American University of Beirut
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management
ENMG 698: Occupational Biomechanics
Fall 2015: 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Tues & Thur, Bechtel, 209
Instructor:
Dr. Saif Al-Qaisi
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone Ext.: 3479
Office: Bechtel 533
Office Hours: 9:30 pm - 11:00 pm Tues & Thurs., and/or by appointment
Course Description: Introduces Occupational Biomechanics. Analysis and design of systems considering
human characteristics, capabilities, and limitations. Designing for human performance effectiveness,
productivity, and comfort. Topics include: anthropometry; skeletal system and muscle; mechanical work
capacity; bioinstrumentations; motion and time study; design and evaluation methods; display and control
design; workplace design; tool design; biomechanics of work; manual material handling.
Pre-requisite: None.
Course Objectives:
1. Students will be able to describe the basic concepts of occupational biomechanics and the importance of
considering human capabilities and limits in job design.
2. Students will learn how to design the workspace, tools, and tasks to match the physical and
biomechanical capability of a worker.
3. Students will learn to construct occupational biomechanical models to supplement work and job design.
4. Students will be able to describe human anatomy, strength measurements, anthropometric
measurements.
5. Students will learn to review and critique contemporary research and case studies in Occupational
Biomechanics.
Textbook: Chaffin, D.B., Andersson, G.,B.,J., Martin, B.,J. “Occupational Biomechanis”, 4 th ed. WileyInterscience. NJ, 2006.
Chapters of textbook:
 Chapter 1: Occupational Biomechanics as a Specialty
 Chapter 2: The Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System
 Chapter 3: Anthropometry in Occupational Biomechanics
 Chapter 4: Mechanical Work Capacity Evaluation
 Chapter 5: Bioinstrumentation in Occupational Biomechanics
 Chapter 6: Occupational Biomechanical Models
 Chapter 7: Methods of Classifying and Evaluating Manual Work
 Chapter 8: Manual Material-Handling Limits
 Chapter 9: Guidelines for Work in Sitting Postures
 Chapter 10: Biomechanical Considerations in Machine Control and Workplace Design
 Chapter 11: Hand-Tool Design Guidelines
 Chapter 12: Guidelines for Whole-Body and Segmental Vibration.
 Chapter 13: Worker Selection, Training, and Personal Protective Device Consideration
Final Grade is weighted as follows:
Homework
Research/Case Study Presentation-1
Research/Case Study Presentation-2
Research/Case Study Presentation-3
Participation
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
10%
10%
10%
5%
5%
30%
30%
100%
Presentations
The presentations will be of a research paper (peer-reviewed journal article) or case study concerning the topic
covered in the previous class. The first part of the presentation (15- 20 minutes) will summarize each section of
the study, and the second part (about 10 minutes) will be a discussion/critique of the article that is led by the
presenter with the class.
Participation
Participation grade includes attendance and being involved in the class discussions.
Late/Missed Work Policy
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Assignments may be turned in late with the following
penalties:
Turned in after beginning of class: -10%
Turned in 1 day late: -10%
Turned in 2 or more days late: Assignment not accepted, unless a university-approved excuse is provided.
No make-up exams will be given without a written, valid excuse. You must contact the instructor within 24
hours of an exam and provide a written, valid excuse (defined by the University) to reschedule an exam. Your
exam will be rescheduled ideally within a week, but be aware that make-up exams will be different from the rest
of the class.
Attendance Policy
Attendance in class will enhance your learning experience, therefore everyone is expected to attend all classes
and to come prepared for discussion. If you arrive late, please enter quietly (from the back of the room). During
class, please turn off all cell phones and laptops. As an open learning environment, it is expected that students
will have diverse opinions and comments during discussion. All contributions are valuable and are to be
respected.
Tips for Success: Below are some suggestions of things you can do to increase your success in this course.
- Come to class, every class. If you absolutely must miss class, get notes from another student.
- Read the book chapter(s) before class and take good notes during class. The book complements class
activities and may explain difficult concepts in a different manner. Complete homework sets, and work
on additional problems. This is one of the best ways to prepare for an exam.
- Use office hours to ask questions about homework, concepts, etc.
“Cramming” at the last minute will result in lower learning levels than spreading your study time over
the entire semester.