Ergonomics

Definition

Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging workplaces, products, and systems to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. It focuses on enhancing efficiency, productivity, and safety by considering the physical, cognitive, and organizational factors that influence human-system interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ergonomics aims to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries, by optimizing the fit between the worker and their work environment.
2. Proper ergonomic design can improve worker productivity, reduce absenteeism, and lower the costs associated with workplace injuries.
3. Ergonomic principles are applied in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, office environments, healthcare, and transportation.
4. Anthropometric data, such as body dimensions and strength capabilities, are used to design workstations, tools, and equipment that accommodate the physical needs of users.
5. Cognitive ergonomics considers how mental processes, such as decision-making and information processing, can be supported through effective interface design and task organization.

Review Questions

• Explain how ergonomics can contribute to improved worker productivity and safety in a manufacturing setting.
  • In a manufacturing setting, ergonomic principles can be applied to design workstations, tools, and equipment that minimize physical strain and fatigue on workers. By optimizing the fit between the worker and their work environment, ergonomics can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and repetitive strain injuries. This, in turn, can lead to increased worker productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower costs associated with workplace injuries. Ergonomic design also considers cognitive factors, such as the layout of controls and displays, to enhance the worker's ability to efficiently and safely perform their tasks.
• Describe how anthropometric data is used in the ergonomic design of a computer workstation.
  • Anthropometric data, which includes measurements of the human body's physical dimensions and capabilities, is essential for the ergonomic design of computer workstations. By understanding the range of user sizes and their corresponding reach, strength, and mobility characteristics, designers can create workstations that accommodate a diverse population. This may involve adjustable chair heights, keyboard and mouse positions, and monitor placements to ensure that users can maintain a neutral body posture and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal issues. Incorporating anthropometric data into the design process helps to optimize the fit between the worker and their work environment, promoting comfort, productivity, and overall well-being.
• Analyze how the principles of cognitive ergonomics can be applied to the design of a user interface for a complex control system, such as an aircraft cockpit or a nuclear power plant control room.
  • The principles of cognitive ergonomics are crucial in the design of user interfaces for complex control systems, such as aircraft cockpits or nuclear power plant control rooms. These interfaces must be designed to support the mental processes of the operators, including perception, attention, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. Cognitive ergonomics considerations may include the layout and grouping of controls and displays to minimize cognitive load, the use of intuitive and consistent visual cues, the incorporation of feedback mechanisms to confirm user actions, and the implementation of error-prevention strategies. By applying these principles, the interface design can enhance the operator's ability to quickly and accurately process information, make informed decisions, and respond effectively to changing conditions, ultimately improving system safety and performance.

Related terms

Human Factors: The study of how humans interact with products, environments, and systems, with the goal of improving usability, safety, and performance.

Anthropometry: The measurement of the physical dimensions and capabilities of the human body, used in ergonomic design to accommodate user needs.

Cognitive Ergonomics: The branch of ergonomics that focuses on mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, and how they influence the interaction between humans and systems.