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Workplace Ergonomics
Nigel Heaton
What is ergonomics?
• “ergon” = work, “nomos” = system or Law
• Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific
discipline concerned with the understanding of the
interactions among humans and other elements of a
system, and the profession that applies theoretical
principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimize human well being and overall system
performance. (IEA, 2000)
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Fitting to People
• “Ergonomics produces and integrates knowledge
from the human sciences to match jobs, systems,
products and environments to the physical and
mental abilities and limitations of people. In doing so
it seeks to safeguard safety, health and well-being
whilst optimising efficiency and performance.” (ISO,
1999)
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People at work
• Taylorism - ‘The principles of scientific
management’
• Gilbreths - work study & ‘The Psychology of
Management’
• Mayo (et al) 1927-1932, People are not machines
• Maslow 1954 - people are more complex
• Herzberg (et al.) 1959 - Motivators versus Hygiene
factors
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People have expectations
Put the
numbers
0 – 9 on the
buttons
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Which is “right”?
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Ergonomics & the law
• H&S Intervention (1990’s - the “six pack”)
• Need to adopt an ergonomics approach
• Not just DSE & MHO
• PUWER – it’s about “use”; PPE – it’s about “fit”
• Even the original Mgt. Directive – “take an ergonomics
approach”
• Litigation (Personal injury claims)
• The RSI debate
• Stress
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Questions an Ergonomist asks
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•
•
•
•
“Who?”
“Doing what?”
“With what?”
“Where?”
“Why?”
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Physical characteristics of
people
Anthropometry
• Anthropometry - the study of body measurements
(e.g. size, strength, weight).
• Anthropometric data exists for many measurements.
• Data changes over time (we are all taller & fatter).
• Data is population specific (e.g. young vs old; US vs
English).
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Use of anthropometric data
• Understanding body shape affects sales (e.g.
‘Petite’ ranges; car design).
• Fundamental to design
• How high should a door be?
• What range of adjustment should we provide?
• But note difference between ‘static’ and ‘dynamic’
dimensions (e.g. arm length v. reach envelope).
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What is normal?
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Musculoskeletal problems
• Upper limb pain
• Referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
• Sometimes referred to as ‘RSI’ (Repetitive Strain Injury)
• MSDs should include:
• Back & neck pain
• Leg & foot pain
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Wrist angles
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Working above shoulder height
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Reaching and twisting
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Heights for standing workstations
• Task dependent
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Impact of working angle
Angled work surfaces can give enormous
benefits, but are often impractical.
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Sit/stand workstations
Trying to achieve the best of both worlds
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Good workstation design?
What are the right questions?
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Using tools
Task and tool factors must be considered. The aim is to
achieve the best compromise
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Materials presentation and workstation
layout
Fundamental design problems
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Work height
The real working height isn’t necessarily bench
height
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Work height & layout issues
Reducing Manual Handling problems
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Layout problem
What questions should have been asked by
whom, when, and with what in mind?
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Work equipment
Work equipment orientation
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Work equipment usability
Increasing usability through design
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A classic control/display issue
 Which hob control works
which ring?
 Which stereotypes fit?
 Why?
A
B
C
D
Design this better
w
x
y
z
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Simple solutions
• Work need not be a problem
• Simple intervention is cost effective and easy to do
• Deal with problems, if you ignore them they will get
worse
• Apply basic ergonomics principles
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Final thoughts
• People are influenced by all sorts but mostly…
• You can write their scripts
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Ergonomics information
and references
General reference web sites
• The Institute of Ergonomics and
Human Factors Society
• www.ergonomics.org.uk
• IOSH
• www.iosh.co.uk
• HSE
• www.hse.gov.uk
• Chartered Institute of Building
Surveying Engineers
• www.cibse.org
• Croner
• www.croner.cch.co.uk
• Suzy Lamplugh Trust
• www.suzylamplugh.org/
• Department of Health
• www.doh.gov.uk
• European Agency for S+H @
Work
• //agency.osha.eu.int
• RSI association
• www.rsi-uk.org
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Contact details
Human Applications
The Elms
Elms Grove
Loughborough
Leics LE11 1RG
UK
tel: ++ 44 1509 211866 (01509 211866)
fax: ++ 44 1509 218344 (01509 218344)
e-mail: enquiries@humanapps.co.uk
www.humanapps.co.uk
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