Work Study Ergonomics-: Ergonomics Is Science of Designing, The Workplace, Keeping in Mind The Capabilities and

INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT
WORK STUDY
Ergonomics-
Ergonomics is science of designing, the workplace, keeping in mind the capabilities and
limitations of the worker. Poor worksite design leads to fatigued, frustrated and hurting
workers. This rarely leads to the most productive worker. More likely, it leads to a
painful and costly injury, lower productivity and poor product quality.
Ergonomics; Risk factors-
Risk factors related to work activity and ergonomics can make it more difficult to

maintain this balance, and increase the probability that some individuals may develop a
MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorders).
Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Semester -5- lesson – Work Study Page 1
The major workplace ergonomic risk factors to consider are:
1. High Task Repetition

2. Forceful Exertions
3. Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures
4. Contact stress
5. Static loading
6. Vibration
1. High Task Repetition-Many work tasks and cycles are repetitive in nature, and are
frequently controlled by hourly or daily production targets and work processes. High task
repetition, when combined with other risks factors such high force and/or awkward
postures, can contribute to the formation of MSD. A job is considered highly repetitive if
the cycle time is 30 seconds or less.
2. Forceful Exertions-Many work tasks require high force loads on the human body.
Muscle effort increases in response to high force requirements, increasing associated
fatigue which can lead to MSD.
3. Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures- Awkward postures place excessive force on

joints and overload the muscles and tendons around the effected joint. Joints of the body
are most efficient when they operate closest to the mid-range motion of the joint. Risk of
MSD is increased when joints are worked outside of this mid-range repetitively or for
sustained periods of time without adequate recovery time.
4. Contact stress -The term ‘contact stress’ has recently been used extensively in some
widely available documents as pertaining to computer use and identified as a significant
injury risk factor for computer users.
Contact stress is defined in the OSHA Computer workstations e-Tools (2003) document
as
“Internal stress occurs when a tendon, nerve, or blood vessel is stretched or bent around a
bone or tendon. External contact stress occurs when part of your body rubs against a
component of the workstation, such as the chair seat pan or edge of the desk. Nerves may
be irritated or blood vessels constricted as a result.”
5. Static loading - Static loading when forces and torques (is a measure of how much
force on an object causes that object rotate) are applied for prolonged periods of time
without sufficient rest should be minimized. Excessive static loading can lead to fatigue,
decreased performance levels, constant tension in the muscles and discomfort.

6. Vibration-Ergonomics and the effects of vibration in hand-intensive work. It is also

known that vibration reduces tactility and that tactility affects the amount of force
exerted to hold or manipulate a given object. For localized vibration exposure of the
hand and arm to occur, the hand must grip a vibrating object.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and loss of nerve sensitivity. The hand- arm

vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a painful and potentially disabling condition of the
fingers, hands, and arms due to vibration. There is initially a tingling sensation with
numbness in the fingers.


Ergonomic principles that contribute to good workplace design-

The goal for the design of workplaces is to design for as many people as possible and to
have an understanding of the Ergonomic principles of posture and movement which play
a central role in the provision of a safe, healthy and comfortable work environment.
Posture and movement at work will be dictated by the task and the workplace, the body’s
muscles, ligaments and joints are involved in adopting posture, carrying out a movement
and applying a force. The muscles provide the force necessary to adopt a posture or make
a movement. Poor posture and movement can contribute to local mechanical stress on the
muscles, ligaments and joints, resulting in complaints of the neck, back, shoulder, wrist
and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.
Ergonomic principles provide possibilities for optimizing tasks in the workplace
Principles of ergonomics-
1. Work in neutral postures.

2. Keep everything in easy reach.
3. Reduce excessive force.
4. Work at proper height.
5. Reduce excessive motion.
6. Move, exercise and stretch.
7. Avoid excessive weight.
8. Maintain a comfortable environment.
Benefits of ergonomics-
1. Ergonomics reduces costs.

2. Ergonomics improves productivity
3. Ergonomics improves quality
4. Ergonomics improves employee engagement
5. Ergonomics creates a better safety culture.

Ergonomic Description
principle
Joints must In the neutral position the
be in a muscles and ligaments,
neutral which span the joints, are
position stretched to the least
possible extent
Keep work If the work is too far

close to the from the body, the arms
body will be outstretched and
the trunk bent over
forwards
Avoid The upper part of the

bending body of an adult weighs
forward about 40kg on average.
The further the trunk is
bent forwards, the harder
it is for the muscles and
ligaments of the back to
maintain the upper body
in balance

A twisted Twisted postures of the

trunk strains trunk cause undesirable
the back stress to the spine
Alternate No posture or movement

posture as should be maintained for
well as a long period of time.
movements Prolonged postures and
repetitive movements are
tiring.
It is necessary to limit the

Avoid extent of forward and
excessive sideways reaches to
reaches avoid having to bend
over or twist the trunk
Avoid The hands and elbows

carrying out should be well below
tasks above shoulder level when
shoulder carrying out a task
level

Limit the Follow the figure

weight of a presented as per men and
load that is women.
lifted
Use Many lifting accessories

mechanical are available to help lift
aids and move loads
Avoid When only one hand is

carrying used to carry a load, the
loads with body is subject to
one hand mechanical stress

Use There are a large number

transport of accessories such as
accessories roller conveyors,
conveyor belts, trolleys
and mobile raising
platforms, which
eliminate or reduce
manual handling.
@@@@@@@
Organization’s goal-
 Finding the guest and retaining them. For this, continually provide maximum
value for money (VFM) to the guest to sustain highest level of guest satisfaction.
 Improving overall productivity and thereby, minimizing the overall costs as much
below the price as possible and thus maximizing profits.
Value for Money to Customers (VFM)
Value for Money (VFM) = (Total quality “Q” x Total service inclusive of pre, during
and post customer service “S” x Relationship with customers “R”) divided by (Price “P”
x Lead times “L”)- Q x S x R/ P x L
Therefore, value for money to guests should be continually enhanced by continual

improvements in-
 Quality.
 Price: price being normally an outcome of the market forces of supply and
demand, in order to make profits the overall costs should be kept well below those
price levels.
 Delivery.
 Service and relations.

Productivity
Productivity is the measure of output per unit of input.
Therefore, the equation for productivity = Output quantity/ Input quantity
It is important that the output should be an acceptable output to the users or customers.
So enters the quality. Therefore, in order to reckon and emphasize qualitative changes in
output and input, the equation of productivity will read as given below:
Productivity = Output quality and quantity/ Input quality and quantity
Productivity, thus, can be improved by three ways:
 Increase output and keep input constant.

 Keep output constant and decrease input.
 Increase both, output as well as input making sure that the proportion of increase
in output is more than that of input.
Normally, outputs are: goods (products) and/or services.

Normally, inputs are various resources: man (labor), machine (equipment), material,
money (capital) and also, time and information.
@@@@@@@
Work-study may be defined as one of the management techniques, which can be applied
to achieve the optimum use of the resources available to an establishment for the
accomplishment of the work, it is engaged in.
Hence, Work Study is systematic examination of the methods of carrying on activities so
as to improve the effective use of resources and to set up standards of performance for the
activities being carried out.
It involves the study of following factors – To increase productivity by improving

efficiency and effectiveness
 People- Comfort, Ergonomics

 Machine and tools- Function, Efficiency, Output, Versatility etc

 Material-Quality, Yield
 Layout- Space management and room to Develop
 Energy-Energy Conservation
 SOP- Method
Work-study can be carried out by supervisor, managers or even by outsource expert.
Work-study comprises of two aspects: -

a) Method study (to improve ways of doing tasks)
b) Work measurement (to establish the time required for the task)
WORK
STUDY
METHOD
WORK
STUDY
MEASUREMENT
To improve ways of doing work To establish allowed time for the

work
Better utilization of
resources
Greater efficiency
Higher productivity
REDUCTION IN COST

A good combination of both gives success.
The aim of work-study is: -

IMROVE-
 Working conditions
 Methods of work
 Design of equipment
 Staffing
 Work- (performance and productivity standard)
REDUCE-
 Cost
 Fatigue
 Labor turnover
 Rate of accident
 Complaints and grievances
 Wastage
@@@@@@@
METHOD STUDY
This is a detailed analysis of the present or the proposed method of carrying out a task as
a basis for improvement. It concerns finding or evolving better ways of doing the work,
and contributes to improved efficiency and morale.
Method study is the systematic recording and critical examination of existing and
proposed ways of doing work, as a means of developing and applying easier and more
effective methods and reducing costs.
Objectives of Method Study
 Improvement in use of all the inputs i.e. men, machines, material, money and
also, time and information.
 Economy in human effort and reduction of unnecessary fatigue.
 Layout improvements.
 Improvement in design of plant and equipment.
 Improvement in safety standards and procedures.
 Development of better working environment

SELECT – The job to be studied

RECORD – All available data
EXAMIN – Each fact critically (for purpose place)
DEVELOP – The best available method
INSTALL– The development method
MAINTAIN – The installed method
Step 1-SELECT – (where some problem occurs) such as-

 Poor quality
 Delays
 High fatigue level
 Low output
 High complaints and grievances
 High turnover
 Excessive breakage
 Wastage of material
 Frequent accident
 Excessive paper work
 Low moral
 Absenteeism
 Excessive overtime
Step 2- RECORD THE FACTS-
Recording techniques for method study

1. Operation process chart: An operation process chart provides the chronological
sequence of all operations and inspections that occur in a manufacturing or business
process. Operation process chart used only two symbols, i.e., operation and inspection.
 Operation - O
 Inspection -
2. Flow process chart: A flow process chart is used for recording greater detail than is
possible in an operation process chart. It is made for each component of an assembly
rather than for the whole assembly.
Operation - O
Move -
Delay - D
Store -

Inspection -
Combined Activity -
Type of flow process chart -
 Man/ Worker type flow process chart.
o This flow process chart records what the worker does.
 Material type flow process chart.
o This flow process chart records how the material is handled or treated.
 Equipment type flow process chart
o This flow process chart records how the equipment or machine is used.
Sample for material type-

3. Flow diagram: Flow diagram is a drawing, of the working area, showing the location
of the various activities identified by their numbered symbols and are associated with
particular flow process chart either man type or machine type.The routes followed in
transport are shown by joining the symbols in sequence by a line which represents as
nearly as possible the path or movement of the subject concerned. Following are the
procedures to make the flow diagram:
1. The layout of the workplace is drawn to scale.

2. Relative positions of the machine tools, work benches, storage, and inspection
benches are marked on the scale.
3. Path followed by the subject under study is tracked by drawing lines.
4. Each movement is serially numbered and indicated by arrow for direction.
5. Different colors are used to denote different types of movements.
Flow Diagram- For e.g. - Laundry Flow Chart

Sample flow diagram-
4. String Diagram: String Diagram is a scale layout drawing on which, length of a string
is used to record the extent as well as the pattern of movement of a worker working
within a limited area during a certain period of time. It is a scale diagram on which color
threads are wrapped around pins or pegs, which are used to indicate the paths taken by
either worker or material or equipment when processing is done on material from start to
finish.
Sample String diagram:
It can also be stated that string

diagram in a special form of
flow diagram. As a thread is
used to measure distance, it is
necessary that the string
diagram should be drawn up
to scale. The same is not
necessary in case of flow
diagram.

A brief procedure for the construction of string diagram in given as follows:
 Study and record the complete information about the movement of various
resources.
 Draw a scale layout of the shop area and mark various features such as
machinery, work benches, stores etc.
 Mark and insert panel pins at all workstations between which the journeys are
made. More pegs/pins may be stretched in between the facilities to trace more or
less the actual path followed by men and materials.
 A continuous colored un-stretchable string, taken from the first to last warned to
trace the path followed by operators or materials. Use strings/ threads of different
colours if the movement of more subjects is being shown so that their movements
are easily recognized and distinguished.
 Remove the string to measure their lengths which approximately gives distances
travelled by a worker or a machine or the material.
Step 3-EXAMINE RECORD-
Examine the way the job is being performed and test its purpose, place, sequence and
method of performance. In this step, the information provided by charts and diagrams is
critically examined and screened by asking some searching questions. Like,
 What is done?
 Why it is done?
 What else might be done? Etc.
This examination is carried out with a view to eliminate, combine, rearrange and/or
simplify the activities
There are two types of questions asked:
 Primary questions
 Secondary questions
Primary questions:
Questions are asked and answers found out on:
 Purpose: for which activity is being done.

 Place: at which activity is being carried out.

 Sequence: in which activity is being performed.
 Person: by whom activity is being rendered.
 Means: by which activity is being accomplished.
Secondary Questions
During the secondary questions, answers to the primary questions are subjected to further
query to determine whether possible alternatives of place, sequence, persons and means
are practicable and preferred as a means of improvement upon the existing method.
Step 1 Purpose What is done? Why is it done? What else might What should
be done? be done?
Step 2 Place Where is it Why is it done Where else Where else

done? there? might it be should it be
done? done?
Step3. Sequence When is it Why is it done When it might When should it

done? then? be done? be done?
Step 4 Person Who does it? Why does that Who else might Who should do
person do it? do it? it?
Step 5 Means How is t done? Why is it done How else it How should it
that way? might be done? be done?
A report on new improved method should be prepared. It should include:
 Description of the method.

 Relative costs in material, labor and overheads of the new method and the existing
method and expected savings.
 Cost of installing the new method, including cost of new equipment and of re-
laying out shops or working areas.
 Diagram of the work place layout.
 Tools and equipment to be used and diagrams of jigs/fixtures etc.
 Executive actions required to implement the new method.
DEVELOP-
This primary examination is carried out with a view to-
 Eliminate,
 Combine,
 Rearrange and/or
 Simplify the activities
Develop the most practical, economical, and effective method. After critical examination
of records is complete, it is necessary to transform the learning’s into the development of
new methods. Some approaches are:
a) Eliminate unnecessary activities.
b) Combine two or more activities. For example, if one uses a combination tool for two
operations, say, facing and drilling, the total set-up time will reduce.
c) Re-arrange activities so as to reduce time and effort.
d) Simplify the activities to reduce number of operations or reduce effort etc.
Step 5-INSTALL-
Install the new method as a standard practice and train the employees involved in
applying it.
Step 6-MAINTAIN-
Maintain the new method and introduce control procedures to prevent a drifting back to
the previous method of work.
Once the new/improved method has been developed, approval should be obtained for
installation. A concise report – including expected saving in labor, material and
overheads and the cost of implementation; should be submitted as a management action
necessary for implementation.
Format of report should include- for e.g. - (floor maintenance team)

1- The objective of study; to balance the work load of the floor maintenance team
and reduce ineffective time.
2- The existing and proposed method- details of two methods described with
supporting diagrams and charts.
3- The justification of proposed method- for e.g. reduction in labor cost (using
proposed method)
Reduction in time for operative ‘A’ - 8min
Reduction in time for operative ‘B’ -8min
Total reduction in time using proposed method -16 min
Note- the same procedure is followed by 4 floor teams and it is carried out by each team-
10 times per week (52 weeks per annum)
The expected total reduction in time per annum will be-
(16 x52 x 10 x 4)=555 hours

Labor cost @33/- per hour @8000/- (8000/30=266/8=33/-) monthly salary. The expected
total reduction in labor cost will be (Rs. 33 x 555 hours) = Rs. 18,315/- Approx.
The reduction in time may be allocated to additional work or lead eventually to a

reduction of staff.
@@@@@@@
WORK MEASUREMENT
Work measurement is the assessment of the work content of a job by measuring the time
taken to carry it out. It’s the application of techniques designed to establish the time for a
qualified worker to carry out a task at a defined rate of working or at a defined level of
performance.
It measures the time taken in performance of an operation or a series of operations and in

can separate out ineffective time from effective time. Thus ineffective time can be studied
and by way of method study, the ineffective operations can be reduced or eliminated
Objectives of Work Measurement
 Finding ineffective time in an activity or a process (series of activities).

 Setting standard (norms) for output level.
 Evaluating workers’ performance.
 Assessing and planning manpower needs.
 Determining available capacity.
 Comparing various work methods.
 Facilitating operations scheduling.
 Establishing wage incentive schemes.
Some Techniques of Work Measurement
 Stop-watch time study.

 Work sampling.
 Predetermined time standards (PTS).
 Standard Data.
It is essential to understand the following concepts in order to undertake work

measurement exercise in any organization:
 Qualified worker: Qualified worker is one who is accepted as having the

necessary physical attributes, who possess the required intelligence and education
and who has acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the work in
hand to satisfactory standards of safety, quantity and quality.
 Standard rating: Rating is the assessment of the worker’s rate of working
relative to the observer’s concept of the rate corresponding to standard pace (or
standard rate).
 Standard performance (pace or rate): It is the rate of output which a qualified
worker will naturally achieve without over-exertion as an average over the
working day or shift, provided that he knows and adheres to the specified method
and provided that he is motivated to apply himself to his work. The time taken to
achieve the standard performance by the qualified worker is called “standard
time”.
Steps in making a Time Study/ Work Measurement
 Select the work to be studied.

 Ensure the job is a new one, not previously carried out.
 A change in material or method of working has been made and a new time standard is
required. . `
1. Obtain and record all available information about the job, the worker and the
surrounding conditions likely to affect the execution of the work.
2. Record the complete description of the method, break it down into elements.
3. Measure with a stopwatch and record the time taken by the worker to perform
each element of the operation.
4. Assess the rating of the worker. There are several methods of performance rating.
Standard performance is denoted as 100%. A performance rating greater than
100% means the worker's performance is more than standard, and less than 100%
means the worker's performance is less than standard. Rating is done between 0-
100.
5. Extend the observed time to “basic time” by factorizing the actual time (observed
time) by the assessed rating.
6. Determine the allowances to be made over and above the “basic time” for the
operation.
7. Apply those allowances on the “basic time”.
8. Thus, determine the “standard time” for the operation.
Basic time-

The whole work is repeated several times and the timing recorded each time, in order to
arrive at an average figure. The time you get for a particular element is called the basic
time. The time is likely to vary between a fast and a slow worker. Therefore, the time is
established of an average worker. Hence the term rating is used. Rating is the ratio of the
rate of working of the individual worker under study to the observer’s concept of the
standard average rate.
Allowance refers to -
•Personal time allowance: 4% -7% of total time -use of restroom, drinking water, etc.
•Fatigue allowance-to compensate for physical or mental strain, noise level, tediousness,
heat and humidity, assumption of an abnormal position, etc.
•Delay allowance-based upon actual delays that occur.
Standard time = observed time + rating factor + Personal allowance + Fatigue allowance
+ delay allowance + work related contingency allowance.
A few minutes every day and an hour or so every week working with time and
motion study experiments can produce a dramatic change in your/ organization’s
productivity.
________________________________@@@@@@@__________________________
Reference and authorship

 Sources
o From book –
Hotel Housekeeping operations and management by G. Raghubalan and S.
Raghubalan
o From website
http://www.printablecontracts.com/Cleaning_Contract.php
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.net/index.php/2010/03/16/work-study-method-study-
and-work-measurement/
http://www.iitg.ac.in/spal/Work%20study.pdf
http://www.slideshare.net/vishakeb/work-study-presentation-650617
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/ergonomics/method-study/string-diagram-
procedure-and-purpose-of-string-diagram/34479/
http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2013/11/an-overview-of-work-study-in-textile.html
 Authorship
Creator of handout: Rita Mitra, IHM, Kolkata


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INSTITUTE OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Ergonomics; Risk factors-

Risk factors related to work activity and ergonomics can make it more difficult to

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

The major workplace ergonomic risk factors to consider are:

1. High Task Repetition

3. Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures- Awkward postures place excessive force on

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

6. Vibration-Ergonomics and the effects of vibration in hand-intensive work. It is also

Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and loss of nerve sensitivity. The hand- arm

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Ergonomic principles that contribute to good workplace design-

1. Work in neutral postures.

1. Ergonomics reduces costs.

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Keep work If the work is too far

Avoid The upper part of the

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

A twisted Twisted postures of the

Alternate No posture or movement

It is necessary to limit the

Avoid The hands and elbows

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Limit the Follow the figure

Use Many lifting accessories

Avoid When only one hand is

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Use There are a large number

Value for Money to Customers (VFM)

Therefore, value for money to guests should be continually enhanced by continual

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Productivity is the measure of output per unit of input.

Therefore, the equation for productivity = Output quantity/ Input quantity

Productivity = Output quality and quantity/ Input quality and quantity

Productivity, thus, can be improved by three ways:

 Increase output and keep input constant.

Normally, outputs are: goods (products) and/or services.

It involves the study of following factors – To increase productivity by improving

 People- Comfort, Ergonomics

 Machine and tools- Function, Efficiency, Output, Versatility etc

Work-study can be carried out by supervisor, managers or even by outsource expert.

Work-study comprises of two aspects: -

To improve ways of doing work To establish allowed time for the

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

A good combination of both gives success.

The aim of work-study is: -

Objectives of Method Study

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

SELECT – The job to be studied

Step 1-SELECT – (where some problem occurs) such as-

Step 2- RECORD THE FACTS-

Recording techniques for method study

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

Sample for material type-

Course: B.SC. In H & HA July ’18

1. The layout of the workplace is drawn to scale.