Introduction to Ergonomics and

Human Factors

Sections:

1. Overview of Ergonomics

2. Human-Machine Systems

3. Topic Areas in Ergonomics

Why Human Factors?

Ergonomics Injuries in the US 1998 OSHA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCvXlZL0r04

Mayo Clinic applying Human Factors principles developed

for Aeronautics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR78dXTYy9c&NR=1

Human Factors

The goal of Human Factors is making the human

interaction with systems one that:

Enhances performance

Increases safety

Increases user satisfaction

Human factors involve the study of factors and

development of tools that facilitate the achievement of

these goals.

Human Factors

Human Factors is the systematic application of

relevant information about human capabilities,

limitations, characteristics, behavior, and motivation

to the design of things and procedures people use

and the environments in which they use them.

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Human Factors

Human Factors also involves the evaluation of the

things we design to ensure that they satisfy their

intended objectives.

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Human Factors

According to Alphonse Chapanis, Human Factors

discovers and applies information about human

behavior, abilities, limitations, and other

characteristics to the design of tools, machines,

systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for

productive, safe, comfortable, and effective human

use.

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Human Factors

Human Factors focuses on human beings and their

interaction with products, equipment, facilities,

procedures, and environments used in work and in

everyday living. The emphasis is on human beings

and how the design of things influence people.

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Human Factors

Human Factors seeks to change the things people

use and the environments in which they use these

things to better match the capabilities, limitations, and

needs of people.

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Most work activities require a combination of

physical and cognitive exertions

From: Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work

by Mikell Groover.

Ergonomics

An applied scientific discipline concerned with

how humans interact with the tools and

equipment they use while performing tasks and

other activities

Derived from the Greek words ergon, meaning

work, and nomos, meaning laws

The word ergonomics was coined by British

scientist K. F. H. Murrell and entered the

English language in 1949

Human Factors

Human factors is synonymous with ergonomics

Ergonomics emphasizes work physiology and

anthropometry

Europe – industrial work systems

Human factors emphasizes experimental

psychology and systems engineering

U.S. – military work systems

Associations

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

https://www.hfes.org

Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors

http://www.ergonomics.org.uk

Objectives in Human Factors /

Ergonomics

Greater ease of interaction between user

and machine

Avoid errors and mistakes

Greater comfort and satisfaction in use of

the equipment

Reduce stress and fatigue

Greater efficiency and productivity

Safer operation

Avoid accidents and injuries

Methods Engineering vs. Ergonomics

Emphasis in Methods

Engineering

Efficiency

Cost reduction

Labor reduction

Workplace layout

Facility layout

Elimination of waste

“One best way”

Emphasis in Ergonomics

and Human Factors

Safety

Comfort

Interaction between human

and equipment

Workplace environment

Fitting the work to the

individual

Reduction of human errors

Accident avoidance

Ergonomics Application Areas

Work system design

Objectives: safety, accident avoidance,

improved functional performance

Also includes environment such as lighting

Product design

Objectives: safety, comfort, user-friendly,

mistake proof, avoidance of liability lawsuits

Ergonomists – What They Do

Research on human capabilities and limitations

Discover the characteristics of human

performance, e.g., how much can an

average worker lift?

Design and engineering applications

Use the research findings to design better

tools and work methods

Fitting the Person to the Job

Considers worker’s physical and mental

aptitudes in employment decisions

For example, using worker size and strength

as criteria for physical work

Common philosophy prior to ergonomics

FPJ is still important

For example, educational requirements for

technical positions

Fitting the Job to the Person

Opposite of FPJ

Philosophy: design the job so that any member

of the work force can perform it

Why the FJP philosophy has evolved:

Changes in worker skill requirements

Demographic changes (e.g. more women in

the workforce)

Social and political changes (e.g., equal

opportunity laws)

Changes: 1930 and 2000

1930 2000

Total U.S. Population 123 million 281 million

Life expectancy 60 years 77 years

Median age 27 years 35 years

Number of people age 65 and over

7 million 35 million

Proportion of women in the labor force

24% 61%

a Source: U.S. Census Bureau

From: Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work

by Mikell Groover.

Human-Machine Interactions

From: Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work

by Mikell Groover.

Human-Machine Systems

Basic model in ergonomics

Defined as a combination of humans and

equipment interacting to achieve some

desired result

Types of human-machine systems:

1. Manual systems

2. Mechanical systems

3. Automated systems

System Components

The human

The equipment

The environment

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

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

Steering wheel, computer keyboard

Environmental Components

Physical environment

Location and surrounding lighting, noise,

temperature, and humidity

Social environment

Co-workers and colleagues at work

Immediate supervisors

Organizational culture

Pace of work

Human-Machine System

From: Human Factors in Engineering and Design

by Sanders and McCormick.

Human-Machine Systems

From: Human Factors in Engineering and Design

by Sanders and McCormick.

Topic Areas in Ergonomics

Physical ergonomics

Cognitive ergonomics

The physical work environment

Occupational safety and health

Physical Ergonomics

How the human body functions during physical

exertion

Physiology – vital processes carried out by

living organisms and how their constituent

tissues and cells function

How physical dimensions of the body affect

capabilities of worker

Anthropometry – physical dimensions of the

human body

Cognitive Ergonomics

Concerned with the capabilities of the human

brain and sensory system while performing

information processing activities

Human cognitive processes include:

Sensing and perception

Use of memory

Response selection and execution

Physical Work Environment

Visual environment

Lighting levels and workplace design

Auditory environment

Intensity and duration of noise

Climate

Air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation

Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational safety – concerned with the

avoidance of industrial accidents

One-time events that cause injury or fatality

Occupational Health – concerned with avoiding

diseases and disorders caused by exposure to

hazardous materials or conditions

Develop after prolonged periods of

exposure

May take years before symptoms reveal the

onset of the malady

Human Factors Scope

From: An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering by

Christopher Wickens, John Lee, Yili Liu, and Sallie Gordon Becker

Human Factors Scope

Human Factors Engineering

Ergonomics

Human Engineering

Engineering Psychology

(Sanders & McCormick, 1993)

Human Factors Scope

Ergonomics focuses on the aspect of human factors

related to physical work, such as lifting, reaching,

stress, and fatigue.

Human Factors Scope

Engineering Psychology vs. Human Factors

Human Factors focuses on system design accounting

for the physical and psychological properties of the

human component.

Engineering Psychology focuses on understanding

the human mind as is relevant to the design of

systems.

Human Factors Scope

Cognitive Engineering focuses on the complex,

cognitive thinking and knowledge-related aspects of

system performance, whether carried out by human

or machine agents, the latter dealing closely with

element of artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the application of scientific

principles, methods, and data drawn from

a variety of disciplines to the

development of engineering systems in

which people play a significant role.

(Kroemer, Kroemer, & Kroemer-Elbert,

2001)

Ergonomics

Among the basic disciplines are psychology,

cognitive science, physiology, biomechanics,

applied physical anthropometry, and industrial

systems engineering.

The engineering systems to be developed

range from the use of a simple tools by a

consumer to a multiperson, sociotechnical

system.

(Kroemer, Kroemer, & Kroemer-Elbert, 2001)

Ergonomics

From: Ergonomics How to design for Ease and Efficiency

by Kroemer, Kroemer, and Kroemer-Elbert.

Human Factors Cycle

From: An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering by

Christopher Wickens, John Lee, Yili Liu, and Sallie Gordon Becker

Human Factors Cycle - Analysis

We need information regarding:

Physical body: size, shape, and strength.

Mind: information processing characteristics and

limitations.

Physical and/or information systems.

Analysis tools:

Task analysis.

Statistical analysis.

Incident/accident analysis.

Human Factors Cycle - Design

Equipment design changes the nature of the

physical equipment with which humans work.

Task design focuses on changing what

operators do. This may involve assigning part

or all tasks to other workers or to automated

components.

Environmental design implements changes in

the physical environmental conditions, such

as lighting, temperature, or noise.

Human Factors Cycle - Design

Selection recognizes that systems

performance can be optimized by selecting

operators who posses the best profile of

characteristics for the job.

Training focuses on better preparing the

worker for the conditions that he or she will

encounter in the job environment by teaching

and practicing the necessary physical or

mental skills.

Human Factors

Human Factors Basics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VIYlxTowq8

Human Factors Spectacles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaSm5JlU9cU

Final Note on Human Factors:

UC Human Factors VPP Lab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIoToBCSOfM

References

Freivalds, A. and Niebel, B. (2009) Niebel’s Methods, Standards,

and Work Design. Twelfth Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher

Education.

Groover, M. (2007) Work Systems and the Methods,

Measurement, and Management of Work. Pearson Prentice

Hall.

Kroemer, K., Kroemer, H. and Kroemer-Elbert, K. (2001)

Ergonomics How to design for Ease and Efficiency. Second

Edition. Prentice Hall.

Sanders, M. and McCormick, E. (1993) Human Factors in

Engineering and Design. Seventh Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Wickens, C., Lee, J., Liu, Y. and Gordon Becker S. (2004) An

Introduction to Human Factors Engineering. Second Edition.

Pearson Prentice Hall.

Do you have any questions?