NEW TRENDS IN INDUSTRIAL

ENGINEERING

ERGONOMICS

What is Ergonomics?

- a field of study dealing with the comfort and safety of the human body by adjusting tools, work stations and work processes to fit the worker.

Human-Machine Relationship

-how humans can be best integrated with machines to maximize safety & task performance.

Human-Machine Relationship Office Ergonomics

-the branch of ergonomics dealing with the office environment.

-the aim of ergonomics is to minimize the mismatch that occurs between the person and the job or match the capabilities of humans and the requirements of the job they are expected to perform.

Human-Machine Relationship Office Ergonomics Alexander Technique

- It guides you to do all your normal physical activities like sitting, standing, etc without tensing your body. It is NOT AN EXERCISE or a TREATMENT, but IT EDUCATES you to improve the quality of your life.

Human-Machine Relationship Office Ergonomics Alexander Technique Psychosocial & Organizational Aspect of Work

-What is a psychosocial factor?

Psychosocial factors are those factors that affect a person psychologically or socially.

What are psychosocial risk factors?

Psychosocial risk factors are things that may affect workers' psychological response to their work and workplace conditions (including working relationships with supervisors and colleagues).

Human-Machine Relationship Office Ergonomics Alexander Technique Psychosocial & Organizational Aspect of Work Ergonomic Injuries

-Ergonomic injuries, often called musculoskeletal disorders, affect the

muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints and/or blood vessels.

Ergonomic injuries are typically caused by or made worse with repeated

exertions, awkward positions and / or forceful movements.

WORKPLACE INJURY PRECAUTIONS

Safety Training Understanding Job Risks Following Safety Precautions Preventing Common Injuries 

Ergonomic Factors to Consider

Does it suit your body size? Does it also suit all other users? Can you see and hear all you need to easily? Do you understand all information presented? Do errors occur frequently, and is it easy to recover

from them? Des the equipment or system cause discomfort if you

use it for any length of time?

Is it convenient to use? Is it easy to learn to use? Is it compatible with other systems in use? Could any of these aspects be improved? Do other users have similar reactions?

Identifying Problems

Causes of accident & near misses may be attributable to people being: Unable to see important displays; Unable to reach controls; Unable to work in a comfortable position; Overloaded with to much information at one time; Inattentive because there is too little to do or too little

variety Medical and absences records may also reveal problems

with particular jobs or tasks

Solutions

Risks can be reduced by changes to designs of workstations, tools and work organization

Simple solutions are often better Involve and consult the workforce Monitor remedial actions to ensure

effectiveness

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Office Ergonomics

the branch of ergonomics dealing with the office

environment.It aims to minimize the

mismatch that occurs between the person and the job or match the capabilities of

humans and the requirements of the job they are expected to

perform.

Sources of injury in the office

•Falls

•Repetitive movements.

• The way you sit or stand (posture).

• Bending over, lifting heavy objects, or using pressure or force.

• Working with vibrating tools.

• The average person working at a keyboard can perform 50,000 to 200,000 keystrokes a day

• Overexertion, falls & RMI are the most common cause of workplace injury

• An average of 125,000 back injuries due to improper lifting each year.

• Muscles overuse results in tiny tears in the muscles and scarring; these contribute to inflammation and muscle stiffness

Facts About Ergonomics

What causes Nerve Compression or Entrapment?

1) Repeated motions

2) Tight muscles

3) Inflammation of surrounding tissues

4) Misalignment of the nerve

What are 4 Common Nerve injuries?

I. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: brachial plexus compression d/t muscle tightness side of neck from poor head position or slumped posture.

S/Sx: numbness/tingling in hand, made worse w/overhead activities or cradling phone b/w ear and shoulder

Nerve injuries

II. Radial tunnel syndrome: compressed radial nerve @ outside of elbow d/t repetitive wrist & finger extension or turning of forearm

S/Sx: Sensations from elbow to base of thumb w/ wrist weakness a common sx

Nerve injuries

III. Cubital tunnel syndrome: ulnar nerve compression inside of the elbow d/t repetitive bending of elbow or resting your elbow on a hard surface

S/Sx: numbness or tingling and inside of arm w/ tingling to ring & little fingers

Nerve injuries

IV. Carpal tunnel syndrome: compression of median nerve at level of carpal tunnel

Where is carpal tunnel? Formed @ wrist by ligament over the carpal bones in handS/Sx: numbness or tingling in thumb, index, or middle finger & ½ of ring finger

Correct & Incorrect Techniques

Ergonomics Standards

Ergonomics Standards

General Ergonomics

Standards

Office Ergonomics

Standards

Ergonomics Standards

Vehicle Ergonomics

Standards

Thermal Ergonomics Standards

Ergonomics Standards

Machine Ergonomics

Standards

Human System Interaction

Ergonomics Standards

New ISO standard on the basic principles of ergonomics

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles

and concepts“A substantial number of ergonomics standards have been developed to cover specific issues and different application domains, but ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles and concepts, will serve as an umbrella reference for all such standards and provide an integrated framework bringing together the basic principles and concepts of ergonomics in one document, and thus providing a high-level view of the way in which ergonomics is applied“

Georg Krämer, Chair of ISO Technical Committee

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles

and concepts

ISO 26800 describes these fundamental principles in order to improve safety,

performance and usability (effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction), while

safeguarding and enhancing human health and well-being, and improving accessibility,

e.g. for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles

and concepts

The intended users of this standard are designers, ergonomists and project

managers, as well as managers, workers, consumers and procurers. Its specific goal is to facilitate task performance, safeguard and enhance the safety, health and well-being of

the worker, or the user/operator of products/equipment, by optimizing tasks,

equipment, services, and the environment.

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles

and concepts

This standard deals with • the ergonomic approach,

• the principles of ergonomics• the concepts of ergonomics, and

• the ergonomics-oriented design process and conformity.

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles

and concepts

ISO 26800:2011, Ergonomics – General approach, principles and concepts, was developed by ISO technical committee

ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, subcommittee SC 1

Five Changing Trends in Managing Workplace

Ergonomics1. Getting Proactive

Fifteen to 30 years ago:The focus of most ergonomics

programs was on MSD injuries.

REACTIVE APPROACH

Today, the leading companies are

PROACTIVE.

Five Changing Trends in Managing Workplace

Ergonomics2. Integrating the Process

Companies with effective ergonomics programs tend to manage ergonomics as a process that is aligned with, or integrated into, existing improvement processes.

These improvement processes may include :

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaContinuous ImprovementSafety Management Systems.

Five Changing Trends in Managing Workplace

Ergonomics

3. Engaging Others and Shifting Ownership

Two critical elements of safety and environmental management systems:

Employee Involvement

•They can adjust their own

workstations

•Become members of an

ergonomics or safety team

involved in assessing and

improving conditions

•Participate in a Kaizen event.

Management LeadershipTraditionally, safety professionals have driven ergonomic improvements in an effort to reduce injuries, but all along they have been the wrong people to do this.

Ergonomics is an Engineering Discipline.

The responsibility for designing workstations, processes, tools, and workflow resides with engineers (process, industrial, and facilities engineers, as well as space planners and product designers).

Five Changing Trends in Managing Workplace

Ergonomics4. Moving Upstream

•Consistently addressing ergonomics in the design phase of new processes, equipment, layouts, and products is a common practice of advanced organizations.

•The greatest value of good upstream design is the reduced cost of making changes.

•Progressive leading companies have integrated design criteria in their phase gate review process and hold projects and people accountable for designing workplaces and tasks with low exposure to MSD risk factors.

Five Changing Trends in Managing Workplace

Ergonomics5. Addressing the Office

1980’s - Office Ergonomics were in-person evaluations by EHS staff, chair fitting rooms, lots of custom solutions for each person, and classroom training.

Thirty years later, we are a bit smarter:•There is less dependency on in-person assessments.•Workstations and chairs have a full range of adjustability.•Office workstation design is based on computer use.•Employee training focuses on enabling people to assess and adjust their own workstations.

•The biggest trend in managing office ergonomics has been the movement toward Employee-driven Assessments and Workplace Changes.

•By providing online training and self-assessments, employers are enabling and empowering individuals to take the first steps in adjusting their workstations to fit them.

COMMON ISSUES AND BARRIERS:

Two common challenges with managingergonomics that companies at all levels ofprogram maturity have experienced:

Funding for training and engineering solutions.

Failure to use or meet established ergonomic design standards.

10 Principles of Ergonomics

• Work in Neutral Postures• Reduce Excessive Force• Keep Everything in Easy Reach• Work at Proper Heights• Reduce Excessive Motions• Minimize Fatigue and Static Load• Minimize Pressure Points• Provide Clearance• Move, Exercise, and Stretch• Maintain a Comfortable Environment

Other Fields of Ergonomics

• Cognitive Ergonomics• Participative Ergonomics• Behavioral Based Ergonomics• Ergonomics of Innovation• The ergonomics of dishonesty

Cognitive Ergonomics

studies cognition in work settings, in order to optimize human well-being and system performance

focuses on the fit between human cognitive abilities and limitations and the machine, task, environment

Cognitive ergonomics aim to enhance performance of cognitive tasks by:user-centered design of human-

machine interaction and human-computer interaction

design of information technology systems that support cognitive tasks

development of training programs work redesign to manage cognitive

workload and increase human reliability

Participative Ergonomics

Resources and Support:• time for the program to develop• time to develop and implement solutions• financial resources to make meaningful

changes in the workplace• management support for the individuals on

the ergonomics team.

• Behavioral Based Ergonomics• Ergonomics of InnovationHow to make it successful?• think about how to build upon a

successful blend of existing ideas rather than develop the newest and most radical ones.

• set a public, inspiring, and difficult goal, and then break it down into manageable chunks.

• improve the chances that innovative ideas will spread by encouraging our organizations to identify possible ways to help others understand and apply new products, systems, and procedures.

• The Ergonomics of Dishonesty

Participatory Ergonomics

A Path to Sustainable Ergonomics

Participatory Ergonomics?

Two extremes to foster ergonomics: Top-Down “Push” Bottom-Up “Pull”

Top-Down “Push”

Bottom-Up “Pull”

In practice, it’s push-and-pull that leads to success and sustainability

PUSH PULL

The role of the Ergonomist: Leadership & participation Gaining respect & approval from

leadership Gaining respect & approval from

associates & stakeholders Providing ergonomics expertise Developing repeatable,

sustainable processes Pushing & pulling as needed

Examples of Participatory Ergonomics:

Applied Ergonomics

Conference Ergo Cup Competitions

Breakthroughs in Ergonomics

Engineering

RAMSIS

• Special functions are the realistic replay of international body data, as well as efficient analysis for visibility, comfort and ergonomics formulations. With RAMSIS, package and design studies can be extensively dealt with throughout the construction phase of the vehicle.

JACK

• Vis Jack is fundamentally a static human factors analysis tool.

DELMIA Human

• leading Digital Human Modeling application, lifelike human manikin model with the capability of evaluating Ergonomics and Human Factors at all levels of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Virtual Design, Manufacturing & Maintainability

Use of CAD Tools

RAMSIS

JACK

DELMIA HUMAN

Common Features with Computer-Aided Ergonomic Modeling Apps:

Iteration of the Analysis with Different Models

Innovations in Technology

The LeapDimensions 3 by 1 by 0.3 inchesRange 8 cubic feetPrice $70Availability February 2013

Brookstone Virtual Keyboard 

• turns any flat surface into a touchscreen QWERTY keypad.

• 1.5-inch Bluetooth accessory• low-power laser

projector displays the keyboard • internal infrared-filtered camera

sensor monitors the typist's fingers. 

• Virtual Keyboard $100

Ergonomics and Human Factors

New Trends in Sports Product Design

Sugru

a thermoset silicone rubber which is great for forming grips, handles, mounts and seals, and can be shaped by hand with great effect.

The material has three main benefits over other comparable products:

It bonds very well to most materials (including itself)

The material can be finished to a high standard if care is taken

It has good thermal and strength properties

 For ergonomists, sugru has the potential to form a new part of the methods and techniques used to inform design decisions, especially for co-design purposes. Thus, providing it is used appropriately, sugru has the potential to greatly improve the user experience of many products.

Battery Powered ‘Hot Pants’

developed for the British cycling team. Loughborough University, Adidas and Team GB worked on the development of heated trousers…

It’ll slow the decline in muscle temperature between warm-up and the start of an event which, as a result, increased cyclist event performance i.e. sprint power.

Morrant Cricket Pads

Lightweight (1lb 2oz), moulded, and with high density foam, developed by Morrant International that only include two straps on the lower leg.

It frees up the knee joint for running and lunging movements, and reduces the weight of the personal protective equipment being worn/carried by the batsman whilst still offering the same level of protection.

New Ergonomically Engineered Anti-Fatigue Mat

Skywalker HD™

heavy duty rubber anti-fatigue modular matting system

 The unique composition of anti-fatigue matting is an ergonomic pattern and a cushioning underlay which stimulates continuous micro-movements of the feet minimizing blood pooling in the legs.

 The Skywalker HD™ has an ergonomic bubble that stimulates blood flow and prevents fatigue in standing workers.

The mat surface is augmented with a grit pattern for additional anti-slip properties and combined with bevelled safety edges, the Skywalker HD™ also contributes to preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

A 13 mm thick worker platform with an ergonomic bubble pattern for maximum anti-fatigue comfort in dry industrial environments.

Resistant to most industrial oils.The unique design and craftsmanship make the mat easy to handle and easy to install. Heavy duty rubber compound for industrial strength.

Anti-Fatigue

Anti-slip Heavy foot

TrafficInsulation Modular Protection

Thank you!!