What is Ergonomics What Ergonomics Does Names for the Discipline The Ergonomic Knowledge Base

the

application

of

scientific

principles, methods, & data drawn

from a variety of disciplines to the development of engineering systems in which people play a significant role

adapts the human-made world to the people involved because it focuses on the human as the most important component of our technological systems

the study of human characteristics for the appropriate environment design of the living & work

Among the Basic Disciplines are as follows: a. Psychology b. Cognitive Science c. Physiology

d. Biomechanics
e. Applied Physical Anthropometry f. Industrial Systems Engineering

The Engineering Systems to be developed must:

--- range from the use of a simple tool by

a consumer to a multi-person, sociotechnical system

The Ergonomics Specialists involved in the system design process: --- united by a singular perspective on (that) process

--- design begins with an understanding of the users role in overall system performance & that system exist to serve their users, whether they are consumers, system operators, production workers,

or maintenance crews
(this user-oriented design philosophy acknowledges

human variability as a design

parameter)

Resultant Design: incorporates features that take advantage of unique human capabilities as well as build in safeguards to avoid or

reduce the impact of unpredictable human

error

How to measure Success:

--by improved productivity, efficiency, & safety --- acceptance of the resultant system design --- improved quality of human life

Hierarchy of Goals in Ergonomics: 1. To generate tolerable working conditions that do not pose known dangers to human life or health. 2. To generate acceptable conditions upon which the people involved can voluntarily agree. 3. To generate optimal conditions which are so well adapted to human characteristics, capabilities, & desires, that physical, mental & social well-being is achieved.

The Fundamental Goal of Ergonomics:

--- all human-made tools, devices,

equipment, machines, & environments

should advance, directly or indirectly, the

safety, well-being, & performance of human

beings

The Utmost Goal of ergonomics:

the humanization of work

may be symbolized by the E & E of ease & efficiency, for which all technological systems & their elements should be designed (such design requires knowledge of the characteristics of the people involved, particularly

of their dimensions, their capabilities, & their

limitations)

Two Distinct Aspects of Ergonomics: 1. Study, research, & experimentation, in which we determine specific human traits & characteristics that we need to know for engineering design.

2. Application & engineering, in which we design tools, machines, shelter, environments, work

tasks, & job procedures, to fit & accommodate the humans.

January 1950

13

&

14,

British

researchers

met

in

Cambridge, England to discuss

the name of a new society to

represent their activities

among

others,

the

term

ergonomics was proposed February 16, 1950 Ergonomics new society was at its formally council

accepted as the name of the meeting

Ergonomics
had been coined in late 1949 by K. F. H. Murell derived from the Greek terms ergon (work & effort) & nomos (law or usage) the term was neutral, implying no priority of contributing disciplines easily remembered & recognized & could be used in any language

1956

in US, a group of persons convened to establish a formal society the name ergonomics was rejected & instead human

factors was selected

often, the word engineering is added or substituted to

indicate applications

ERGONOMICS

HUMAN FACTORS

Origin, Developments, and Application of Ergonomics