Ergonomics in the Workplace
INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS As in all sciences, the study of ergonomics is believed to have started with human evolution itself. It has been a quest to find a natural fit between humans and their tools. Just like prehistoric men developed tools to fit their needs, for hunting, eating, sitting and sleeping. With time tools were engineered with an understanding of how we us them and to make them better. As time has passed by engineers have developed tools that fit the humans need, in return they developed better chairs for sitting, mats for standing on, even automobiles have improved for seating.
Some people do not know what ergonomics is so here is a brief explanation. The term ergonomics came up in the writings of (Wojciech Jastrzebowski, 1857). In the 19th century, Fredric Winslow Taylor introduced ‘Scientific Management’ proposing ways to improve productivity in factories. Ergonomics is a complex science of a combination of physics, biology, psychology, engineering and design (Radoslaw, 2010).
The definition of ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principals, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance ( International Ergonomics Association, 2009 ). For us workers making sure that the machinery, tools, and furniture associated with a job fit the workers who do that job in a field of engineering called ergonomics, or human engineering. A properly designed workplace can reduce worker fatigue and increase safety on the job (Compton’s encyclopedia, 2009).
ERGONOMICS CONTINUED
As early as the 18th century, doctors noticed that workers whose jobs required them to maintain certain body positions for long periods of time developed musculoskeletal problems. There are two factors at work here: “static work” and “force”. “Static work” refers to the musculoskeletal effort
Some people do not know what ergonomics is so here is a brief explanation. The term ergonomics came up in the writings of (Wojciech Jastrzebowski, 1857). In the 19th century, Fredric Winslow Taylor introduced ‘Scientific Management’ proposing ways to improve productivity in factories. Ergonomics is a complex science of a combination of physics, biology, psychology, engineering and design (Radoslaw, 2010).
The definition of ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principals, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance ( International Ergonomics Association, 2009 ). For us workers making sure that the machinery, tools, and furniture associated with a job fit the workers who do that job in a field of engineering called ergonomics, or human engineering. A properly designed workplace can reduce worker fatigue and increase safety on the job (Compton’s encyclopedia, 2009).
ERGONOMICS CONTINUED
As early as the 18th century, doctors noticed that workers whose jobs required them to maintain certain body positions for long periods of time developed musculoskeletal problems. There are two factors at work here: “static work” and “force”. “Static work” refers to the musculoskeletal effort
References: Designing for Humans. Design Research-Ergonomics-Human Factors-Usability. Retrieved from, http://www.designing for humans.com/isda/anthropometric_data/ Holly A. Sweeny.(1998). How the Alexander Technique can help. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://www.alexandertechnique.com/ergonomics.html Humanic Ergonomics. What is Ergonomics? Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://www.humanics-es.com/def-erg.htm Radslaw. (2010). Ergonomics: A History 59. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://hubpages.com/hub/Ergonomic_A_History U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html