Bahir Dar Institute of Technology Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Bahir Dar Institute of Technology
Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial

Engineering
Industrial Engineering program

BSc. in Industrial Engineering (Ieng 3142)
Migibar S.
Part one: Introduction to Ergonomics
1.1.What is ergonomics ?
The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words:
 ERGO: meaning work
 NOMOS: meaning laws
Therefore, ergonomics is the law of work.

Ergonomics is a science focused on the study of human fit, and
decreased fatigue and discomfort through (e.g product design, work
station design)
Ergonomics is commonly defined as a scientific study focused on
the relationship between man, machine and environment.
Meaning of Ergonomics
 Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with:
 understanding of the 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.
 Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather
than physically forcing the worker’s body to fit the job.
 The application of ergonomics principles to workstation design can result in
increased effectiveness, work quality, health and safety and job satisfaction.
Understanding Ergonomics
Dimension of workstations <<
worker’s body dimensions.
 Ergonomics puts people first,

taking into account their
capabilities and limitations.
 Ergonomics can contribute to

human well-being in terms of
safety, health, and comfort.
Fitting the job to the worker
When job fit the user, the result
can be more comfort, higher
productivity, and less stress.
Ergonomics is defined as:
 the design of:
workplace,
equipment,
machine,
tool,
product,
environment,
and system,
considering human’s capabilities and optimizing effectiveness
and productivity of work systems while assuring safety, health,
and wellbeing of workers.
- Safety Work systems:
- Health -Effectiveness and
-Wellbeing of workers
Assuring
- Productivity
Ergonomics Optimizing
Is
Design of:
- workplace Human’s capabilities like:
- Equipment - Physical
- Machine/ tool - Physiological
- Product Considering - Biomechanical
-Environment and - Psychological
- System
1.2. Historical background of Ergonomics
• Ergonomics developed into a recognized field during the Second World War,
• Physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, scientists and

engineers worked together to address the problems arising from the operation of
complex military equipment.
• Interest in the approach grew rapidly, especially in Europe and the United States,
leading to the foundation in England of the first ever national ergonomics society in
1949, which is when the term ‘ergonomics’ was adopted.
• This was followed in 1961 by the creation of the International Ergonomics

Association (IEA), which at present represents ergonomics societies which are
active in 40 countries or regions, with a total membership of some 20, 000 people.
Why do we need Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is used to prevent injuries and illness.
Examples of risk factors that can cause discomfort, fatigue, injury and
illness are:
 Stretching to reach/Arms Extended
 Repeated heavy lifting/Frequent Hand Use
 Using High pinch force
 Working with hands above shoulder
 Handling objects which are sharp, very hot or cold
 Static body posture
 Noise, vibration
 Bending and twisting
Examples
Examples on:
on: Risk
Risk Factors
Factors
Effects
Effects on
on the
the Operator
Operator Effects
Effects on
on the
the Company
Company
 Fatigue  Poor Quality

 Absenteeism
 Pain
 Higher costs
 Illness – sprains, back  Higher employee turnover &
ache, etc training
 Low morale
 Frustration & Irritation
THE
THE BENEFITS
BENEFITS OF
OF ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS
 Greater job satisfaction

 Higher productivity
 Lower medical & insurance costs
 Higher Quality
 Reduced lost time
 Reduced operator injury
 Lower absenteeism
 Increased morale
 Less employee turnover
1.3. Ergonomics Approaches
According to IEA (International Ergonomics Association),

ergonomics is broadly divided into three domains:-
1.Physical ergonomics: is concerned with human

anatomical (study of the structure of human),
anthropometric (study of human body dimension),
physiological (study of the normal functions ) and
biomechanical (study of the physical mov’t & structure)
characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Typical examples of physical ergonomics interventions include:-
 Designing of a workstation to allow the proper height and
reach to perform the task.
 Selecting a tool with a handle design that reduces awkward
postures for the application.
 Reducing unnecessary tasks and movements to increase
efficiency or decrease errors.
 Tilting and lifting containers to bring work to a proper height
and increase efficiency.
2. Cognitive ergonomics: is concerned with mental
processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and
motor response, as these affect interactions among
humans and other elements of a system.
3. Organizational ergonomics: is concerned with the

optimization of socio-technical systems, including
their organizational structures, policies, and processes.
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with topics such
as:
 communication,
 work design,
 Teamwork,
 resource management,
 shift work, safety culture, job satisfaction, and
motivation.
How groups of people interact with each other in a work
environment is the core of macro ergonomics.
1.4. Ergonomics system Dimensions
People
Tasks
Tools/Equipment
Workplace Design
Work Environment
Work culture
Work Organizations
Work culture
1. People:- consider points about physical capacities,
psychological drivers, expectations and individual
differences.
2. Task Analysis:- considers points about performance
measures, quality requirements & what, how, when details.
3. Tools & Equipment:- considers points about design of
tools to suit (Persons and Tasks).
4. Workplace design:- consider points about layout of
workplace, workstation design, adjustability / adaptability
storage and transport of items.
5. Work Environment:- considers points about physical,
psychological, chemical and biological.
6. Work Organization:- consider points about job design, team
based requirements, working hours / shift work, rest breaks and
task specialization.
7. Workplace culture:- consider points about management

commitment / leadership, communication / consultation
processes and feedback / performance management.
Ergonomics Vs. Human Factors
 Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics.
 HF is the term used to describe the interaction of individuals

with each other, with facilities and equipment, and with
management systems.
 This interaction is influenced by both the working environment
and the culture of the people involved.
 HF-analysis focuses on how these interactions contributes
towards the creation of safe workplace.
Human Factors/Ergonomics
Methods Engineering vs. Ergonomics
Emphasis in Methods Engineering Emphasis in Ergonomics and HF
 Efficiency  Safety
 Cost reduction  Comfort
 Labor reduction  Interaction between human and
equipment
 Workplace layout  Workplace environment
 Facility layout  Fitting the work to the individual
 Elimination of waste  Reduction of human errors
 “One best way”  Accident avoidance
The focus of ergonomics
• The focus is on the interaction between the person and the
machine, and the design of the interface between the two
(Figure below).
• When faced with productivity problems:
 Engineers might call for better machines,
 Personnel management might call for better-trained
people.
 Ergonomists call for a better interface and better
interaction between the user and the machine – better
task design- increased outputs/productivity.
Human-Machine Systems
 Basic model in ergonomics
 Defined as a combination of humans and equipment

interacting to achieve some desired result/output
 Types of human-machine systems:
1. Manual systems
2. Automated systems
Human-Machine Interactions
System Components
1. The human
2. The equipment
3. The environment
1. Human Components
– Human senses - to sense the operation
• Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
– Human brain - for information processing
• Thinking, planning, calculating, making decisions,
solving problems
– Human effectors - to take action
• Fingers, hands, feet, and voice
2. Machine Components
– The process – function or operation performed by human-

machine system
– Displays - to observe the process
• Direct observation for simple processes
• Artificial displays for complex processes
– Controls - to actuate and regulate the process
• Eg. Steering wheel, computer keyboard

3.Environmental Components
• Physical environment
– Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and

humidity
• Social environment
– Co-workers and colleagues at work
– Immediate supervisors
– Organizational culture

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Bahir Dar Institute of Technology

Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial

Industrial Engineering program

 NOMOS: meaning laws

Therefore, ergonomics is the law of work.

 understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a

 the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to

 Ergonomics puts people first,

 Ergonomics can contribute to

• Physiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, medical doctors, scientists and

• This was followed in 1961 by the creation of the International Ergonomics

 Fatigue  Poor Quality

 Greater job satisfaction

According to IEA (International Ergonomics Association),

1.Physical ergonomics: is concerned with human

3. Organizational ergonomics: is concerned with the

7. Workplace culture:- consider points about management

 HF is the term used to describe the interaction of individuals

 Cost reduction  Comfort

 Labor reduction  Interaction between human and

 Basic model in ergonomics

 Defined as a combination of humans and equipment

– The process – function or operation performed by human-

• Direct observation for simple processes

• Artificial displays for complex processes

– Controls - to actuate and regulate the process

• Eg. Steering wheel, computer keyboard

– Location and surrounding lighting, noise, temperature, and

– Co-workers and colleagues at work

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