I would like to extend my most sincere gratitutde to Prof. Kalyan, guest faculty, Department of Fasion and Lifestyle Accessories, NIFT, New Delhi for his scholarly guidance and constant constructive criticism which has been instru-mental in developing this report. I would also like to thank my friends and family for help at every step. I hope that this report does justice to the time and effort that every-body has put in.Thank you.

Shalvi SharmaFasion and Lifestyle AccessoriesSemester V2012-2016NIFT, New Delhi

contents

introduction

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4-22

24

26-29

32-40

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ergonomics and design

case study and inforgraphics

assignment I

assignment II

learning outcome

references

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Introduction

Ergonomics can be defined simply as the study of work. More specifically, ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather than physically forcing theworker’s body to fit the job. Adapting tasks, work sta-tions,tools, and equipment to fit the worker can help reduce physical stress on a worker’s body and eliminate many potentially serious, disabling workrelated musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs). Ergonomics draws on a number of scientific disciplines, including physiology, biomechan-ics, psychology, anthropometry, industrial hygiene, and kinesiology. These factors-especially if coupled with poor machine design, tool, and workplace design or the use of improper tools-create physical stress on workers’ bodies, which can lead to injury. A dramatic increase in MSDs began in the 1970s when these disorders increasingly appeared on companies’ injury and illness logs. OSHA cited companies for hazardous workplace conditions that caused problems such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syn-drome, and back injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, recognizesMSDs as a serious workplace health hazard. These injuries now account for more than one third of all lost-workday case.Anthropometry, the systematic collection and correlation of measurements of the human body. Now one of the principal techniques of physical anthropology, the disci-pline originated in the 19th century, when early studies of human biological and cultural evolution stimulated an interest in the systematic description of populations both living and extinct. In the latter part of the 19th century, anthropometric data were applied, often subjectively, by social scientists attempting to support theories associating biological race with levels of cultural and intellectual de-velopment. The Italian psychiatrist and sociologist Cesare Lombroso, seeking physical evidence of the so-called criminal type, used the methods of anthropometry to examine and categorize prison inmates.The simplest anthropometric measurements included the ratio of the breadth to the length of the skull (the “cephal-ic index”), that of the width to the length of the nose, the proportion of the upper arm to the lower arm, and so on. These measurements could be made with such familiar pieces of equipment as metersticks, calipers, and measur-ing tapes. By selecting reliable measuring points, or

“landmarks,” on the body, and standardizing the measur-ing techniques used, measurements could be made with great accuracy. The masses of data acquired from such in-vestigations were used by physical anthropologists in the 19th and early 20th centuries to try to characterize various racial, ethnic, and national groups in terms of those bodily features peculiar to or typical of them.In the 20th century, the application of anthropometry to the study of racial types was replaced by more sophisti-cated techniques for evaluating racial differences. Anthro-pometry continued to be a valuable technique, however, gaining an important role in paleoanthropology, the study of human origins and evolution through fossil remains. Craniometry, the measurement of the skull and facial structure, also a development of the 19th century, as-sumed new importance with the discoveries in the 1970s and ’80s of human and prehuman fossils greatly predating any such previous finds. Craniometric studies of prehis-toric skull and face bones have enabled anthropologists to trace the gradual changes that occurred in the size and shape of the human head as it enlarged to accommodate increased brain volume; as a result, craniometry and other anthropometric techniques led to a major reevaluation of prevailing theories that the adoption of an erect posture and the enlargement of the brain occurred simultaneously in human development.In addition to its scholarly functions, anthropometry also has commercial applications. Anthropometric data have been used by industrial researchers in the design of cloth-ing, especially military uniforms, and in the engineering of, for example, automobile seats, airplane cockpits, and space capsules.

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ergonomicsand

designThe impact of ergonomics on workplace designOffice furniture guidelines for fit and function

Ergonomic analysis on a chair

The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words:• ERGO: meaning work• NOMOS: meaning lawsErgonomics can be an integral part of design, manufactur-ing, and use. Knowing how the study of anthropometry, posture, repetitive motion, and workspace design affects the user is critical to a better understanding of ergonom-ics as they relate to end-user needs. When designing products it is important to remember that people come in many sizes and shapes. Anthropometric data varies considerably between regional populations. For example, Scandinavian populations tend to be taller, while Asian and Italian populations tend to be shorter. Anthropometric dimensions for each population are ranked by size and described as percentiles. It is common practice to design for the 5th percentile (5th%) female to the 95th percen-tile (95th%) male. The 5th% female value for a particular dimension (e.g. sitting height) usually represents the smallest measurement for design in a population.Conversely, a 95th% male value may represent the largest dimension for which one is designing. The 5th% to 95th% range accommodates approximately 90% of the popula-tion. To design for a larger portion of the population, one might use the range from the 1st% female to the 99th% male.When using anthropometric measurements in design, considertwo points:1. How recently data was collected2. Type of population measuredFirst, some data may have been collected over 25 yearsago, and measurements such as height or weight may have changed in the current population. Secondly, the population one is designing for may not be represented by the anthropometric database being referenced. For example, ANSUR data may not be applicable in designing a table used by elderly individuals.The following resources provide additional information about anthropometry.Internet:• BIFMA, bifma.org• CAESAR, store.sae.org/caesar• Size USA, sizeusa.comBooks:

• Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics,2nd Edition, Salvendy, 1997• Human Factors Design Handbook, 2nd Edition,Woodson, Tillman, Tillman, 1992• The Measure of Man and Woman, Henry DreyfussAssociates, 2002Software Programs:• ANTHROPOS and RAMSIS, human-solutions.com• DELMIA Safework, delmia.com• ErgoForms, ergoforms.com• Jack Human Modeling, ugs.com• LifeMOD Biomechanics Modeler, lifemodeler.com

THE IMPACT OF ERGONOMICS ON WORK-PLACE DESIGNThe goal of Ergonomics is to provide maximum productiv-ity with minimal cost; in this context cost is expressed as the physiological or health cost to the worker. In a work-place setting there are seldom a large number of tasks that exceed the capabilities of most of the work force. There may be jobs that will include a specific task that requires extended reaches or overhead work that cannot be sustained for long periods, by using Ergonomic prin-ciples to design these tasks; more people should be able to perform the job without the risk of injury. Ergonomics has already been defined and its primary focus is on the design of work activity that suits the person in that it takes account of their capabilities and limitations. Matching the requirements of a job with the capabilities of the worker is the approach to be adopted in order to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal injuries resulting from handling materials manually. Proactive Ergonomics emphasises the preven-tion of work related musculoskeletal disorders through recognising, anticipating and reducing risk factors in the planning stages of new systems of work or workplaces. In effect, to design operations that ensures proper selectionand use of tools, job methods, workstation layouts and materials that impose no undue stress and strain on the worker. Additional costs are incurred in redesigning or modifying work processes therefore it is more cost effec-tive to reduce risk factors at the design stage.A proactive approach to Ergonomics will ensure that:• Designers will receive training in ergonomics and have

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appropriate information and guidelines regarding risk reduction.• Decision-makers planning new work processes should have knowledge of Ergonomics principles that contribute to the reduction or elimination of risk.• Design strategies emphasise fitting job demands to thecapabilities and limitations of workers. For example, for tasks requiring heavy materials handling, use of mechani-cal assist devices to reduce the need for manual handling would be designed into the process.• Other aspects of design should be considered including load design, layout of the workplace to allow for ease of access when using mechanical aids and eliminating unnec-essary lifting activities.

Common Workplace PosturesThere are common postures found in the offi ce environ-ment that can be considered when designing workplace products or space. This section reviews guidelines for these postures:

• Standing• Sitting• Reaching

• Moving

Standing:Some users may need or want to stand while at their workstations. If this is the case, an appropriate desk can be designed and selected for the type of work being performed. Desk height for a standing operator can range from 28-43” (Grandjean, 1997) depending on whether the desk is for precision, light, or heavy work. When selecting desk height it is important to remember that the top line of text on a computer monitor should be located at eyelevel or slightly below.

Sitting:Knowing what parameters to design for while the user is seated can help increase the comfort of the user.

Spine and Lumbar:Maintaining the neutral, or standing shape of the lumbar, or lower spinal area, is important for comfort and posture. Chairs can give appropriate and correct lumbar support. This seated lumbar support will help the spine maintain an S-shaped curve similar to the spine’s shape when stand-ing.

Seated position

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Posture:Correct seated posture is a continual debate with ergo-nomic professionals. Some say that users need to have a 90-90-90 degree placement for the elbow, hip, and knee joints, respectively. Others feel that a variation in this placement is better, as long as it does not lead to slouch-ing or hunching over. A good seated posture is one that is comfortable and does not put a lot of stress or strain on the user’s buttocks, back, or arm muscles, and allows the user’s feet to be on the floor.

Reaching:While sitting or standing, an individual at work will usually have to reach for something. The workstation, and parts that go with workstations (such as overhead storage and pedestals), should allow the majority of movement of the user’s body joints within healthy zones. When designing products, consider how much individuals will have to reach in order to minimize awkward or unhealthy positions.

Moving:Users will move around in their environment to file papers,answer a phone, or stretch. An occasional break from sit-ting is encouraged because it helps to stimulate muscles, and increases blood fl ow, which decreases fatigue.The space in a cubicle or desk area should allow the chair to move around easily. Also, a wheelchair may need to turn around or move in the office space, requiring a 60” diameter turning radius and at least 36” of passage width. Chairs and other devices in the workspace can allow the user to easily get up and move around without having to

Minimum space requirements for wheelchair use.

move armrests, adjust other chair settings, or put undue stress on the body.

Common Workplace MotionsUltimately, the workplace should be comfortable for users and adapt to their needs as much as possible. Workplace products designed with this in mind can lead to higher worker productivity and lower risk of injury and illnesses.The human body has a natural range of motion (ROM). Movement within the proper ROM promotes blood circu-lation and flexibility which could lead to more comfort and higher productivity. Despite the need to promote motion, users should try to avoid repetitive movements and certain extremes in their ROM over long periods of time. By con-sidering both ROM and repetitive motion, products canbe designed to operate within the optimal ranges to help reduce the occurance of fatigue and muscle disorders.

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Repetitive Motions

If repetitive tasks are necessary, minimizing the number of continuous movements can help reduce the risk of injuries. There is no specific number for minimum daily repetitions. The factors affecting repetitive tasks include user’s muscle strength, amount of force required, and type of task. Additionally, decreasing the amount of force required to perform a task will also lower the risk of pain and musculoskeletal disorders.

What are MSDs?MSDs, or musculoskeletal disorders, are injuries and disorders of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) and nervous system. They can affectnearly all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths, and most frequently involve the arms and back. Occupa-tional safety and health professionals have called these disorders a variety of names, including cumulative trauma disorders, repeated trauma, repetitive stress injuries, and occupational overexertion syndrome. These painful and often disabling injuries generally develop gradually over weeks, months, and years. MSDs usually result from expo-sure to multiple risk factors that can cause or exacerbate the disorders, not from a single event or trauma such as a fall, collision, or entanglement. MSDs can cause a number of conditions, including pain, numbness, tingling, stiff joints, difficulty moving, muscle loss, and sometimes paralysis. Frequently, workers must lose time from work to recover; some never regain full health. These disorders in-clude carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, sciatica, herniat-ed discs, and low back pain. MSDs do not include injuriesresulting from slips, trips, falls, or similar accidents.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders:Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) may occur in both offi ce and manufacturing settings. CTDs are injuries due to re-petitive motions, stresses, and actions. Following are some considerations to help reduce the likelihood of occurrence:• Eliminate tasks that require fast, highly repetitive armmovements or that impose sustained static postures• Beware of pressure points where the wrist, forearm,or other parts of the body contact an edge or hardfeature on a desk or table

• Minimize shoulder flexion and abduction• Minimize holding weighted objects in hands• Reduce or eliminate forceful applications of heavypeak exertions• Require workers to take frequent breaks

ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES THAT CONTRIB-UTE TO GOOD WORKPLACE DESIGNThe 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, thebody’s muscles, ligaments and joints are involved in adopting posture, carrying out a movement and apply-ing 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 optimising tasks in the workplace. The following principles should be followed:

I.WORK IN NEUTRAL POSTURES:

-Your spinal column is shaped more or less like an “S”.

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-It is important to maintain the natural S-curve of the back, whether sitting or standing. The most important part of this “S” is in the lower back, which means that it is good to keep a slight “sway back”. When standing, putting one foot up on a footrest helps to keep the spinal column in proper alignment.

-Working for long periods with your back in a “C-curve” can place strain on your back. Good lumbar support is often helpful to maintain the proper curve in the small of your back.

-The “Inverted V-curve” creates an even greater strain on your back. Even without lifting a load, bending over like this creates a great deal of pressure on the spine. One common improvement is to use a lifter or tilter or there may be other ways of making improvements depending upon the situation.

-The neck bones are part of the spinal column and thus are subject to the same requirements of maintaining the S-curve. Prolonged twisted and bent postures of the neck can be as stressful as its equivalent for the lower back.The best way to make changes is usually to adjust equipment so that your neck is in its neutral posture.

-The neutral posture for your arms is to keep you elbows at your sides and your shoulders relaxed. This is pretty obvious once you think about it, but we don’t always do it.

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-There are several good ways to think about wrist posture. One way is to keep the hand in the same plane as the forearm, as this person is doing here by using a wrist rest along with the computer mouse.

II.REDUCE EXCESSIVE FORCE:

-pulling a heavy cart might create excessive force for your back. To make improvements it might help to make sure the floor is in good repair, that the wheels on the cart are sufficiently large, and that there are good grips on the cart. Or a power tugger might be needed.

-Another kind of example is having handholds on boxes or carrying totes. Having the handhold reduces the exertion your hands need to carry the same amount of weight.

III.KEEP EVERYTHING IN EASY REACH:

-One concept is to think about the “reach envelope.” This is the semi-circle that your arms make as you reach out. Things that you use frequently should ideally be within the reach envelope of your full arm. Things that you use extremely frequently should be within the reach envelope of your forearms. Or another common problem is reaching into boxes. A good way to fix this is to tilt the box.

IV.WORK AT PROPER HEIGHTS:

-A good rule of thumb is that most work should be done at about elbow height, whether sitting or standing. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Heavier work is often best done lower than elbow height. Precision work or visually intense work is often best done at heights above the elbow. Sometimes you can adjust heights by extend-ing the legs to a work tables or cutting them down. Or you can either put a work platform on top of the table (to raise the work up) or stand on a platform (to raise YOU up).

V.REDUCE EXCESSIVE MOTION:

-One of the simplest ways to reduce manual repetitions is to use power tools whenever possible. Another approach is to change layouts of equipment to eliminate motions. In the example here, the box is moved closer and tilted, so that you can slide the products in, rather than having to pick them up each time or sometimes there are uneven surfaces or lips that are in the way. By changing these, you can eliminate motions.

VI.MINIMIZE FATIGUE AND STATIC LOAD:

-A good example of static load that everyone has experi-enced is writer’s cramp. You do not need to hold onto a pencil very hard, just for long periods. Your muscles tire after a time and begin to hurt. In the workplace, having to hold parts and tools continually is an example of static load. In this case, using a fixture eliminates the need to hold onto the part.

-Having to stand for a long time creates a static load on your legs. Simply having a footrest can permit you to reposition your legs and make it easier to stand.

VII.MINIMIZE PRESSURE POINTS:

-A good example of this is squeezing hard onto a tool, like a pair of pliers. Adding a cushioned grip and contouring the handles to fit your hand makes this problem better.

-Leaning your forearms against the hard edge of a work

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table creates a pressure point. Rounding out the edge and padding it usually helps.

-We’ve all had to sit on chairs that had cushioning and so understand almost everything we need to know about pressure points. A particularly vulnerable spot is behind your knees, which happens if your chair is too high or when you dangle your legs. Another pressure point that can happen when you sit is between your thigh and the bottom of a table.

VIII.PROVIDE CLEARANCE:

-Work areas need to be set up so that you have sufficient room for your head, your knees, and your feet. You obvi-ously don’t want to have to bump into things all the time, or have to work in contorted postures, or reach because there is no space for your knees or feet.

IX.MOVE, EXERCISE AND STRETCH:

-Depending upon the type of work you do, different exer-cises on the job can be helpful.If you have a physically demanding job, you may find it helpful to stretch and warm up before any strenuous activ-ity. If you have a sedentary job, you may want to take a quick “energy break” every so often to do a few stretches.

-If you sit for long periods, you need to shift postures:Adjust the seat up and down throughout the day. Move, stretch, and change positions often.

-It actually would be ideal if you could alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. For some tasks, such as customer service, desks are available that move up and down for this purpose (this is not new; Thomas Jefferson built a desk like this for himself).

X.MAINTAIN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT:

-In the computerized office, lighting has become a big is-sue, because the highly polished computer screen reflects every stray bit of light around. But many other types of tasks can be affected by poor lighting, too. Concerns

include glare, working in your own shadow, and just plain insufficient light. One good way to solve lighting problems is by using task lighting; that is, having a small light right at your work that you can orient and adjust to fit your needs.

OFFICE FURNITURE GUIDELINES FOR FIT AND FUNCTION

Anticipate ActionsThink ahead and envision the actions that individuals might perform while using or interacting with the device being designed. Visualizing the user’s actions will help defi ne benefits or concernswith a design.Some general actions to anticipate are:• Reach– How far is the user supposed to reach?• Sight– How much is the user able to see?• Placement of product– Is it located in a convenient place? Is it accessible andwithin the user’s ROM?• Body position– Is the user in an uncomfortable position? Is the user inthe appropriate zones?During early design stages, the product can be tested on different subjects to verify anthropometric fi t and improve the design with items not originally considered.

ChairsBIFMA’s guidelines for seating are very general and allow for different design interpretations.These guidelines are based on the Natick military studies using 5th to 95th percentile females and males.

Seat HeightThe seat height should allow the user’s feet to be comfort-ably supported by the fl oor or a proper footrest.

Seat DepthSeat depth should be deep enough so that the region behind the knees (also referred to as the popliteal area) is not hitting the front of the seat. Two ways to prevent popliteal contact are:

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1. Fixing the overall depth of the chair2. Creating a depth adjustmentAdjusting the seat depth on a chair should be a natural motion that does not strain the user. Separating the arm-rests from the moveable seat can allow the armrests to be used as leverage for easily changing the seat depth while seated. The controls for seat depth movement should be intuitive and easy to use, and not require excessive bending to reach. For example, a seat adjustment control like those found in automobiles could help achieve this simplicity.

Seat WidthThe seat should be wide enough to accommodate a user’s hips and clothing, and comfortably allow use of the armrests.

BackrestThe seat back should conform to the contour of the per-son’s spine and give support to the back to alleviate stress on back muscles while seated. Generally, it should be high enough to reach the shoulder blades, wide enough to support the waist breadth, and have a lumbar support to maintain the natural lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine.

Chair Range of MotionThe seat and backrest should allow for varied seated pos-tures. This can be accomplished by allowing a rearward tilt of the back. A minimum 10 degree rearward tilt (between 90o and 115o) is preferable. Some chairs also allow the seat to tilt at the same time. The only guidelines for seat tilt measurement is to ensure the torso-to-thigh angle is not less than 90o, and that the seat angle is between 0-4o reward tilt.

ArmrestsArmrests help relieve neck, shoulder, and back stress. Arm-rests can provide good surface area for the arm to contact so that pressure between an arm and armrest is mini-mized. The armrests should be adjustable up and down, as well as in and out. This allows for more customization and better control of comfort.

Chair ControlsThe controls are important, but the fewer and more in-tuitive they are, the better it can be for the user. A round knob usually means that it should be turned. A flat leverusually means it should be pulled or pushed. Some con-trols are also easier for individuals with disabilities to use than others .Graphic icons could be placed on the controls to show the user how to operate each lever or device. Images, rather than text, for instructions can prevent the need to translate instructions when selling products in dif-ferent countries. In addition, it can be a quicker and easier way to communicate. The tension in the controls should allow for minimal user effort to activate them. Controls should also be easy to reach and visible to the user.

Desks and WorksurfacesBIFMA also includes ergonomic guidelines for desks and worksurfaces. They describe the minimal measurements for a seated desk, and the minimal considerations for standing work.

Seated WorkThe BIFMA guidelines for seated work list the minimum measurements needed to accommodate 90% of the popu-lation. Like seating, they are guidelines and can be used to direct design of worksurfaces.

Standing WorkThe guidelines for standing work relate to clearance for the feet when standing next to a desk or worksurface.If designing a manual sit-to-stand work desk, the height adjustment mechanism should be placed so that the user does not strain his or her back when adjusting the work-surface height.

Workstation Heights (Standing and Sitting)Adjustable desks can be used to support an operator’s work. Placement of objects on the worksurface should be considered to avoid movements that prolong periods of muscle contraction. Depending on the type of work to be performed at a standing workstation, different heights. For heavy work, the table can be at a height that allows good leverage for lifting and moving objects. For precision work, the desk height can be higher than normal because this

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work will involve small movements and the workerwill need to focus closely on the workpiece. When stand-ing at a workstation, movement is important so that blood does not pool in the legs. Installing anti-fatigue mats canhelp distribute the weight of the body from the feet to the floor mats.

Computer StationsWhen a user is at a computer workstation, whether seated or standing, the top of the monitor should be at the user’s eye level. The interaction between the height of the monitor and the user’s eyes is complex because of interdependencies between seat height, monitor height, user height, etc. The BIFMA guidelines elaborate more on this complexity.

Storage and FilesFiling cabinets should allow a user to open and close the doors with minimal effort. The handles should be designed so that they are easy to grasp and operate. Overhead storage bins can be attached at a reasonable height so the user will not have to reach too high, yet be out of the wayfrom interfering with desk space.

AccessoriesSome common offi ce furniture accessories are keyboard trays, mouse pad holders, and pedestals. The keyboard tray and mouse pad holder should be adjustable for height, depth, and tilt angle. The placement of these holders can allow the user to place computer accessories in comfortable positions where there is minimal strain to the back, arms, and wrists. Additionally, clearance for the thighs under the keyboard tray can be included in the de-sign. When designing pedestals or other accessories that go underneath the desktop, the designer can anticipate actions of the user. For example, adding a handle that al-lows for easy pulling of a mobile pedestal can be a helpful feature.

(From above, clockwise): Different types of office chairs depending on the work to be done, a set up for standing posi-tion, table describing BIFMA guidelines for office desks and worksurfaces, chairs for smooth working.

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(From extreme top-left, clock-wise): The geometry of futon comfort, rocking wheel-chair from Mathias Koehler, juvenile chair seat and table heights, er-gonomic chair that grows with your kid, ergonomics kids’ desk from Knelt, chair that can be used in a lounge and in office

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Ergonomic plan of a kitchen

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(From left, clockwise): universal wheelchair design, universal design graph, different plans for room arrangement ergonomically set up

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(Top to Bottom): Kitchen utensils designed according to ergonomics, rocking chair from Fou showing ergonomic principles

CASE STUDyAND

INFOGRAPHICS

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ASSIGNMENT ito take a product in the classroom (doors, cabinets, storage

space, chair ets.) and analyse it in relation with youranthropometric data.

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ASSIGNMENT i

Our group took up door as the product. To show the relationship, dimensions of the door and that of the body were recorded. Analysis was made by taking up different case scenarios like when one person walks through, when two people walk through, when people carry luggage and walk through etc. The diagrams that follow show the relationship study and the five cases assumed.

62

68

52

17932

32

23.5

42

44

77

205

135

93

112

112

15

4 10.5

12

180 when closed, 182 when open, 184 is the size

Results:The average height of the class is taken to be 150 cm. The height recorded is 179 cm and that of the door is 205 cm. My height is more than the class but it is still enough to go through the door comfortably.

The different case scenarios are discussed in the following pages.

All the measurements are in cm.

32

32

23.5

42

44

179

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.567.5

67.5

32

32

23.5

42

44

179

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.5

32

32

23.5

42

77

CASE I:When one person walks through.The dimensions are ideal for one person of the given dimensions to pass through the door. Shoulders with 44 cm and height of 179 cm leaves clearance of 12 cm on each side of the shoulder and 31 cm on the top.{(67.5-44)/2}

CASE II:When two people walk through.The dimensions are ideal for one person of the given dimensions to pass through the door. It is comfortable enough for two people as well. There is 24 cm clearance in the middle and 12 cm on each side. The clearance on the top remains the same.{(67.5*2)-(44*2)}

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67.5

32

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.5

444444

67.5

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.5

4444

CASE III:When three people walk through.The dimensions suggest that three people passing through the door, at the same time, is a problem. {(67.5*2)-(44*3)}=3 cm, which is not enough clearance. Hence, it is not meant for three people.

CASE IV:a) When a person is carrying load on his shoulder.Even if the person carries load, the earlier clear-ance of 12 cm would decrease upto 6-8 cm. He can still pass through.

b) When a person is carrying load on his head. The person carrying load can walk in comfort-ably if the height of the person+the height of the load equals 205 cm. If it is more than that, he will have to bend and come in.

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67.5

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.5

4444

179

64

23.5

CASE V:When a person raises his hand.When the person raises his hand, it goes beyond the door height of 205 cm. 179+64-23.5= 219.5 cm. Hence, it is not possible for the person to put up his hand, straight.

CASE VI:Anthropometric data in relation to the latch and handle of the door.According the height being 179 cm, the latch and the handle are perfectly placed. The elbow bends comfortably to open the latch on the top and the handle below.

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67.5

Head clearance of 31 cm

67.5

44

179

64

4

11293 90

assignment IIto study the design of a product, it'sergonomic and anthropometric data. conceptualize changes that can be

done to suit a particular need orsolve a problem.

32The product taken is earthern pot, populary called matka.

When gods and demons were churning the ocean (Sheer-sagar) for the divine Nectar (Mahamrita), an earthen pot emerged. This is believed to be the first earthen pot ever created by the potters. Commonly known as Matkas, earthen pots are a vital accessory for Indian kitchens. They function as traditional refrigerators. The porous nature of these pots makes the accommodated water sift through the pores. The sifted water extracts heat from the water contained in the pot and evaporates from the surface. It’s a continuous process, which keeps the surface of the pot moist and keeps the water temperature low. The more is the ambient heat, the more will be the cooling effect.The process of making these simple earthen pots involves many steps and contrary to popular belief, the potter’s wheel only assists in initial molding of clay. The process starts with the soft clay being shaped on potter’s wheel, after attaining the desired cylinder like shape, the molded piece is separated at the base with the help of a thread.

This shape is then put to dry to gain some rigidity. The pot is again cleaned and formed with a shaping pad and a wooden beater. To give a uniform wall thickness to the pot and impart a fine spherical shape, the potter presses the shaping pad on the inside of the pot and beats the outer surface continuously with the wooden beater. Final shape is painted with clay of different colors and fired in a klin. Afterwards these pots are cleaned and checked for any defects. The earthenware fired in open kiln on the ground has auburn or brownish red appearance and the pieces fired in underground or closed kiln are black in color.One of the earliest products of handicraft, the earthen pot, or ‘matka’, finds its way from distant desert wells, to city streets and restaurants. Potters everywhere, in villages and metropolises, make earthen pots on the wheel for quenching the thirst of millions. Even within the simple need of storing drinking water the earthen pot finds liter-ally thousands of manifestations across the land from the slender long necked ‘surahi’ to the near spherical ‘garvi’ to the smaller one called ‘budga’.

In turn, the dog also feels cooler. Traditionally, matka water is believed to be gentle on the throat and better than drinking chilled water from the fridge. You may find family members suggesting you only drink water from a matka so that you don’t fall sick. If you are prone to colds and coughs or sore throats, they may feel matka water might be the best option for you. But, it is vital that the stored water be boiled or filtered first. Bring the required water to a rolling boil for one minute. Allow the water to cool naturally. Once it reaches room temperature, you can store it in a clean matka or surahi.

The following has been taken from a design case study ‘Elaneer’ by Praveesh K. M., M. Des. Student in IIT Guwa-hati. In his study he talks about the traditional products in India which cools water/stores food without any external energy.

• To store rice in Kerala:In Kerala, 5 decades ago people were used to store exces-sive cooked rice in a clay pot covered with coconut shell and they used to bury the pot under the ground, so that the rice remains fresh for many days.

33 Why does water stay cool in earthern pots?

This is because of a physical process known as evapora-tion. When a liquid changes to a gaseous (or vapour) state without boiling, it is known as evaporation.A matka is made of mud and has many minute pores (extremely small holes). No matter how tightly you pack the mud, these pores remain. It is through these pores that the water, placed inside the matka, oozes out. Now, to evaporate, the water needs to absorb heat, which will change it to vapour.The only way the water oozing out of the matka can turn to vapour is by absorbing heat from the liquid within the matka and the matka itself. Due to this process of continu-ous absorption of heat from the water inside the matka, in a few hours, this water becomes cool. Glass and metal do not have any pores. So the water placed inside glass and metal vessels cannot seep out and evaporate. Therefore, the water inside remains hot.Evaporation: nature’s air-conditionerIn nature, there are countless examples of evaporation. For instance, have you ever noticed how a dog hangs its tongue out after running around? The saliva on its tongue evaporates and the tongue becomes cooler.

Water bags in Rajasthan (Davidi):Water bags made of Canvas also known as Davidi were used in Rajasthan – India. These bags will keep the water cool and can easily be transported. The people who travel in deserts on camels and lorry driver use these bags. • Water purifying with sun rays:In olden days water was purified with cloth filters and kept in the jars outside were the sun rays are available.

Pitcher Irrigation Method:The water is filled in the earthern pot and a small hole is created at the bottom and closed with a cotton thread which will release the water to the roots. This is some-thing similar to Drip Irrigation. This method is relevant to Dry Land Farming as water is precious in these areas.Apparently this method was used in Baluchistan region in ancient times but was dropped in recent times due some unknown reason. The idea is to bury an earthen pot near a plant in the ground, and then fill the pot with water. Water will seep through clay and it will reach the plant. It uses water more efficiently than other systems since it delivers water directly to plant root zones, instead of to broader areas of the field.

34• Matka – Clay pots: Clay pots or “Matka” (local language of clay pot) is used allover India and different parts of the world for storing drinking water. The water gets cooled due to the seepage of water from the clay pot.

• Pyaoo:Pyaoo is a bigger version of Matka which is used to store large quantity of water in the public places and road sides. Pyaoo was made either with clay, animal skin or other different materials.

• Clay pot covered with cloth:Clay pot covered with cloth and also the pot will be rested on a cloth base, vegetable leaves and coriander leaves be kept under this to store as fresh. Because of the proper-ty of Clay pot cool water will keep the surrounding area outside of the pot also cools, which makes the leaves cool and fresh.

• Sheetal Matka in Rajasthan:This is a traditional way of keeping fruits and vegetables fresh in Rajasthan – India. There will be two clay pots kept one inside the other. Water will be kept in the outer pot and fruits and vegetables will be stored inside the inner pot. The water stored in the outer pot gets cooled and transfers coolness to the inner pot.

Modified Desert Cooler (MDC):“Modified Desert Cooler (MDC)” as the name suggest that it is the modification of the conventional cooler. It is the air conditioner cum refrigerator for people who cannot afford costly equipments like air conditioner, refrigerator and other such appliances. It cools the air more than the conventional Desert cooler. The modified desert cool-er is developed for providing better cooling effect than conventional desert cooler. It also provides cold-pure water for drinking purpose comparatively at low cost than Refrigerator with the help of modifies Matka attached with it. It also decreased moisture content of the air coming through desert cooler upto some extent. The MDC con-sists of a desert cooler with storage box, two concentric simple small size earthen pot known as modify Matka, a purifier, humidity controller and connecting tubes or pipes. Storage box provided in the desert cooler can be used to store regular food items, vegetables, fruits etc.The assembly of Modified Desert cooler consists of follow-ing components:1. Desert cooler assembled with storage box.2. Simple small size earthen pot known as Matka.3. One big size earthen pot known as Ranjan.4. Connecting tubes or pipes.5. A draft with humidity controller.

(From left): Modified desert cooler, a Doshi-Levien ‘matlo’

For my primary research, I did a survey with a few potters asking them about the sizes and shapes available. The in-formation collected is descibed in the graph drawn in the following page. Figure I gives out information on the mat-kas available in different heights. The range extends upto 40 cm. The sizes are in a difference of 2-3 cm. The smallest are used as diyas in pujas, the next ones act as kalash, the largest ones are decorated during diwali etc. Every size has its own purpose to serve.Figure II gives us the numeric values for the matka diam-eters. From the two graphs shown, it can be concluded that the matkas are almost squar-ish in shape. Some of the pots are used for cooking, planting and storing curd. They have a slightly different shape. These pots, as told to me by the potters are sold all the year round; maximum number being sold in summers. The old folks in rural and urban India still drink matka water. The winter season also sees the sale of these pots as the water stays sooth-ing warm in it. The large pots, called ‘pyaaoos’ are seen alongside roads in scorching summers for anyone to drink water. Because of the different sizes and shapes the hold is either comfortable or troublesome. Figure III descirbes through photos taken on-the-spot, the relation between your palm (anthropomteric data) and the pot. The price range of the pot is Rs 10- Rs 100, and the largest pot weighs upto 1kg.

35

Y

X

Range 31-40Heights found: 32, 34, 37

Range 21-30Heights found: 23, 30

Range 11-20Heights found: 12, 17, 18.5

Range 1-10Heights found: 7, 10

All measurements are in cm

Number of pots in each range

7.5Vol= 0.5l(for religious purposes)

8.5 10

16(for one person)

18.5

22

27

32 for 4 people3436 Vol= 20l(biggest in size for the entire family)

Figure I.

Figure II.

36

18 cm

15 cm

The smallest pots are very easy to hold. It can be held with any of the grips. The palm gets around the neck entirely.

Anthropometric data of my palm

The next one (10 cm) is easy to hold too. It can tumble on the palm face.

The 17 cm pot has a slightly different shape. It can be held in the hand and the grip is strong enough.

The measurement from the middle finger to the opposite end is 18 cm. The measurement from the thumb to the little finger is 15 cm. These measurements together with the dimensions of the matkas are analysed to record the comfort of hold. Hence the pots measuring upto 18 cm can be held comfortably.

Figure III

The 23 cm pot is comfortable to hold but the palm cannot accomodate the entire shape.

37

The 30 cm pot becomes difficult to hold. The weight is too much to hold it with only one hand.

The 34 cm pot is too heavy to hold around the neck. How-ever, it is comfortable to hold it from the base.

38

The matka stand:A stand is often used to hold a matka. The shape of the matka is such that it stumbles if not given a firm base. The stands available in the market are made of different ma-terials like iron, plastic, steel and aluminium. These stands can either be kept on the floor or on the kitchen slab. A long-handled ladle is used to spoon out water from the pot. The existing matka stands are given below. For further design research I took up ‘garden chair’ as my product. Through my concepts, seen in the following pages, I have tried to formulate a relationship between the human an-thropometrics and the matka ergonomics. A few elements are taken from the garden chair and combined with the stand. Hence, the results speak volumes of the design that

goes behind matkas, their stands and a garden chair.

(From top): Different types of matka stands available in the market, a garden chair for reference

The dimensions of the matka, its stand, and the anthropometric data of an individ-ual should all go hand-in-hand. Figure IV shows the relationship. The height of the stand from the floor is 3.75/5 of x ( x being the height of an individual ). The matka will have an opening comfortable enough to scoop out water. The length of the laddle should be equal to or more than that of the matka. The elbow should bend comfortably. It should be kept at a height which does not require additional effort in using the laddle.

Figure IV

The pots come in different shapes and siz-es. The stand should be such so as to allow 3/4th of the base to fit in. The matka should ideally have a sharp lip at one corner for easy flow of water.

x

3.75/5 of x

23

23

3.75/5 of x - 23

The stands should have a visual appearance of high stability. A human’s perception of -going near an unstable stand and disturbing the pot, making it fall down- is the reason be-hind it. The stands taking inspiration from a ‘garden chair’ would have iron legs; thin and curved. When we look at a stand having two legs, it looks unstable ,visually. When we look at a stand having three legs, it is compari-tively more stable yet seems dangerous to be near. The most stable looking stand would be the one having four legs.

learningoutcome

42“The future…depends on how we develop human interfaces that create a match between the internal rhythms of the operator and the computer.” – Dr. Joel Orr, Computer Graphics Consutant

Ergonomics is indeed, the study of work. It is important in today’s work environment because industries increas-ingly require higher production rates and advances in technology to remain competitive and stay in business. If work tasks and equipment do not include ergonomic principles in their design, workers may have exposure to undue physical stress, strain, and overexertion, including vibration, awkward postures, forceful exertions, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting. Ergonomists, industrial engi-neers, occupational safety and health professionals, andother trained individuals believe that reducing physical stress in the workplace could eliminate up to half of the serious injuries each year. Employers can learn to antici-pate what might go wrong and alter tools and the workenvironment to make tasks safer for their workers.The first assignment helped me to get an insight into the ergonomic theory that revolves around human-cen-tered-design. The analysis done taking the class door and an indiividual’s anthropometric data into account conclud-ed with deeper information about physical ergonomics(it is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity; relevant topics include working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health). The design of any day-to-day product has to be done in such a way that it interracts with the user. It should not pose a hindrance in usage. The second assignment helped me get deeper into cog-nitive ergonomics (it is concerned with mental process-es, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant topics include men-tal workload, decision-making, skilled performance, hu-man-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design). The matka, the story associated with it since 200 years; the stand, its stability perception, the human interraction are researched and recorded through the second assignment.

It talks about the dimensions of the matka, its users, the stand that supports it and redesigning it taking an inspi-ration. Thus, a combination of ergonomics and anthropo-metrics applied in the two exercises helped me understand the vastness of this topic and helped develop observation-al skill to be more and more aware of my environment.

references

44

references

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acknowledgement