CH- 6

ERGONOMICS
 Introduction
• The word 'Ergonomics' owes its origin to two
Greek words; ERGOS meaning Work and
NOMOS meaning Study.
• The ILO definition is:- Ergonomics is the
application of the human biological sciences in
conjunction with engineering sciences to the
worker and his working environment, so as to
obtain maximum satisfaction for the worker
and at the same time enhance productivity.
• Thus, the objective of Ergonomics is two fold:
(a) Worker Satisfaction
(b) Enhanced productivity.
 Introduction
• Ergonomics achieves the above by the study of
conditions in which people work most effectively
and comfortably with machines. It aims at
making the working environment synergtical to
the human activities and thus improving overall
labor productivity.
• Ergonomics covers a very wide area starting
from initial conceptual design stage to ultimate
production facilities. It helps create better
working conditions by suggesting:
(a) The best way of using human body.
(b) The best way of arranging the workplace.
(c) The best design of tools and equipment.

 
 Use of Ergonomics
• Today the market has changed from a seller's
market to buyer's market; and productivity has
become a buzzword.
• The Principles of Ergonomics help in
improving the labor productivity giving the
competitive edge to the organization.
• The age-old concept of finding a worker to do
a job is no longer valid.
• The modern concept is to design the job to
suit the worker.
• Job satisfaction & Job interest are the two
vital ingredients to obtain better labor
productivity.
 Use of Ergonomics
• It is an established fact that uncongenial working
conditions affect productivity adversely.
• A worker's interest in his job depends to a great
extent on how comfortable the workplace is.
• Ergonomics not only 'helps in creating a better
working environment, it also motivates workers
as human comfort is given the priority while
applying this principle.
Ergonomics and Workplace Design
• Shalini was waiting for Sachin , the interior decorator. Two days earlier, he had given her a
interior design catalogue. Shalini went through it, but none of the designs appealed to her.
She called Sachin to discuss the design.

• You have seen some of my best work, Sachin started, but it seems you did not like a single
design!

• Well the designs are excellent, but I didn’t find anyone suitable for my kitchen. It seems all
of them are somewhat Westernized," replied Shalini.
Ergonomics and Workplace Design

• “What do you mean by Westernized ?

“Look, I am a short lady of five feet and two inches.
The kitchen platforms that your designs show are
for American housewives who are much taller than
us. With this height, I will have to put a stool under
my feet", replied Shalini.
• “Then should I reduce height to say two feet
“Sachin asked.
• No, then I will have to bend every time and within
a year I will become a patient of spondilietes. I
think a height of two feet and eight or nine inches
should suit me.»
• Well do you have any other suggestion?"
Ergonomics and Workplace Design

• Yes I do. replied Shalini. As I am a left handed

person, I want the wash basin on the left side of the
platform. Also) I don)t want to keep spoons, knifes,
forks etc. in one drawer because it takes time to
take them out when they are needed urgently.
• O.k. I will give you a fixture or stand where you can
keep these things. And the stand will be kept so
that your hand can reach it easily i.e. a place for
everything and everything in place, said Sachin.
• There must be proper light on the table but the
glare should not reduce the visibility. The kitchen
must also be properly ventilated Shalini continued.
Ergonomics and Workplace Design

• Then I will put the tube lights on right or left side

and not in the front or back side. And provide a
exhaust fan for ventilation. Do you want any
particular design for the platform, asked Sachin.
• Yes, I want the platform to slope towards the
basin so that the water will not accumulate on it
and I can keep it clean and dry it without much
effort.
• Sachin carefully noted down all the suggestions.
Anything else madam he asked winding up.
Ergonomics and Workplace Design

• Nothing special but remember that kitchen is my

workplace and it must be designed to suit me so
that 1 can work comfortably, Shalini concluded
their conversation.
 Ergonomics & Product or Equipment
Design
• My new client Shalini was telling me to design her
kitchen with emphasis on the comfort of use. She
mentioned that her kitchen was her workplace and
I was reminded of the principles of Ergonomics that
you were talking about the other day. Sachin was
talking to his friend Parag a management student.
• Yes housewives seem to have this knack of using
our management principles in their everyday work
and they call it common sense. By the way we also
use the Principles of Ergonomics for product or
equipment design. replied Parag.
• Tell me more, said Sachin
 Product or Equipment Design
• The same principles are used in designing a product
or a tool giving priority to human comfort. We try to
synchronize the functional requirements of a product
with that of the human capacity said Parag.
• Please explain with an example. urged Sachin.
• “O.K. Take the case of the car itself. Now Steering is
a continuous operation while you are driving and it
demands a certain amount of skill. Hence steering is a
hand operation.
• Now other operations like using the brake or the
clutch are intermittent and demand a certain amount-
of force which can only be applied with the feet and
hence these are foot operated. Also note that the
brake and the clutch are positioned in a such a way
that the foot gets a leverage while applying pressure
on them.
 Product or Equipment Design
• This sounds interesting exclaimed Sachin, are there
any other aspects of ergonomics used in designing
the car?
• Yes. Look at the driving seat. It is made adjustable
so that people of different heights can drive
comfortably. Also the design and position of the seat
enables the driver to hold the steering wheel and
use his feet for brake and clutch very comfortably.
You will also observe that the horn is fixed on the
steering wheel so that the driver doesn’t have to
make much of a hand movement to horn.
• So, you cannot change the design of the product.
Sachin was worried.
 Product or Equipment Design
• Nothing stops you from innovating and
improving. replied Parag. But all your product
innovations must be backed by proper
Ergonomic study; or else your customers will
reject your product calling it inconvenient.
• Sachin nodded his head in agreement.
 Factors of Consideration
• To produce a workplace that will give the minimum
amount of strain to the worker, Ergonomics takes
into account the following three factors.
• Anthropometric Data
• Human Activity Analysis
• Primary Motion Study
• 11.6.1 Anthropometric Data
• Anthropometry is the study of measurement of
physical features of human beings. It also studies
the strength of various muscles and ranges of body
movement. These features and functions are
subject to variation according to age, gender, race
etc. Data on these features is called Anthropometric
data.
 
 Factors of Consideration
• The data on human body dimensions are of two
types:
(a) Structural Dimensions
• These are the body dimensions of a person in
static condition. There are two static conditions,
namely sitting and standing. The example of a
structural dimension of 'standing' is height of a
person when he stands in the erect position.
 Factors of Consideration
(b) Functional Dimensions
• These are the body dimensions of a person
while in motion. These are more important
than the structural dimensions as most of
the working conditions are dynamic in
nature. One such example of functional
dimension is an 'overhead reach' .
Overhead reach is defined as the reach of
an erect standing person when he raises
the hand straight .
 Factors of Consideration
2 Human Activity Analysis
• In order to reduce the strain c~1Used by the work requirement, the
desired human activities are analyzed. The activities are analyzed on
the following basis:
(a) Movements:
• This analyzes movement of different body parts.
(b) Human Strength and Endurance:
• Appropriate activities are assigned to appropriate muscle groups to
reduce the strain,
(c) Speed and Accuracy:
• Different limb movements are capable of giving different speed and
accuracy
• e.g. In a manual sewing machine, the pedal is operated by the feet,
which provides the force, to produce the necessary speed; whereas
the cloth is held by the hands as accuracy is then better achieved.
 Principles of Motion Economy
• These are a set of rules developed by Frank B.
Gilbreth. They achieve economy in movements
and reduce fatigue. They also help in developing
improved methods of working.

• These principles are divided under three heads:

(a) Principles Concerning the use of human body.
(b) Principles concerning the design of workplace.
(c) Principles concerning the design of tools and
equipment.
 Principles concerning use of
Human Body
(1) The two hands should begin as well as
complete their motions at the same time.
(2) The two hands should not be idle at the same
time except during the rest period.
(3) Motion of the arms should be made in opposite
and symmetrical direction & should be made
simultaneously.
(4) Ballistic movements are faster and more
accurate than restricted or controlled
movements.
 Principles concerning use of
Human Body
(5) Work should be structured to permit easy
and natural rhythm wherever possible.
(6) Eye fixation should be as little and as
close together as possible.
 Principles concerning design of
workplace
1. There should be a definite & fixed place for all
tools & materials.
2. Tools, materials & controls should be located
close to the point of use.
3. Gravity feed bins & containers should be used
to deliver material close to the point of use.
4. Drop deliveries should be used wherever
possible.
5. Materials & tools should be located so as permit
the best sequence of motion.
6. Provisions should be made for adequate
conditions for seeing.
 Principles concerning design of
workplace
7. Good illumination is the first requirement
for satisfactory visual perception.
8. The height of workplace & the chair
should be so arranged that it suits
maximum number of workmen.
9. A chair of the type & height to permit good
posture, should be provided for every
worker.
 Principles Concerning Design
Of Tools & Equipment:
1. The hand should be relieved of all work that can be
done more advantageously by jigs or fixtures.
2. Two or more tools should be combined whenever
possible.
3. Tools and materials should be pre-positioned whenever
possible.
4. Where each finger performs some specific function
such as in typewriting, the load should be distributed in
accordance with the inherent capacities of the fingers.
5. Levers, crossbars & hand-wheels should be located in
such positions that the operator can manipulate them
with the least change in body position & with the
greatest mechanical advantage.