Workplace Ergonomics: Difference between revisions
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In HF/E , the concept of Organizational ergonomics stands above and shifts the understanding from individual - centric micro ergonomics to organisational and system - centric macro ergonomics. This does not mean that the individual level micro ergonomics has to be neglected. Rather is promotes effective macro ergonomic designs by focussing on the micro ergonomic design and provides optimal ergonomic compatibility of different components with the system structure as a whole<ref>Thatcher A, Waterson P, Todd A, Moray N. State of Science: ergonomics and global issues. Ergonomics. 2018 Feb 1;61(2):197-213.</ref> | In HF/E , the concept of Organizational ergonomics stands above and shifts the understanding from individual - centric micro ergonomics to organisational and system - centric macro ergonomics. This does not mean that the individual level micro ergonomics has to be neglected. Rather is promotes effective macro ergonomic designs by focussing on the micro ergonomic design and provides optimal ergonomic compatibility of different components with the system structure as a whole<ref>Thatcher A, Waterson P, Todd A, Moray N. State of Science: ergonomics and global issues. Ergonomics. 2018 Feb 1;61(2):197-213.</ref> | ||
HF/E apart from looking at work systems like workers and organizations, also focuses on products i.e. consumer, services and business goods. It focuses on all kinds of activities beyond paid workers and includes stakeholders like users, consumers, citizens, patients etc with different charactersitics in all different types of domestic, leisure, sports, transport and other environments<ref>Dul J, Bruder R, Buckle P, Carayon P, Falzon P, Marras WS, Wilson JR, Van der Doelen B. A strategy for human factors/ergonomics: developing the discipline and profession. Ergonomics. 2012 Apr 1;55(4):377-95.</ref> | |||
Latest revision as of 20:59, 9 June 2024
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In 1857, Wojciech Jastrzębowski, in his book "An outline of Ergonomics, or the Science of Work" written in Polish first coined the word " Ergonomics". This term is derived from Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (laws)[1]. There are several definitions of ergonomics documented in literature. The terms "ergonomics" and "human factors" can be interchangeably used where the former originated in Europe and the latter is used in America[1] . According to the major definitions, ergonomics is both a science and technology. A science that instills fundamental learning and a technology which raises problems of design. This means that understanding of ergonomics contains all the elements of total human - environment system[2]317 million people across the world suffer irreparable loss of life and property every year as per the reports of International Labor Organization (ILO). Approximately 2.3 million people die every year due to work related accidents or illness. Financial losses up to 4% of global gross domestic product (GDP)[3]
Studies have shown that major cause of musculoskeletal disorders are due to ergonomic risk factors at work place. This is due to factors like high repetition, excessive forces and awkward postures. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability especially in their working years causing lost earnings and worker compensation claims[4]
Contextual Factors for Workplace Ergonomics[edit | edit source]
Application of ergonomics involves real life settings. Hence application of ergonomic findings in practice needs a good grasp of context at individual and societal levels. Contextual factors for the application of ergonomics at various levels involves financial, technological, legal, organizational, social, political and professional factors[2]Due to work and workplace environment barriers like noise, light, postures, load, pace and work content, problems like quality deficiencies, human errors and ergonomic problems arise. This affects satisfaction and wellbeing of a person. To achieve this, the environment should be such that possibility of performing to a high standard at work is provided[5]
Workplace stress puts a lot of pressure on a person. People suffer from confusion, worry, and anxiety are caused due to change in job. This is attributed to change in organization, salary, promotions, increase or decrease in work force and social changes[6] Work itself can be a major source of stress[7]
Working conditions affect a person can have a positive or negative effect and can affect them psychologically. This can affect the productivity of the organization. Studies have shown significant relationship between physical factors, ergonomics and job satisfaction of employees. There has been an association found between physical, environmental, safety, and psychological aspects of ergonomics and job satisfaction of employees [3]
Faulty Ergonomics leading to Musculoskeletal Problems[edit | edit source]
Persistently working with a faulty body position during work leads to Musculoskeletal problems. These positions are described as under and assumed while doing work[3]
- Hands above the head or arms above the shoulder for more than two hours a day
- Hand/s below knee for more than two hours a day
- Bent neck or back over 20 degrees for more than two hours a day
- Hunchback position for more than two hours a day
- Working on knees for more than 2 hours a day
- Working in a sitting position without back support or leg support as it applies static load on the muscles of lower limbs.
- Sitting with elbows high or too far from the body
- Working in small confined spaces such that joints are in full flexion or extension for prolonged periods
- Performing repetitive or prolonged movements. These movements puts pressure on muscles and tendons. Severity of this depends on repetition of activity, speed of movement, number of muscles involved, the force needed and body position while working. For example - Repetitive wrist movements with wrist extension more than 45 degrees and wrist flexion more than 30 degrees.
- Using keyboard, mouse or calculator in a steady state for more than four hours a day
Principles of ergonomics at Workplace[edit | edit source]
Following care must be taken while at work[3]
- Work tools can be arranged such that they are easily accessible
- Performing work tasks at / from the right appropriate height
- Reduce excessive force
- Take care of work posture
- Reduce excessive repetitions
- Minimize fatigue
- Minimize direct contact pressure between body and work equipment
- Adjust / Change the work position frequently during the work shift
- Remove obstacles and provide easy access
- Work environment must be comfortable and airy
- Cordial atmosphere and good participation at work place
- Improve and upgrade work organization
Fourth Industrial Revolution and Ergonomics[edit | edit source]
With the advances in the technology development, manufacturing process becomes more efficient. But it brings changes in work pattern and this in turn can endanger employee well-being and puts their existing skills and knowledge on stake[8]We are into an era of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). In 2011, Germany introduced the concept of Industry 4.0[9]. Industry 4.0 is the result of development of information and communications technologies and rapid technological development[10]. Technological development such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, cyber-physical systems, cloud computing, rapid rise in automation and robotics in the manufacturing industry[9][10]. With the development in production technology, there has been an obligation to human safety at work which makes manufacturing work task safer in terms of occupational accidents and diseases[11]Inspite of all this, technological development has not been able to solve all existing challenges of worker's health, safety and workplace productivity[8]. To overcome this challenge, scientific discipline of Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) is introduced. It is a scientific discipline to optimize simultaneously overall system performance and human well-being in different work contexts[8].
Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E)[edit | edit source]
HF/E is a design-oriented framework that is used for improving compatibility, effectiveness, safety, ease of performance, well-being of humans and quality of life[12]It is a scientific discipline that applies theoretical principles, data, nethods and enables understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. Basics of anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics related to activities performed by workers / stakeholders are considered. Apart from Physical functions, cognitive ergonomics that focuses on mental processes like perception, memory, information processing, reasoning and responses are also taken into account to some extent[8]
Strategies of ergonomics-[edit | edit source]
According to the International Ergonomics Association (IEA, 2000) there are three broad categories of ergonomic specialization: physical ergonomics, cognitive ergonomics and organizational ergonomics which can be further grouped into microergonomics and macroergonomics[13]
- Micro ergonomics Strategy - This strategy focuses on the man - machine system where the prime focus is on the improvement of workspace, interface design to prevent risk in the system's routine functioning. It relies on three fields - anthropometrics, physiology and cognitive psychology[14]
- Macro ergonomics strategy - This strategy aims at enhancing the socio-technical system and studying the effect of organizational structures on human behaviour and safety. It has a focus of improving the system as a whole. It acts on the number, training and satisfaction of staff members, equipment quality and maintenance, improving physical environment, quality of work processes and sufficient quality and quantity of economic production and thus it is an approach of the design of socio-technical systems[14]
- Meso ergonomics strategy - defined as an open systems approach to human factors and ergonomics (HFE) theory and research . Here the relationship between the variables in atleast two different system levels is studied where the dependent variables are human factors and ergonomic constructs[13]. It is a multilevel interpretation of the relationship between the two and provides insights into the safety of the system as a whole [15]
In HF/E , the concept of Organizational ergonomics stands above and shifts the understanding from individual - centric micro ergonomics to organisational and system - centric macro ergonomics. This does not mean that the individual level micro ergonomics has to be neglected. Rather is promotes effective macro ergonomic designs by focussing on the micro ergonomic design and provides optimal ergonomic compatibility of different components with the system structure as a whole[16]
HF/E apart from looking at work systems like workers and organizations, also focuses on products i.e. consumer, services and business goods. It focuses on all kinds of activities beyond paid workers and includes stakeholders like users, consumers, citizens, patients etc with different charactersitics in all different types of domestic, leisure, sports, transport and other environments[17]
Resources[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zunjic A. A new definition of ergonomics. IETI transactions on ergonomics and safety. 2017 Mar 1;1(1):1-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wilson JR. Fundamentals of ergonomics in theory and practice. Applied ergonomics. 2000 Dec 1;31(6):557-67.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bafghi BN, Karevan H. What is ergonomics, and why is ergonomics necessary at work?.
- ↑ Genaidy AM, Al-Shedi AA, Shell RL. Ergonomic risk assessment: preliminary guidelines for analysis of repetition, force and posture. Journal of human ergology. 1993 Jun 15;22(1):45-55.
- ↑ Eklund J. Ergonomics, quality and continuous improvementconceptual and empirical relationships in an industrial context. Ergonomics. 1997 Oct 1;40(10):982-1001.
- ↑ Alavi SS, Jnty-Fard F, Davoudi A. Review and compare mental health and burnout in staff and workers of Saipa. Engineering and Related Industries. 2009;6(1):21-5.
- ↑ GhR D. Investigating the relationship between emotional intelligence and time management with job stress in high school teachers. News and consulting researches. 2004;4(12):53-64.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Reiman A, Kaivo-oja J, Parviainen E, Takala EP, Lauraeus T. Human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing in the industry 4.0 context–A scoping review. Technology in Society. 2021 May 1;65:101572.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Liao Y, Deschamps F, Loures ED, Ramos LF. Past, present and future of Industry 4.0-a systematic literature review and research agenda proposal. International journal of production research. 2017 Jun 18;55(12):3609-29.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Rojko A. Industry 4.0 concept: Background and overview. International journal of interactive mobile technologies. 2017 Nov 1;11(5).
- ↑ Carayon P, Hancock P, Leveson N, Noy I, Sznelwar L, Van Hootegem G. Advancing a sociotechnical systems approach to workplace safety–developing the conceptual framework. Ergonomics. 2015 Apr 3;58(4):548-64.
- ↑ Karwowski W. Ergonomics and human factors: the paradigms for science, engineering, design, technology and management of human-compatible systems. Ergonomics. 2005 Apr 15;48(5):436-63.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Karsh BT, Waterson P, Holden RJ. Crossing levels in systems ergonomics: a framework to support ‘mesoergonomic’inquiry. Applied ergonomics. 2014 Jan 1;45(1):45-54.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Morel G, Amalberti R, Chauvin C. How good micro/macro ergonomics may improve resilience, but not necessarily safety. Safety science. 2009 Feb 1;47(2):285-94.
- ↑ Fray M, Waterson P, Munro C. Macro and micro ergonomic outcomes in healthcare: Unraveling the relationship between patient handling performance and safety climate. IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors. 2015 Jan 2;3(1):58-71.
- ↑ Thatcher A, Waterson P, Todd A, Moray N. State of Science: ergonomics and global issues. Ergonomics. 2018 Feb 1;61(2):197-213.
- ↑ Dul J, Bruder R, Buckle P, Carayon P, Falzon P, Marras WS, Wilson JR, Van der Doelen B. A strategy for human factors/ergonomics: developing the discipline and profession. Ergonomics. 2012 Apr 1;55(4):377-95.
