play a role in the development of some types of
disorders.
Diseases and conditions There are also several
diseases (for example, diabetes) and conditions
(pregnancy) that can increase the risk for certain
types of disorders.

Prevention
The approach to prevention is based in applying the
concepts outlined in this manual.

24
Creating Change
Improving ergonomics often involves change, and at one point or another, you may need to serve as a
change agent. Change must occur at two levels: (1) making sure the organizational climate is favorable
and (2) on occasion, getting people to change habits.

Atmosphere Of Innovation

Much of what it takes to change organizational culture

depends on the actions of top management, but every-
one has a role. It helps to do these things:

Adopt a set of rules

Everyone is expected come up with ideas for
improvement.
The best ideas are often discovered in group
settings. Two heads are better than one, and
twelve heads are better than two. Were in the habit of adjusting our car seats.
We need to do the same with equipment at work.
Brainstorming and even raising hare-brained
ideas are required.
Only a few of the ideas raised will actually be
Individual Change
feasible. Consequently, (a) its crucial to raise a
Sometimes, new methods involve changing ingrained
lot of ideas to increase the likelihood that you will
habits, which everyone knows can be difficult and
find a good one, and (b) no one should feel dis-
frustrating. To help make change easier, try to do
couraged if his or her idea doesnt work.
the following:
Often, the only way to know if something is going
to work is to try it. Train, involve and empower Explain what,
why and how. For example, with adjustable equip-
Few ideas ever work from the start. It takes time ment, people need to be told how it is adjusted, what
and usually a bit of trial and error to get goals they are trying to accomplish, and why this is
something to work right. important.
There is a difference between (a) a roadblock,
Provide practice Getting instructions is not
which can be overcome, and (b) a fatal flaw,
enough. People must practice a technique for it to
which totally kills an idea. Most problems are only
become a habit.
roadblocks (but there may be many of these).
Failure should be expected. In the real world, not Try it; youll like it Sometimes, people simply
every good idea works. have to be talked into trying the new method for
awhile. The length of trial must be long enough to
Communicate Explaining plans and keeping overcome old habits.
everyone updated is crucial.
Change everything On occasion, individuals
Involve people Participation creates owner- have done certain tasks for so long that any change
ship of ideas and helps people buy into the process, feels awkward, even if it is clearly better. Muscle
rather than have it dictated from above. memory plays a strong role here. It may be easier to
disrupt everything, so that everything is new and the
task has to be learned all over again from scratch.

25
Setting Up A Program
Establishing an initial, focused program is often necessary to set in motion an ongoing process. Several
basic elements of such a program are outlined below, and every employer should adopt them in one form or
another. Despite differences between types of industries and sizes of businesses, the following framework
provides an approach for integrating ergonomics into the day-to-day worklife.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Organization A plan for getting organized, assigning responsibility and involving people

Training An effort to provide training in ergonomics to personnel at all levels of the organization

Communication Systems for describing activities and progress

Task Analysis A systematic way to review all work areas for needed improvements

Making Improvements The key part of the process: making improvements whenever feasible

Medical Management Procedures and protocols for identifying and treating employees with
symptoms of CTDs

Monitoring Progress Ways to measure and evaluate the program

The step of problem solving is commonly left out of most descriptions of ergonomic task analysis.
One useful approach follows these steps:

Use a good checklist to review the task,

preferably in a group of two or three members
of an ergonomics team.

Discuss issues with employees and

supervisors.

Videotape the job.

Review video and checklist results

with a team in a conference room.

Brainstorm options for

improvement.

Plan actions for change.

Implement the changes.

Evaluate the results.

26
Ergonomics Task Evaluation Worksheet
(Make sure to explain your purpose to the people at the task you are evaluating)

Area _______________________________________________ Date of Evaluation ______________________

Task ___________________________________________________________ Shift 1_____ 2_____ 3_____
Steps of the Task

Ergonomics Issue Ideas for Improvement or Comments

1. AWKWARD POSTURES?
Bent wrists

Elbows from body

Bent/twisted back

Bent neck

2. EXCESSIVE FORCES?
Grasping or pinching forces

Push/pull arm forces

Loads on back

3. ANYTHING NOT IN EASY REACH?

Reach envelope:
full arm
fore arm

4. NOT AT RIGHT HEIGHT?

Over shoulders/below knees

Elbow height

Equipment height relationships

5. EXCESSIVE MOTIONS?
Hands

Arms

Back

The Ergonomics Manual 2000 Dan MacLeod This page may be reproduced for internal use.

27
Ergonomics Task Evaluation Worksheet

Ergonomics Issue Ideas for Improvement or Comments

6. UNNECESSARILY FATIGUING?
Static loads:
grip
arm

7. PRESSURE POINTS?
Tool grip
Hard edges/surfaces
Hard floor

8. POOR CLEARANCE AND ACCESS?

Bump/not fit
Cant see

9. FREEDOM TO MOVE & STRETCH?

Constant sitting
Stand in one place

10. UNCOMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT?

Vibration
Temperature extremes
Glare, shadows, too bright or dark

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What suggestions and feedback do employees/supervisors have?

Brainstorming Questions:
What alternative work methods are possible?
What improved types of tools are possible?
What types of mechanical assists might be used?
What changes in layout would help?
Would changes in the material-handling system help?
Would changes in the work process help?
Is there a completely different way of doing the job?

Evaluator(s) _________________________________ ________________________________ Date _________________

The Ergonomics Manual 2000 Dan MacLeod This page may be reproduced for internal use.

28