Therblig: The system of symbols that represent

every elementary of hand / arm and

eye movements

Types
1) Motions required for performing an operation
2) Motions that tend to slow down type 1 motion
3) Motions that do not perform an operation

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 1
Vellore
 Therbligs
• Therbligs are the smallest units of work. They were
developed by Frank Gilbreth, one of the fathers of
ergonomics, the science of motion
• For example, if you need to check off a box on a
form, you need to look for the pencil, reach for the
pencil, pick it up, maybe change your grip, move it to
the paper, make the check mark, then take the pencil
to its resting place and put it down. Each of these
tiny steps is a therblig.

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 2
Vellore
 Transport empty
Grasp
Transport loaded (carry)
Position
Use
Assemble
Disassemble
Release load
Inspect
Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,
13-10-2021 3
Vellore
 Search
Find*
Select
Plan (person thinking)
Pre-position (set up)

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 4
Vellore
 Hold
Unavoidable delay
Avoidable delay (standby)
Rest

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 5
Vellore
 17 Therbligs
1. Transport empty (TE) – reach for an object
2. Grasp (G) – grasp an object
3. Transport loaded (TL) – move an object with
hand and arm
4. Hold (H) – hold an object
5. Release load (RL) – release control of an object
6. Use (U) – manipulate a tool
Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,
13-10-2021 7
Vellore
 17 Therbligs (continued)
7. Pre-position (PP) – position object for next operation

8. Position (P) – position object in defined location

9. Assemble (A) – join two parts

10. Disassemble (DA) – separate multiple parts that were

previously joined

11. Search (Sh) – attempt to find an object using eyes or

hand

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 8
Vellore
 17 Therbligs (continued)
12. Select (St) – choose among several objects in a
group
13. Plan (Pn) – decide on an action
14. Inspect (I) – determine quality of object
15. Unavoidable delay (UD) – waiting due to factors
beyond worker control
16. Avoidable delay (AD) – worker waiting
17. Rest (R) – resting to overcome fatigue

Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,

13-10-2021 9
Vellore
 Dr.T.Sampath Kumar, Asso. Prof. SMEC, VIT,
13-10-2021 10
Vellore