Ergonomics and Human Factors
Part V
Chapters:
22. Introduction to Ergonomics and Human
Factors
23. Physical Ergonomics: Work Physiology and
Anthropometry
24. Cognitive Ergonomics: The Human
Sensory System and Information
Processing
25. The Physical Work Environment
26. Occupational Safety and Health
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Introduction to Ergonomics
and Human Factors
Chapter 22
Sections:
1. Overview of Ergonomics
2. Human-Machine Systems
3. Topic Areas in Ergonomics
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Physical and Cognitive Demands
Most work activities require a combination of
physical and cognitive exertions
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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 joined by British
scientist K. F. H. Murrell and entered the
English language in 1949
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
History of ergonomics (1)
 Back to 1945 (Taylorizm)
 Scientific management movement
 Planning, motion, time, work efficiency
 Pioneer researcher is Frank and Lillian Gilbreth
 In 1900, fitting the man to the job (FMJ),
selecting of workers for a given job.
 Choose from the pool of job applicants
suitable for the required positions
 In 1920, human relations research in Western
Electric Company in Chicago
 Growth in mechanization and machining
between 1900-1945
 Car industry, machine tools, assembly lines
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
History of ergonomics (2)
 Ergonomics is recognized in Europe and
human factors in US after World War II.
 Grow in aircraft, artillery, tanks, radar, sonar.
 Problems due to equipments (loss of life)
 Human-Factor Society established in 1957 in
US
 In UK, KFH Murrell contributed to ergonomics
in 1949.
 In 1950, British Researchers adopted
Ergonomics Society
 Due to space and computer industry, NASA
studied on human factors
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
History of ergonomics (3)
 Since 1979, the following human-related
disasters increase public awareness about
importance of ergonomics and human factors
 Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident
(Pennsylvania, 1979)
 Bhopal pesticide plant, Union Carbide
Company (India, 1984)
 Challenger space shuttle (Florida, 1986)
 Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion (Kiev,
1986)
 Exxon Valdez oil spill (Alaska, 1989)
 Colombia space shuttle (Texas, 2003)
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Objectives in Ergonomics
 Main objective is to improve performance of
systems consisting of people & equipment
 Human-machine systems (aircraft, cars,
chairs, computers, hand & sports tools
 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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Ergonomics Application Areas
 Work system design
 Objectives: safety, accident avoidance,
improved functional performance
 Also includes environment such as lighting
& noise levels
 Product design
 Objectives: safety, comfort, user-friendly,
mistake proof, avoidance of liability lawsuits
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Fitting the Person to the Job (FPJ)
 Considers worker’s physical and mental
aptitudes in employment decisions
 For example, using worker size and strength
as criteria for physical work
 Psychometric tests are done (intelligence,
personality)
 Common philosophy prior to ergonomics
 FPJ is still important
 For example, educational requirements for
technical positions (doctor, dentist, lawyer)
 Firefighters need to physical endurance
 Military pilot must meet height requirement
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Fitting the Job to the Person (FJP)
 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)
 In 1900s, skill requirements for jobs were lower
than today, applicants were low skilled
 Today, skill requirements are much higher
 Company select from applicant pool, train them
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Changes: 1930 and 2000
Total U.S. Population
Life expectancy
Median age
Number of people age 65 and
over
Proportion of women in the
labor force
a
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
1930
2000
123 million
60 years
281 million
77 years
27 years
7 million
35 years
35 million
24%
61%
-increasing number of working women
-women hired for assembly lines workers and machine operators
-equal opportunity legislation to prevent discrimination on race, gender and age
-hiring of handicapped was encouraged
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
a. Farmer using pitchfork lo load hay
2. Mechanical systems
a. Farmer driving tractor to harvest a crop
3. Automated systems
a. Mechanic use CNC lathe to make part
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Human-Machine Interactions
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
System Components
 The human
 The equipment
 The environment
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Human Components
 Human senses - to sense the operation
 Vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
 Sensing machine running too hot
 Human brain - for information processing
 Thinking, planning, calculating, making
decisions, solving problems
 Human effectors - to take action
 Fingers, hands, feet, and voice
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Machine Components
Examples
 A worker using a shovel to dig a hole in ground
 A person driving a car
 A student writing a term paper on a PC
There are three principle components of the
machine
 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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Topic Areas in Ergonomics




Physical ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics
The physical work environment
Occupational safety and health
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Physical Work Environment
 Visual environment
 Lighting levels and workplace design
 Auditory environment
 Intensity (loudness) and duration of noise
 Climate
 Air temperature, humidity, air movement,
and radiation
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Occupational Safety and Health
Each year in the USA 5000 people are lost
 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
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.
Occupational Safety and Health
What are the numbers related with occupational
accidents in Turkey?
Give an example for an occupation that causes the
common illnesses for a long period of time.





Ergonomy in football?
Ergonomics cockpit?
Ergonomic shovel?
Ergonomic earplug?
Ergonomy in office?
Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work
by Mikell P. Groover, ISBN 0-13-140650-7.
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.