Using an activity in your own workplace(or one you are familiar with) as an example, describe how you might conduct an assessment using the Ergonomics Model provided as a framework. no more than 1 page
Ergonomics Exercise 1 Using an activity in your own workplace (or one you are familiar with) as an example, describe how you might conduct an assessment using the Ergonomics Model provided as a framework. This should be no more than 1-page. Slide 1 Introduction to Ergonomics Paul Rothmore BAppSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, MErg, PhD, FACP In this presentation we will revisit some key points from your first course – Occupational Hygiene and Ergonomics. This session will focus on the Ergonomics Model but we will also review some other basic information. 1 Lecture Content Definition Ergonomics discipline The Ergonomics Model Ergonomics Methods Assignments 2 What is ergonomics? The terms human factors and ergonomics are used interchangeably in the literature Ergonomics is derived from the Greek ergon = work nomous = natural laws Also known as engineering psychology or human engineering Human centred science The terms “human factors” and “ergonomics” are used interchangeably in the literature – and to avoid confusion the professional organisation in Australia is now called the “Human Factors and Ergonomics Society”. The word ergonomics is derived from the Greek words – ergon (meaning work) and nomous (meaning natural laws). You may also come across terms such as “engineering psychology” or “human engineering”. These may all come under the umbrella term of “ergonomics”. As you progress through this course it will become obvious that ergonomics is a “human centred science.” 3 What is ergonomics? Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the fundamental understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the application of methods, theory and data to improve human well-being and performance. International Ergonomics Association (2000) So what exactly is ergonomics? The International Ergonomics Association defines it as: The scientific discipline concerned with the fundamental understanding of interactions among humans the other elements of a system, and the application of methods, theory and data to improve human well-being and performance. 4 What is ergonomics? Most simply – Ergonomics is the scientific study of human work “Work” can be used in its broadest or narrowest sense Most simply put however is “Ergonomics is the scientific study of human work” where “work” can be used in its broadest or narrowest sense. 5 Domains of Practice Ergonomics/Human Factors Physical Ergonomics Cognitive Ergonomics Organisational Ergonomics Postures Forces Repetitive Movements Vibration Workplace environment Individual factors Mental Workload Decision making Skilled Performance Human-Computer Interaction Human reliability Work stress Training Job Analysis Job Design Working times Teamwork Participatory design Consultative Arrangements Culture Within the discipline, domains of specialisation represent deeper competencies in specific human attributes or characteristics of human interaction and while a general ergonomist would have an understanding of each of these others may specialise in a particular field. Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. The relevant topics include working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health. Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. The relevant topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design. Organisational ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational structures, policies, and processes. The relevant topics include communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work paradigms, organisational culture, virtual organisations, telework, and quality management. 6 7 Ergonomics as a discipline Draws on the body of scientific knowledge from: Medicine, anatomy & physiology Biomechanics / kinesiology Engineering, architecture & design Psychology Sociology Industrial relations 7 Isn’t it all just common sense? You may hear people comment that ergonomics is all about common sense . . . 8 University of Adelaide 9 Clearly it isn’t. 10 11 Ergonomically designed? Try using it Think of all the ways/circumstances in which you might use it Does it fit your body size or could it be better? Can you see and hear all you need to? Is it hard to misuse? 11 12 Ergonomically designed? Is it comfortable to use all the time (or just initially)? Is it easy or convenient to use (or could be improved)? Is it easy to learn to use? Are instructions clear? Is it easy to clean and maintain? Do you feel relaxed after a period of use? 12 13 13 14 Swiss balls “If you are tired of your office chair and want a fun, ergonomically sound replacement - try a ball! Used as chairs, Swiss Balls promote good posture, provide a cushion for your spine and will help make your work environment more fun. Balls also encourage movement of the spine, which help spinal discs stay hydrated and healthy.” 14 15 Adjustable Office Chair Adjustable backrest lumbar support depth Armrest adjustable Adjustable seat tilt 5 point swivel base Mobility Adjustable seat height (at least 100 mm) Postural variation 15 16 Swiss Ball No base No adjustability No backrest Unable to move around on ball Unstable No postural variation ?Modified 16 17 Swiss Ball Constant exercising High levels of concentration and fatigue Upright posture is lost quickly No full seat or back support Cannot maintain upright postures while reaching/moving Limited mobility No swivel May constitute a falling hazard Getting on/off, reaching 17 18 Swiss Ball Inadequate support for the buttocks thighs May become “loose” in the work area Increased load of the Lx when sitting Can be reduced by opening the hip angle Use of armrests, backrests Use of Swiss ball in rehabilitation (when appropriately prescribed/supervised) doesn’t transfer to whole day use! 18 19 The Australian – June 18, 2009 19 The Ergonomics Model Now let's review the Ergonomics Model 20 Ergonomics Model There are many models which could be described as ergonomics models, given that essentially the human is the centre of the operating system. Ergonomics models serve to demonstrate the interaction between the human and the machine within an environmental and job design context. One such model is provided here. This model has 6 layers comprising The person The tasks they perform The tools used and the workstation The environment in which the tasks are performed The organisation of work And finally, the company culture. Let's discuss these in more detail. 21 Tools Company Culture Work Organisation Environment Tasks Person Ergonomics Model Physical Psychological Psychosocial Firstly the physical factors. Anthropometry refers to data about the size, strength and stature of the human. It is derived from the Latin words anthro meaning “human” and metric meaning “measure”. Anthropometric information is frequently used in the determination of such things as appropriate working heights and strength limitations. Moving on to psychosocial risk factors these include such things as: Job dissatisfaction, boredom, lack of job control and perceptual and cognitive demands – all of which may play a role in the likelihood of workplace injury. Psychosocial factors are often overlooked and this is a topic we will develop in future modules. Like the psychosocial risk factors already discussed, and also often overlooked, are psychological factors such as the level of existing family support or co-worker/supervisor support. It is these psychosocial or psychological factors which may partly explain the significantly different responses seen among individual workers who are exposed to essentially the same work environment. 22 Tools Company Culture Work Organisation Environment Tasks Person Ergonomics Model Physical Psychological Psychosocial At the centre of our model is the person. Factors to consider are: Physical Psychological and Pyschosocial Firstly the physical factors. Anthropometry refers to data about the size, strength and stature of the human. It is derived from the Latin words anthro meaning “human” and metric meaning “measure”. Anthropometric information is frequently used in the determination of such things as appropriate working heights and strength limitations. Moving on to psychosocial risk factors these include such things as: Job dissatisfaction, boredom, lack of job control and perceptual and cognitive demands – all of which may play a role in the likelihood of workplace injury. Psychosocial factors are often overlooked and this is a topic we will develop in future modules. Like the psychosocial risk factors, and also often overlooked, are psychological factors . These includes such things as the level of existing family support or co-worker/supervisor support. It is these psychosocial or psychological factors which may partly explain the significantly different responses seen among individual workers who are exposed to essentially the same work environment. 23 Tools Company Culture Work Organisation Environment Tasks Person Ergonomics Model Physical Psychological Psychosocial Sequence Duration Repetitive Loads Moving on to the next layer in our model we need to consider the sequence in which tasks are performed (remembering that some tasks can predispose you to subsequent injury) , how long they are performed for and the nature of the loads and actions undertaken. All these are factors which may influence the likelihood of injury. 24 Tools Company Culture Work Organisation Environment Tasks Person Ergonomics Model Physical Psychological Psychosocial Sequence Duration Repetitive Loads Heights, Reach Weight Postures The tools and workstation at which activities are undertaken comprise the next layer of our model and we will need to consider such things as: Working heights (for both sitting and standing work) Reach required (for example do tasks fall within the primary, secondary or tertiary reach envelopes) The nature of the weights and loads to be handled. For example handling a patient is a far more complex activity that handling a static object of equivalent weight and size) and The postures required during the completion of these activities. For example are the postures adopted in mid or at end-range and which body parts are involved? 25 Tools Company Culture Work Organisation Environment Tasks Person Ergonomics Model Physical Psychological Psychosocial Sequence Duration Repetitive Loads Lighting. Noise Thermal Psychosocial Heights, Reach Weight Postures Now moving further through our Model we need to consider the broader workplace environment. Here we need to consider both the physical and psychosocial environment. In the physical environment some of the things we need to consider are: Lighting - Beyond factors such as Illuminance, Luminance and Glare we also need to consider the effects of poor lighting (such as in stooping to read labels in a poorly lit stockroom) as well as the effect of age (remembering that older workers may require increased lighting levels) and the use of correct lenses (and these can be glasses or contact lenses) which might make the wearer more susceptible to glare. Noise may have direct physical effects such as Noise induced hearing loss or temporary threshold shift. It can also interfere with the perception of speech, machine noises or the ability to monitor and respond to warning