LBYIE2E - 5 Lab Experiments in Physical Ergonomics

5 Experiments
in
Physical Ergonomics
Laboratory
EXPERIMENT 1
Illumination
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to learn the application of the Philippine Standard in Interior
Lighting for assessing the degree of illumination and design of light sources in different
environments. The environments that will be considered for this experiment are the following:
 Kitchen
 Study room
MATERIALS
Photometer (downloadable app from the internet) Here is the link below:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.doggoapps.luxlight&hl=en
Bondpaper, 8.5 x 11
Ballpen
Smartphone with camera
Scientific calculator
PROCEDURES
1. Obtain schematic layout (not necessarily drawn-to-scale) of the area indicating all fixtures and
equipment locations. Include the layout of the luminaires.
2. Identify the different activities being done in the area. Include all activities in the illumination
measurement analysis.
3. Measure the illuminance using photometer on designated areas. Take note that if the area is
used only in the morning, then measurements of illumination should be taken in the morning
considering natural sources of light (i.e., sunlight). However, if this area is also used at night,
then measurements should also be taken at night to determine if it is also properly illuminated.
4. After measuring the illumination, the group must also assess the workplace for possible
sources of glare.
5. Prepare a report and analyze if the interior lighting design in the area is appropriate according
to the Philippine Standard for Interior Lighting.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Do the lighting systems evaluated based from the different activities involved in the area
conform to the Philippine Standard for Interior Lighting?
2. How can sources of glare be controlled? Give recommendations how the glare in the
area can be minimized if not eliminated.
3. Are there any improvements needed in terms of illumination? Suggest at least 3
improvements.
EXPERIMENT 2
Noise Level
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the experiment, the students must be able to:
1. Understand the concept of sound intensity and how can it be measured
2. Determine whether the average personal noise exposure of each individual in day is
within acceptable level
MATERIALS
Bondpaper, 8.5 x 11
Noise level meter (downloadable app from the internet) Here is the link below:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=app.tools.soundmeter.decibel.noisedetector&hl=en
Ballpen
Scientific calculator
PROCEDURES
1. Identify the activities being done by a student for a day (8 hour working hour, it could be
8am to 5pm). Specify the locations where he is exposed to sound.
2. Record the sound intensities that he experienced in a day and how long he is exposed to
the noise using a sound level meter.
3. Record the time exposure for 2 days (Each day consists of an 8-hour work period).
4. Compute for the percent noise dose and the average noise exposure by the student.
5. Analyze the noise exposure in terms of safety and productivity.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. How does percent noise dose affect the performance of the individual?
2. Is the average noise exposure level safe for the individual?
3. Does the noise exposure affect the normal hearing of the individual?
EXPERIMENT 3
Anthropometry
OBJECTIVES
The experiment aims to:
1. Gather relevant anthropometric data for evaluating a design

2. Use anthropometry in determining the appropriate dimensions of a product
MATERIALS
Tape measure/steel tape
Ballpen
Bondpaper, 8.5 x 11
PROCEDURES
1. Consider your home computer workstation consisting of the following components and
measure all relevant dimensions:
a. Chair
b. Computer table
c. Computer and mouse
Define all the activities being done by the users in the computer workstation.
2. Gather all the current and possible users of the workstation and measure anthropometric
data. Compute for the appropriate percentile to be used in the design.
3. Evaluate the design of the workstation by comparing it with the computed percentile of
the body measurements of all possible users.
4. Make specific recommendations on the identified problems based on the evaluation

made.
Guide Questions for the Evaluation
1. Is the design desirable for the selected subjects? Do all the users fit in the workstation?
2. What problems might be encountered by the users of this workstation design?
3. Provide a detailed drawing of the present and proposed design and dimensions of the
workstation.
EXPERIMENT 4
Posture Assessment
OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the disorders experienced by the following workers:

a. Work-from-home (WFH) office computer worker
b. Home cooks
2. To document the body movements and illustrate posture assumed by the WFH office
computer workers and home cooks.
3. To determine possible causes of disorders and discomforts experienced
MATERIALS
Smartphone with camera

Goniometer (downloadable app from the internet) Here is the link below:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scriptlanes.goniometer&hl=en
Protractor
Ballpen
PROCEDURES
1. Gather 5 workers assigned to your group.

2. Take pictures of workers while doing their tasks. Picture the right side and left side of
the worker. When taking pictures maintain a uniform distance of 3 m.
3. Interview workers of discomforts or pain experienced while doing their job.
4. Measure the angles of the different body parts (lower arm, upper arm, neck, trunk) using
a goniometer.
5. Assess the posture using an appropriate tool.
EXPERIMENT 5
NIOSH Lifting Equation
PROCEDURE
1. Design your own experiment for a lifting task using the NIOSH Lifting Equation.
2. Objectives:
a. To measure and record task variables.
b. To determine the multipliers using the tables provided in Manual
Handling lecture.
c. To compute the recommended weight limit (RWL) using NIOSH
lifting equation.
d. To compute the lifting index (LI) using the computed RWL.
e. To assess if the manual lifting task is safe or unsafe for the worker
using the computed lifting index (LI).
3. Discuss and write down clearly the procedures done in the experiment.
4. The data results and analysis should be in line with the objectives.
5. Follow the outline of previous experiments done.

LBYIE2E - 5 Lab Experiments in Physical Ergonomics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

LBYIE2E - 5 Lab Experiments in Physical Ergonomics

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

LBYIE2E - 5 Lab Experiments in Physical Ergonomics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

5 Experiments

At the end of the experiment, the students must be able to:

1. Understand the concept of sound intensity and how can it be measured

5. Analyze the noise exposure in terms of safety and productivity.

2. Is the average noise exposure level safe for the individual?

The experiment aims to:

1. Gather relevant anthropometric data for evaluating a design

Tape measure/steel tape

4. Make specific recommendations on the identified problems based on the evaluation

Guide Questions for the Evaluation

1. To determine the disorders experienced by the following workers:

3. To determine possible causes of disorders and discomforts experienced

Smartphone with camera

1. Gather 5 workers assigned to your group.

You might also like