Mr .A.T.

Kashaija
Department of Engineering Sciences and Technology
 Disciplines in Ergonomics
Management Law
Economics

PSYCHOLOGY PHYSIOLOGY
-ENVIRONMENTAL
-COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS
-WORK
-WORK
-SOCIAL

Engineering
ANATOMY
-ANTHROPOMETRY
-BIOMECHANICS System design
Manufacturing

Environmental
Medicine
Physiologists, Psychologists and anatomists
roles in engineering design
Physiology:
Is the study of man and his working environment.
Physiologist’s informations are important to designers so
that they can design products or systems within the
limitations of the human body.

Example
A car braking system must be designed in such a way that
any driver can easily exert a force on the pedal and bring
the car to rest
Thus information needs to be gathered on the strength of
peoples’ legs and then lever and hydraulic systems
designed to suit such forces.

The designer must also consider which part of the body is

most suited to performing a specific task. Legs are
stronger than arms and are more suited to simple repetitive
tasks involving large forces such as applying the brakes

Hands and fingers are more nimble and are better suited to
finer controls such as a steering wheel or adjusting the
volume on a radio.
Psychology
Study of adaptive behaviour and skills of people

Psychology is the study of the mind and the way it works.

Using your five senses you transmit information from the
world around you to your brain.

The brain interprets this information and provokes a

reaction.

For example, a sudden loud noise will prompt you to

cover your ears with your hands.
All aspects of the environment affect the way you behave
i.e. if it is sunny you may feel happy and if it is cloudy
you may feel sad.

In the same way a bright room will heighten your senses

whereas a dull room will make you subdued.

There are a variety of aspects of product design which will

affect your behaviour and having an understanding of how
the mind works is important when designing the
human/product interface.
Designers can improve the human/product interface by
making a product easy to use.

The user must be able to easily sense important

information be it through touch, sight or sound and then
react accordingly.

For example the on/off button must be easy to find and

symbols for each of the different functions of a product
should be easy to understand.
Anatomy
Study of body dimensions and relations for work
design

The study of human measurements such as

height, arm length, reach, etc.

The challenge for designers and engineers is to

design things which can be used by the majority of
the population. Because we are all different this often
means providing a limited form of adjustment.
The driver’s seat in a car has a number of adjustments
which allow it to be customized by each driver.

It is only Formula One drivers who have cockpits tailor-

made to their own measurements!

Knowing the measurements of the person or persons for

whom you are designing is the key to successful design

Anthropometrics is the study of facts and figures relating

to the human body such as height, arm length, weight, etc.
Anthropometric data differs between races, and changes
with time. For example, some Asian races were
traditionally smaller than western races.

British manufacturers exporting beds to Japan had to make

smaller beds than those sold in Europe.

However with improved diet and an increased protein

intake, these races are quickly catching up.

Most races are gradually getting bigger because of both

better diet and better health care.
Branches of Ergonomics
• Reactive Ergonomics-is where you respond to a
workplace complaint or injury
• Pro-Active Ergonomics-is where you analyze the
proposed task at design time to prevent injury

A real world ergonomics program should include both

analyses, but due to constraints of time and staffing not
every task can or indeed needs to be analyzed
Examples of work requirements that can cause discomfort,
fatigue, injury and illnesses are:

Stretching to reach
Repeated heavy lifting
High pinch forces
Handling objects that are sharp, very hot, or very cold.
Working with hands above shoulders
Long periods of work without a change in body
posture.
Domains Of Ergonomics
Physical Ergonomics

Cognitive Ergonomics

Organizational Ergonomics
Physical Ergonomics
Physical ergonomics is concerned with the interaction of
the body with the equipment and tools, starting right from
the chair to the computer. It also studies its effects on the
body, for example repetitive disorder, workplace safety,
health and layout, musculoskeletal disorder and posture.
Cognitive Ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomic emphasizes the ways of information
processing by the mind and its presentation. It is related to
the motor function, workload, decision-making and
memory-usage. This helps in understanding the
interaction and relation of the human mind with the data
presentation.
Organizational Ergonomics
Organizational ergonomic works on complete
optimization of the workplace, right from quality
management to teamwork. It includes managing
everything in the organization to make it a better place to
work.
WORK-RELATED
MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS (WMSDs)
What is Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
(WMSDs)?
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are
occupational disorders that involve soft tissues such as
muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels and
nerves

They are soft tissue injuries that occur gradually

WMSDs are also known as Cumulative Trauma Disorders

(CTDs) or Repetitive Strain Injuries(RSIs) or Overuse
Injuries
 WMSDs are
Daily stress to anatomical structures that may occur when a
person is exposed to certain high risk activities

If the accumulating stress exceeds the body’s normal

recuperative ability, inflammation of the tissue can follow

Chronic inflammation may lead to the development of

WMSDs

May require weeks, months or years for development - and

for recovery
 WMSDs/ CTDs are
Typically associated with repetitive manual tasks with
forceful exertions, performed with fixed body postures
that deviate from neutral, such as those at assembly lines
and those using hand tools, computer keyboards, mice,
and other devices. These tasks impose repeated stresses to
the soft tissues of the arm, shoulder, and back, including
the muscles, tendons, ligament, nerve tissues and
neurovascular structures, which may lead to tendon and/or
joint inflammation, discomfort, pain and potential work
disability
What is The Musculoskeletal System?
The Musculoskeletal System includes the following:

1. Bones – The load-bearing structure of the body

2. Muscles-Tissues that contract to create movement
3. Tendons – Tissues that connect muscles to bones
4. Ligaments – Tissues that connect bones to bones
5. Cartilage – Tissue that provides cushioning and reduces
friction between bones
6. Nerves – Communication system that links muscles, tendons
and other tissue with the brain
7. Blood Vessels – Tubes that circulate nutrients throughout
the body
 UE 2016 Qn
2(a)
What causes WMSDs?
Heavy, Frequent, or Awkward Lifting

Pushing, Pulling or Carrying Loads

Working in Awkward Postures

Hand Intensive Work

What are the Examples of WMSDs?
1. Sprain – Overstretching or overexertion of a ligament
that results in a tear or rupture of the ligament
2. Strain – Overstretching or overexertion of a muscle or
tendon
3. Tendonitis – Inflammation of the tendon inside the
sheath. Typically occurs in the shoulder, wrist, hands,
or elbow (tendon disorders)
4. Tenosynovitis – Inflammation of the sheath around the
tendon
5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Compression of the median
nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the heel
of the hand (nerve disorders)
What are the examples of WMSDs?
6. Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow – Medical term is
Epicondylitis – inflammation of the tendons at the elbow.
7. Trigger Finger – Common term for tendonitis or
tenosynovitis that causes painful locking of the finger(s)
while flexing
8. Pitcher’s Shoulder – Rotator cuff tendonitis – inflammation
of one or more tendons at the shoulder
9. White Finger – Medical term is Reynaud’s Phenomenon –
constriction of the blood vessels in the hands and fingers
10. Digital Neuritis – Compression of the nerves along the sides
of the fingers or thumbs
 Carpal Tunnel
Best known MSD
Compression of the
median nerve at the
wrist
Tunnel made up of nine
flexor tendons and one
peripheral nerve
Numbness and tingling
on the thumb side of the
hand
Signs or Symptoms of WMSDs
Painful joints
Pain in wrists, shoulders,
forearms, knees, etc.
Pain, tingling or numbness
in hands or feet
Shooting or stabbing pains
in arms or legs
Back or neck pain
Signs or Symptoms of WMSDs
Fingers or toes turning white

Swelling or inflammation

Stiffness

Burning sensations

Weakness or clumsiness in
hands; dropping things
Ergonomics Roles in minimizing
CTDs
Ergonomics knowledge allows minimization of human
suffering, potential for disability and the related worker’s
compensation costs. Ergonomics can help to:
Identify working conditions under which the CTDs might
occur
Develop engineering design measures aimed at
elimination or reduction of the known job risk factors and
Identify the affected worker population and target it for
early medical and work intervention efforts.
The ergonomic intervention should allow management to:
Perform a thorough job analysis to determine the nature
of specific problems

Evaluate and select the most appropriate interventions

Develop and apply conservative treatment (implement the

intervention) on a limited scale if possible

Monitor progress

Adjust or refine the intervention as needed.

Guidelines for control of CTDs
Most of the current guidelines for control of the CTDs at
work aim to:
Reduce the extent of movements at the joints

Reduce excessive force levels

Reduce exposure to highly repetitive and stereotyped

movements
 UE 2016 Qn
1(C)

Workplace Design Recommendations

Workplace design to prevent the onset CTDs should be
directed toward fulfilling the following recommendations:
Permit several different working postures
Place controls, tools, and materials between waist and
shoulder heights for ease of reach and operation
Use jigs and fixtures for holding purposes
Resequence jobs to reduce the repetition
Automate highly repetitive operations
Allow self-pacing of work whenever feasible
Allow frequent (voluntary and mandatory) rest breaks
It Costs Less to Be Safe
Average Cost of Average Cost of
Common WMSDs: Common Controls:
1. Low back: $6,000 1.Hydraulic Lift: $600

2.Adjustable Height
2. Shoulder: $7,000
Workstation:$800

3. Elbow: $4,000 3.Powered Screwdriver:

$100
4. Wrist: $5,500
4.Assembly Workpositioner:
$75
Five Key Points to Remember
1. Ergonomics can help you on your job
2. WMSDs can happen in jobs with risk factors
3. Risk factors can be reduced and WMSDs prevented
4. Reporting symptoms early is important
5. You can help your company put ergonomics changes
into place
HAND-HARM VIBRATIONS(HVAS)
A disorder which affects the blood vessels, nerves and
muscles of the hand, wrist and forearm

Can be severely disabling

Is better known as Vibration White Finger

A good number of workers is exposed to high levels of

vibration, especially those working in construction
industries
Symptoms of HAVS
Tingling and numbness in the fingers
In the cold and wet, fingers go blue then red and are
painful
You can’t feel things with your fingers
Pain or tingling in your forearms at night which stop you
from sleeping
Loss of strength in your arms and hands
Who is At Risk?
Users of breakers and pokers, sanders and angle grinders
Users of scabblers (to clean concrete) and needle guns
Users of drills and jigsaws
Those with a disease that reduces blood flow
Workers in cold and damp conditions
Workers using vibrating tools
Workers in contact with cold tools
HAVS Risk related
works
Prevention of HAVS
Low vibration tools
Use the right tool for the job
Tool maintenance
Reduce amount of time using the tool
Keep hands & handles warm
New approach to your job
Anti-vibration gloves
What Else Can I Do?
Learn to Recognize the signs of HAVS

Stop work and report any symptoms to your supervisor

immediately

Use any control measures provided, i.e. gloves etc., that

your employer has provided

Ask for advice from your safety department or safety rep

ERGNONOMICS
SOLUTIONS
Ergonomic hazards are prevented primarily by the
effective design of a job or job-site and the tools or
equipment used in that job

Based on information gathered in the work-site analysis,

procedures can be established to correct or control
ergonomic hazards using either engineering controls or
work practice controls

 Machines, tools, and the work environment may be

poorly designed, placing stress on workers' tendons,
muscles, and nerves and in addition, workplace
temperature extremes may aggravate or increase stress
Engineering Controls
Work stations should be ergonomically designed to
accommodate the full range of required movements of a
worker

Sufficient space should be provided for the knees and feet

Machine controls should be reachable and equally accessible

by both right and left-handed operators

Other factors to look at include hard or sharp edges, contact

with thermally conducting work surfaces, proper seating, work
piece orientation, and lay-out of the workstation
Engineering Controls
Attention must be given to the selection and designs of the
tools used in the workplace to prevent the tools from having a
negative effect

Workers should be permitted to test tools in the actual work

environment before purchasing new tools

 A variety of tool sizes should be available with consideration

to handle sizes, right and left-handed workers, weight, center
of gravity, and adequacy for gloved hands

 Engineering adaptations may be made to tools and tool

handles
Work Practice Controls
Key elements of a good work practice program include
instruction in proper work techniques, employee training
and conditioning, regular monitoring, feedback,
adjustments, modification, and maintenance

 After workers are trained in a particular work activity,

such as proper lifting, they should be monitored to ensure
that they continue to use the proper techniques

 Improper practices should be corrected to prevent injury

 Stretching
Prepares muscles to do
work

Flexible muscles not

easily injured

Tight muscles easily

injured
 90- degree Posture
Sit upright with your elbows, hips
and knees bent at right angles and
your feet flat on the floor or on a
footrest
This position is biomechanically
correct, but it can fatigue your back
muscles over time
Fatigue can lead to slouching, even
on a chair with lumbar support
 Forward Tilt Posture
Raise the height of your chair's seat a
few inches and tilt the front of it
downward about 8o

This will open up your hip angle and

allow you to support some of your
weight using your legs rather than
having it all rest on your hips and the
backs of your thighs
 Reclining Posture
Lean back 10o - 20o into the chair's
backrest and put your feet out in front
of you to open up the angle at your
hips and knees
This helps relax your back muscles
and promotes blood circulation
Leaning back too far however, can
result in an awkward neck posture
when trying to keep your head upright
 Standing Posture
Standing provides the biggest change in
posture, and is a good alternative to
prolonged sitting, which can aggravate low
back injuries
It can be fatiguing, however, so have a
counter-height chair available at standing
workstations, or use a height adjustable
sit/stand workstation
Also, prop one foot up on a low footrest
occasionally to help shift your weight
 Repetition
Use automatic tools for repetitive tasks (screw and bolt
tightening)

Eliminate unnecessary tasks / movements by redesigning

maintenance procedures and workstations

Take short, frequent breaks

Alternate tasks and processes to use different muscle

groups
 High Repetition
Job Enlargement
Reduce Speeds
Mechanical Assists / Positioning
Jigs/vices to hold parts
Move work to worker
Voice-recognition software
Macros
Mini-Breaks
High Repetition
 High Hand Force
Use clamps and fasteners
Reduce weight of tool or object
Redesign tool/user interface
Look at Material Handling Alternatives
Use Two Hands /Alternate Hands
Sharp, well-maintained tools
Alternate Positions/Tasks
 Repeated Impact
Use rubber mallets & padded tools

Use levers

Mechanical devices
Heavy, Frequent, Awkward Lifting
Reduce or Increase load weight, capacity
Handholds, rigid containers
Store objects 30” or more above floor
Slides, gravity chutes
Hoists, lifts, forklifts, Conveyors
Reduce horizontal distance
Handle items once
Mobile racks, storage
Arrange to avoid twist