ERGONOMICS AT WORK
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is about ensuring a good `fit' between people and the things they use. People vary enormously in height and weight, in physical strength, in ability to handle information and in many other ways. Ergonomics uses information about human abilities, attributes and limitations to ensure that our equipment, work and workplaces allow for these variations.
For example, a car built only for 'average' sized drivers might require larger people to crouch, while smaller people might be unable to reach the pedals. Designers use information on variations in size, reach etc to produce cars that most people can operate comfortably and conveniently.
It is recognised that there must be some element of compromise where extremes of, for instance, body size are involved.
What are the advantages of ergonomics?
Designing tasks, equipment and workstations to suit the operator can reduce operator error, accidents and ill health. Failure to observe ergonomic principles can thus have serious repercussions, not only for individuals but also for the whole organisation. Ergonomics can make work safer, healthier and more productive.
What kinds of problem can ergonomics help to solve?
Some of the most obvious examples are to do with body size: for instance, work surfaces that are uncomfortable to sit at because they don't allow enough clearance for users' legs. There is, however, guidance available for designers and installers of equipment, to help them to avoid such problems (for example, British Standard 3044, GUIDE TO ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN THE DESIGN AND SELECTION OF OFFICE FURNITURE).
Hand tools
Many hand tools require a very wide grip. Such tools can impose severe strain if used frequently, particularly for people with small hands. The handles of tools with a hand span, such as pliers, should be between 50 mm and 67 mm apart, for the user to exert the necessary force with maximum efficiency.
High hand forces should be avoided where possible and handles should be designed so that they do not dig into the palm but spread the load over the largest possible area. Ergonomically designed hand tools can reduce injuries and increase productivity.
Control panels
The layout of controls and displays can influence the safety of a system. Typical problems are:
- switches that can be inadvertantly knocked on;
- control panel layouts that are difficult to understand;
- displays that force the user to bend or stretch to read them properly;
- badly identified controls that the operator could select by mistake;
- emergency stop buttons that are difficult to reach.
Systematic analysis of how people actually use equipment can highlight problems that need to be designed out. This underlines the importance of manufacturers, designers and installers applying ergonomic principles.
How can I tell whether something is ergonomically satisfactory?
Consider all the ways and circumstances in which the equipment or system may be used and then ask yourself:
- does it suit your body size?
- does it also suit all other users?
- can you see and hear all you need to readily?
- do you understand all the information that is presented?
- do errors occur frequently, and is it easy to recover from them?
- does the equipment or system cause discomfort if you use it for any length of time?
- is it convenient to use?
- is it easy to learn to use?
- is it compatible with other systems in use?
- could any of these aspects be improved?
- do other users have similar reactions?
Such questions can help to identify possible mismatches between the abilities and physical attributes of people and the demands of the equipment with which they work.
A systematic evaluation by trained staff may be needed to identify more obscure problems.
How do I know when something is wrong?
If the job, the equipment and the workplace are not designed to fit the people who work with them, mistakes are more likely and some of these could lead to accidents. If you examine the circumstances surrounding incidents and near-misses in your workplace you may find inadequacies such as people being:
- unable to see important displays;
- unable to reach controls;
- unable to work in a comfortable position;
- overloaded with too much information at one time;
- inattentive because there is too little to do.
The people who do a particular job are in a good position to identify especially awkward or difficult tasks, but remember that they may have become used to poor design over time. Some jobs may be known to be excessively tiring, or liable to cause aches and pains. Make-shift adaptations to machines - for example lengthened levers, extra labels on switches, blocks of wood or cushions used to alter working positions - can be an indication that the design of the equipment or the job needs attention.
Similarly, medical and absence records may reveal patterns of injury or complaint that could be associated with particular jobs or tasks.
What can I do if I think there is an ergonomics problem in my workplace?
A minor alteration may be all that is necessary to make a task easier and safer to perform: for instance, height-adjustable chairs to enable individual operators to work at their preferred work height; platforms to help operators to reach badly located controls (but beware of allowing access to danger points). If shadows or overall lighting levels are a problem, local lighting for particular tasks may be an easily adopted solution.
Always make sure that any alterations are properly evaluated by the people who do the job and be careful that a change introduced to solve one problem does not cause difficulties elsewhere.
Where a straightforward solution does not seem possible, and radical redesign seems to be called for, you should consult the appropriate experts.
Where should I go for further information?
For names of ergonomics practitioners:
The Ergonomics Society Department of Human Sciences University of Technology Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU.
This information is reproduced from a leaflet published by the Health and Safety Executive
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