Ergonomics Health and Soundness
Richard Halstead-Nussloch
13 September 1999
Agenda
Human Performance Technology
The Benefits of Ergonomic Workspace Design
Three Key Principles of Ergonomics
Areas of the Task and Workplace that Require Design
Measurable Outcomes
Assignments
Human Performance Technology
An engineering approach to attaining desired accomplishments from human performers. HPT considers five variables or elements:
The performer (user, operator)
Inputs to the performer
Outputs of the performer
Consequences of the performer’s actions
Feedback the performer receives about performance
HPT--Perspectives on Work
Figure P.1 (page xiii) The Organization View
The Cross-Functional View of the Work Process
The Job/Perfomer View of Work
Experts in HPT, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Usability, etc must work across and balance these perspectives on work
HPT--Ostrom’s View on Value
Discomfort in and complaints about the work environment
What to fix?
Worker
Work environment
Ostrom: Focus on fixing the work environment
The Benefits of Ergonomic Workspace Design
Ergonomics:
ergon (work) nomos (laws)
Grandjean - "Fitting the task to the person"
Two centuries of industrialization: Standardization
Standardized parts and processes (Whitney and Ford)
Standardized tasks (Taylor)
To this date, the focus has been on "Fitting the person to the task."
Benefits of Ergonomics: Injury and Discomfort from Standardization
Injury: CTD, RMS, RSI, etc.
Discomfort: pain, stress, and tension
Costs of injury and discomfort
Benefit: Avoid disease, discomfort, & costs
Benefit: Job and life enrichment
Benefit: Quality
Three Key Principles of Ergonomics
Fit the task and workplace to the individual
Design the (task and) workplace for individuals with a range of body sizes
Design the (task and) workplace for individuals at the extremes of the body-size range and capability limits.
Training is NOT a substitute for sound design.
Areas of the (Task and) Workplace that Require Design
The posture required by the (task and) workplace.
The activities associated with the (task and) workplace.
The environment of the (task and) workplace.
Posture
What is good posture? Determined by gravity:
Seek neutral position
Generally right angles/parallel lines with gravity
Mechanical advantage and reach (mouse)
Variation counteracts fatigue (take breaks)
Anthropometry--Size and strength
Furniture design is key
Activities and Tasks
Biomechanical forces
Work physiology
Psychophysics
Epidemiology
Cognitive ergonomics
Task analysis and design
Guidelines (pages 25-26)
Environment
Lighting
Thermal
Noise
Vibration
Air Quality
Guidelines (pages 27-28)
Measurable Outcomes
Medical expenses
Productivity
Training costs
Morale
Others:
Assignments
Physical ergonomics assessment in the office (Due 11 October, worth 15%)
Read and research the background (Ostrom Chapter 2)
Bid within an office environment for assessing:
Posture (Ostrom Chapter 3)
Activities (Ostrom Chapter 4)
Environment (Ostrom Chapter 5)
Perform assessment and develop a report
GOAL: Develop content for an Office Ergonomics Website
Assignments
HF and Usability in UI Design, (8 Nov., worth 15%)
Read and research the background
Requirements definition (carryover)
User Analysis
Task Analysis and UI/Workflow Design
Design and Prototype
Optional Usability Evaluation
GOAL: Develop an Office Ergonomics Website Prototype
Assignments
Final project (Proposal, 18 October, 5% and Product, 13 December, 15%)
Review requirements on web and comment next class.
CS--Prototype Office ergonomics, implement registrar or VRML tour web site
QA--Ergonomics assessment in the industrial environment
Discussion tonight and next week
Summary
Human Performance Technology
The Benefits of Ergonomic Workspace Design
Three Key Principles of Ergonomics
Areas of the Task and Workplace that Require Design
Measurable Outcomes
Assignments