Ergonomics

ERGONOMICS
sulficker@outlook.com
Introduction
The word "Ergonomics" comes from two
Greek words "ergon", meaning work, and
"nomos" meaning "laws".
Today, however, the word is used to describe
the science of "designing the job to fit the
worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job.
Ergonomics covers all aspects of a job, from
the physical stresses to environmental
factors .

Cont..
Physical stressors include repetitive motions such
as those caused by typing or continual use of a
manual screwdriver.
Working in an awkward position can also cause
problems.
Repetitive motions, vibration, excessive force,
and awkward positions are frequently linked to
ergonomic disorders.
The majority of "Cumulative Trauma
Disorders "(CTDs) or "Repetitive Strain Injuries"
(RSIs), are caused by repetitive motions.
Cont..
Environmental factors could include such things
as indoor air quality or excessive noise.
"Sick building syndrome", with its accompanying
headaches, congestion, fatigue and even rashes,
can result from poor air quality in a building or
office.
Excessive noise around heavy machinery or
equipment can cause permanent hearing loss.
Improper lighting can cause eyestrain and
headaches, especially in conjunction with a
computer monitor.
Definition
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific
discipline concerned with the understanding
of interactions among humans and other
elements of a system, and the profession that
applies theory, principles, data and methods
to design in order to optimize human well-
being and overall system performance.
International Ergonomics Association

Objectives
To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency
with which work and other activities are
carried out.
To enhance certain desirable human values,
including improved safety, reduced fatigue
and stress, increased comfort, .greater user
acceptance, increased job satisfaction, and
improved quality of life.

Design of work areas (including office furniture,
automobile interiors, and aircraft cockpits)
Disposition of switches and gauges on the control
panels of machinery
Determining the size, shape, and layout of keys on
computer terminals
Character height, colour, and clarity on video
displays Etc.

APPLICATIONS
SYSTEMS
A central and fundamental concept in human
factors is the system.
A system is an entity that exists to carry out
some purpose.
A system is composed of humans, machines,
and other things that work together (interact)
to accomplish some goal which these same
components could not produce
independently.
Man-machine systems
Man-machine system as a combination of one
or more human beings and one or more
physical components interacting to bring
about, from given inputs, some desired
output.
We can generally consider systems in three
broad classes: manual, mechanical, and
automatic .
Schematic Representation of a Man-
machine system
Types of systems.
Manual Systems.
A manual system consists of hand tools
and other aids which are coupled by a human
operator who controls the operation.
Operators of such systems use their own
physical energy as the power source.
Cont..
Mechanical Systems
These systems (also referred to as semiautomatic
systems) consist of well-integrated physical parts,
such as various types of powered machine tools.
They are generally designed to perform their
functions with little variation.
The power typically is provided by the machine,
and the operator's function is essentially one of
control, usually by the use of control devices.
Cont..
Automated Systems
When a system is fully automated, it performs all
operational functions with little or no human
intervention.
Robots are a good example of an automated system.
All automated systems require humans to install,
program, reprogram, and maintain them. Automated
systems must be designed with the same attention
paid to human factors that would be given to any
other type of human-machine system.
Characteristics of Systems
Systems are purposive
Systems can be hierarchical
Systems operate in an environment
Components serve functions
Sensing
Information storage
Information processing and decision
Action functions
Components interact
Systems, Subsystems, and Components Have Inputs
and Outputs

Cont..
DISPLAYING INFORMATION
Information presented by displays can be considered
dynamic or static.
Dynamic information continually changes or is subject
to change through time.
Examples include traffic lights that change from red to
green, speedometers, radar displays, and temperature
gauges.
Static information remains fixed over time (or at least
for a time).
Examples include printed, written, and other forms of
alphanumeric data; traffic signs; charts; graphs; and labels.

Types of Information Presented by Displays

Quantitative information
Qualitative information
Status Information
Warning and signal information
Representational information
Identification information
Alphanumeric and symbolic information
Time-phased information

Visual Displays
The basic visual system gives rise to several
visual capabilities that have important
implications for the design of visual displays.
A few of them are
Accommodation
Visual Acuity
Contrast Sensitivity

Text: HARDCOPY
Hardcopy refers to information on paper.
Human factors:
Visibility
Legibility
Readability
Typography
The term typography refers to the various features
of alphanumeric characters, individually and
collectively.
Typography
Stroke Width
Width-to-Height Ratio
Size
Case
Layout
Inter letter spacing
Interline spacing
Reading Ease
Type of Sentence
Order of Words
Indices of Readability

TEXT: VDT SCREENS
Reading text from a VDT (visual display
terminal) or VDU (visual display unit or
computer screen) is not the same as reading
text from hardcopy.
The higher the resolution of the screen, the
less the difference between reading from a
VDT and reading from hardcopy.
Hardware considerations
Polarity
Color Monochrome
Screen Design Issues
Density
Grouping
Complexity
Highlighting

QUANTITATIVE VISUAL DISPLAYS
The objective of quantitative displays is to
provide information about the quantitative
value of some variable.
Conventional quantitative displays are
mechanical devices of one of the following
types:
Fixed scale with moving pointer
Moving scale with fixed pointer
Digital display
Features
Numeric Progressions of Scales
Length of scale unit
Design of scale markers
Scale markers and Interpolation
Design of pointers
Combining scale features
Scale size and viewing distance

QUALITATIVE VISUAL DISPLAYS
In using displays for obtaining qualitative
information, the user is primarily interested in
the approximate value of some continuously
changeable variable (such as temperature.
pressure, or speed) or in its trend, or rate of
change.
The basic underlying data used for such
purposes usually are quantitative.
Cont..
Qualitative data may be used as the basis for
qualitative reading in at least three ways:
1. For determining the status or condition of the
variable in terms of each of a limited number of
predetermined ranges.
2. For maintaining some desirable range of
approximate values
3. for observing trends, rates of change, etc.
Auditory
Where information is presented to you via
your ears.
These displays are good at attracting attention
when vision can't be used (at night or with
someone with limited sight, for example).
Tare often used to draw attention to
something (a car indicator clicking), and as
emergency alarm systems (a fire alarm).

Tactile
where information is presented to via sense of
touch.
The human tactile system is not as sensitive to
differences or changes in stimulus as either the
visual or auditory systems.
An example of a tactile display is the Braille
alphabet for the blind. The tactile sense can also
tell you subtle information like temperature or
surface condition (wet, sticky, slimy etc.)
Design of Controls
Coding of Controls
Shape Coding of Controls
The discrimination of shape-coded controls essentially
involves tactual sensitivity.
Texture Coding of Controls
Control devices can vary in surface texture.
Size Coding of Controls
When such coding is used, the different sizes
should be discriminable one from the others.
Location Coding of Controls
Cont..
Operational Method of Coding Controls
In this method of coding controls, each control has its
own unique method of operation.
Each can be activated only by the movement that is
unique to it.
Color Coding
Color can be useful for identifying controls and colors
can often be picked that are meaningful.
Label Coding of Controls
Labels are probably the most common method of
identifying controls and should be considered as the
minimum coding requirement for any control.
Display and Control Relationships
The direction of movement of a control should
correspond with the direction of movement of
the display.
For example, when a rotary control is moved right, the
display should move right if it is a dial, or up if it is a vertical
scale.
The stereotype expectation of a control should
be matched by the display.
For example, a right handed or clockwise turn of a
rotary control suggests an increase, so the display
should record an increase with the pointer going
the same direction.

Cont..
Physical relationship between a control and
the related display.
Display instruments should be located as close as
possible to the controls that affect them.
The layout of the controls should be similar to the
layout of the displays, especially if they are on
separate panels.
Use coding such as colors to indicate relationships.
The controls and displays should be close enough
together to permit the operator to see both
without assuming an awkward posture.
Cont..
For concentric controls, the smallest controls display
should be nearest to the control or on the left, and
the largest knobs display should be farthest or to the
right. Color coding is recommended.
Arrange controls and displays in sequence of
operation.( left to right and top to bottom)
Functionally group controls and displays.
Use coding to differentiate the groups
Operators expect each similar set of controls to
operate identically
Cont..
Organize by frequency of use. The most
frequently used displays and controls and
emergency controls should be in a prime
operating space, within a 30visual cone.
Labeling of controls and displays should allow for
operator needs.
Each setting should be labeled to read control settings
while making adjustments.
The need to see the display while using the control to
change a setting.
The need to quickly identify emergency controls.
The need to have consistent location for labels relative
to displays and controls between workstations or
machine sections.
Cont..
For displays that have controls directly
beneath, one label can be used for the group.
The label is usually placed to the right of or
below the control.
WORKPLACE DESIGN
An individual work station should provide the
operator with a comfortable sitting position
sufficiently flexible to reach, use, and observe the
screen, keyboard, and document
The goal for the design of workplaces is to design
for as many people as possible and to have an
understanding of the Ergonomic principles of
posture and movement which play a central role
in the provision of a safe, healthy and
comfortable work environment

Design considerations
First priority: Primary visual tasks
Second priority: Primary controls that interact with
primary visual tasks
Third priority: Control-display relationships (put
controls near associated displays, compatible
movement relationships, etc.)
Fourth priority: Arrangement of elements to be used in
sequence
Fifth priority: Convenient location of elements that are
used frequently
Sixth priority: Consistency with other layouts within
the system or in other systems
THANK YOU !

Ergonomics

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