ERGONOMICS

(ASPECTS IN WORKSTATION DESIGN

AND ANALYSIS)

Chandrakanth.C S1 M.Tech Roll No:01

mail me @ geothomasseril@gmail.com 1

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Contents Definition ObjectivesFields interact with ergonomicsImportanceErgonomic approaches Advantages & DisadvantagesApplicationsConclusion

ERGONOMICS

DERIVED FROM GREEK WORDS

ERGO + NOMOS = ERGONOMICS “work” + “laws” = “ laws of work ”

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ERGONOMICS - DEFINITION

SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF HUMAN WORK

 "DESIGNING THE JOB TO FIT THE WORKER ,

NOT FORCING THE WORKER TO FIT THE JOB“

SCIENCE THAT DEALS WITH DESIGNING AND

ARRANGING THINGS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN

USE THEM EASILY AND SAFELY

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ERGONOMICS - OBJECTIVES

To improve the relationship b/w people ,

equipment , workplace, and the environment.

Increase work efficiency and productivity.

Promote safety and comfort at work station.

To reduce physical work loads.

To minimize the risk of injury , illness , accidents

and errors without compromising productivity.

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FIELDS THAT INTERACT WITH ERGONOMICS

Anthropometry

Psychology

Operations

Research

Surgery

Physics

Orthopedics

Physiology

Statistics

Engineering

Biomechanics

Industrial Hygiene

Industrial

Medicine

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JOB RISK FACTORS

Working in awkward

postures / positions

Prolonged sitting and

standing

Bending, reaching,

stretching

Driving for extended

periods of time

Heavy lifting

Illumination

Awkward lifting

Lifting in combination

with twisting

Pushing, pulling, carrying

Accidents, slips, trips,

falls

Vibration & Noise

Repetition

Contact Stress

Thermal Condition

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ERGONOMICS - IMPORTANCE

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

(WMSD) are fastest-growing injury category

1997 study of 420 medical secretaries

◦63 % reported neck/shoulder pain

◦51% low back pain

◦30 % hand/wrist pain

◦15 % elbow pain

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Musculo Skeletal Disorders(MSD)

MSD’s are injuries caused by sustained

exposure to stresses or repetitive motion.

They may affect muscles, tendons, ligaments,

bones, circulation, or nerves.

Some well-known MSD’s are:

1. Carpel tunnel syndrome

2. Tennis elbow

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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME One of the best known MSDs

The median nerve does

not work properly due to

pressure on the nerve as

it runs through an

opening called the carpel

tunnel

Pain & tingling, can go up

the arm to the shoulder

and neck, causing waking

to pain in middle of night

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TENNIS ELBOW Overuse or misuse of the forearm

muscles can cause tendonitis, or a painful inflammation of the tendons connecting these muscles to borns.

This may be when working,

or during certain leisure

activities, such as sports and

gardening.

Symptom are severe pain.

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Body Parts Prone To Workplace MSDs

Back - Lower

Neck and Upper Back

Upper Extremities - Arms and Hands

Lower Extremities - Legs and Feet

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Musculoskeletal Disorders: Signs and Symptoms

Decreased ROM

Decreased grip and/or pinch strength

Swelling

Fatigue

Loss of function

Numbness

Burning sensation

Tingling

Pain

Cramping

Stiffness

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Leading Causes of Back Problems

• Poor Body Mechanics

• Stressful Living & Working

• Loss of Flexibility

• Loss of Strength

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ERGNONIMICS APPROCHES

• Body Mechanics

• Proper Lifting Techniques

• Exercise

• Stretching

• Improved postures

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PROPER WEIGHT LIFTING TECHNIQUE

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Posture checkIncreased stress, decreased circulation

High risk Low risk

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Posture checkDo you use a headset rather than cradling the

telephone between your head and shoulder?

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ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT

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Arranging Your Workspace

Arrange tools around your desk so you minimize the distance you have to reach for them. Divide your work space into three zones:

Primary work zone - the distance from elbow to hand. Things you touch on a daily basis.

Secondary work zone - within arm's reach. Use this zone to position those items that you use frequently, but don't need all the time.

Reference zone - outside arm's reach. Use this zone for your

least-often used items.

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To be ergonomic , a design must

• Fit the user

• Be easy to use

• Improve comfort

• Improve performance

• Improve health and safety

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ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED CHAIR

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Materials storage and handling Clear and mark transport routes

Provide ramps of 5-8% inclination instead of

small stairs

Use mechanical devices for lifting, lowering and

moving heavy material

Instead of carrying heavy weights divide them

into smaller lightweights e.g. 2x10 kg instead of

20 kg.

Combine heavy lifting with physically lighter

tasks

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Hand ToolsUse hanging tools for operations repeated

in the same place

Provide hand support when using precision

tools

Provide hand tools with a grip of the proper

thickness (hand diameter 30-40 mm, handle

length 125 mm and size to fit male hands)

Provide a home for each tool (Enables good

housekeeping)

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Production machine safetyLocate controls in sequence of

operations

Make displays and signals easy to

distinguish and easy to read

Use properly fixed guards and interlock

devices

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Lighting

Increased use of daylight

Light up the work area evenly

Sufficient lighting for working

Local lighting for precision work

Removing shiny surfaces

Avoid glare

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Advantages of Ergonomics

•Reduction of work-related injuries , higher safety

•Higher productivity

•Increased work quality

•Reduced absenteeism , fatigue

•Better design of machines

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Disadvantages

It costs money to develop and design it.

Usually take more time and resources than

other methods

Very high effort in planning, recruiting, and

executing than other methods

Much longer study periods and therefore

requires much goodwill among the participants

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Applications

Assist in design & operation of man ,

m/c ,environmental study.

Help to know about the human activities,

capability and limitations.

Helps to ensure physical and mental use of

human beings.

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Difficulties in achieving the aims of ergonomics

Human operator is flexible and adaptable

Large individual differences

Obvious differences: --> Physical size, strength

Not obvious differences --> Culture, style, level of skill

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Work Smarter – Not Harder

Notice and report symptoms EARLY

Stretch

Take adequate and frequent breathers

Do a different task or do the

task differently

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Conclusion..As we discussed above ergonomics  "DESIGNING THE JOB TO FIT THE WORKER ,

NOT FORCING THE WORKER TO FIT THE JOB“

So it will reduces the fatigue and improve the work conditions for the workers.

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Help Yourself

Micro-Breaks◦ Every 20-40 minutes

Exercises◦ Body stretch◦ Raise forearms◦ Shoulder blade squeeze/shrugs◦ Eye palming ◦ Arm and shoulder shake◦ Arm extensions◦ Side bends

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Practice Wellness at Work and Home !

Exercise(Body)

Nutrition(Mind)

Relaxation(Spirit)

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THANK YOU….