Ergonomic Tips (04/01)
The study of Ergonomics
by John R. Chait D.C., drchait@home.com
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.
Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science, and has only just celebrated its 50th anniversary. It relies on research carried out in many other older, established scientific areas, such as Chiropractic, engineering, physiology and psychology.
The study of Ergonomics originated in World War 2, when scientists designed advanced new and potentially improved systems, without considering the final actions of the people who would be using them. It slowly became clear that methods and products would have to be redesigned to take account of many human and environmental factors if they are to be used to a safe and effective extent. This awareness of these requirements resulted in the discipline of ergonomics.
Most people have heard of ergonomics and think it is something to do with seating or with the design of car controls and instruments. It is this and much more. Ergonomics is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use. Ergonomics comes into everything, which involves people. Work, sports and leisure are all tended to. Health and Safety should all embody ergonomics principles if well designed.
Some time ago, researchers compared the relative positions of the
controls on a lathe with the size of an average male worker. It was
found that the lathe operator would have to stoop and move from side to
side to operate the lathe controls. An 'ideal' sized person to fit the
lathe would be just 4.5 feet tall, 2 feet across the shoulders and have
an arm span of 8 feet.
This example epitomizes the deficiency in design when no account has been taken of the person using the device. People come in all shapes and sizes, and this takes the variability into account when influencing the design process.
In addition to physical size and strength, compatibility of controls, motion, sound, vision, temperature, vibration and workloads are all extremely important.
Vision is usually the primary channel for information, yet systems are often so poorly designed that the user is unable to see the work area clearly. Many workers that use computers cannot see their screens because of glare, reflections or monitor position. Others, doing precise assembly tasks, work in dimly lighted and suffer extreme eyestrain and reduced output as a result of not paying attention to basic ergonomic rules.
Sound can be a useful way to provide information, especially for
problems and warning signals. However, care must be taken not to surpass
this sensory channel. A recent airliner had 16 different audio warnings,
far too many for a pilot to deal with in an emergency situation. A
smarter approach was to have just a few audio signals to alert the pilot
to get information guidance from a nearby visual display.
Motion and vibration can have a damaging effect upon the worker's effectiveness, health and comfort, ranging from motion sickness in vehicles to white finger syndrome for vibrating hand tool users. Pollution and 'Sick Building Syndrome' also need to be taken into account in many working situations.
All human aspects need to be studied and to fit each job and to any working or leisure situation. Any residual symptoms experienced by people on or off the job should be checked by your friendly neighborhood Chiropractor.
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Copyright 2001. This article is from the April 2001 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/
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