Ergonomics The Study Of Work

"Discusses the strategies to effectively use design in order to enhance human well-being and work efficiency"--

Office ergonomics – whether we realize it or not – directly or indirectly affects every one of us. It is the study of the work we do, the environment we work in, and the tools we use to successfully perform our jobs. Office ergonomics helps us be comfortable and safe at work, which reduces the risk of injury, lowers stress, increases personal engagement, and raises overall work performance. This book embraces and addresses the new reality of the traditional ‘office’ work, which is ever changing and evolving, and offers tactical recommendations on how to make non-traditional office settings more comfortable. This book suggests how to Set up the office, wherever that may be – at a company site, at home, at a corner café, on a commuter train Interact with colleagues Organize and pace work Select and arrange equipment and furniture Maintain the physical climate – lighting, sound, heating and cooling The book is a practical one, based on sound theory and solid research. Written for non-engineers as well as those in the industry, it has a conversational tone, reflects true-life situations that office workers face, and is adaptable to multiple office settings. While budding ergonomists will find it educational, office managers and designers will benefit from it as well. You will find ten fast-paced chapters, augmented with brief case studies and illustrations, and capped off with a series of practical design recommendations. Three appendices delve into ergonomic topics with more thorough details. This book suggests how best to achieve a harmonious work scenario by optimizing the ‘fit’ between the person and his or her environment. This, in a nutshell, is what ergonomics is all about: working with ease and efficiency.

The interaction between the user & the product is one of the primary concerns of the product design process. While there are many different methods of ergonomic research & theory used to develop products that solve common workplace problems, this reference helps to clarify some of the concepts & methodologies that Allsteel Inc. used in its process. The goal is to provide a better understanding of how the science of Ergonomics is used to make products that help employees work more comfortably, efficiently, & effectively. Contents: Product Design Ergonomics 101; Anthropometric Measurements; Common Workplace Postures; Common Workplace Motions; Office Furniture Guidelines for Fit & Function; & Universal Design Considerations.

When faced with productivity problems in the workplace, engineers might call for better machines, and management might call for better-trained people, but ergonomists call for a better interface and better interaction between the user and the machine. Introduction to Ergonomics, 2nd Edition, provides a comprehensive introduction to ergonomics as the study of the relationship between people and their working environment. The author presents evidence from field trials, studies and experiments that demonstrate the value of ergonomics in making the workplace safer, more error resistant, and compatible with users' characteristics and psychological and social needs. Evidence for the effectiveness of each topic is incorporated throughout the book as well, which helps practitioners to make the case for company investment in ergonomics. In addition, the author outlines international standards for ergonomics that influence engineering and design and pave the way for a more precise form of practice. Extensively revised and updated, this second edition explains the main areas of application, the science that underpins these applications, and demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of implementing the applications in a wide variety of work settings.

Production ergonomics – the science and practice of designing industrial workplaces to optimize human well-being and system performance – is a complex challenge for a designer. Humans are a valuable and flexible resource in any system of creation, and as long as they stay healthy, alert and motivated, they perform well and also become more competent over time, which increases their value as a resource. However, if a system designer is not mindful or aware of the many threats to health and system performance that may emerge, the end result may include inefficiency, productivity losses, low working morale, injuries and sick-leave. To help budding system designers and production engineers tackle these design challenges holistically, this book offers a multi-faceted orientation in the prerequisites for healthy and effective human work. We will cover physical, cognitive and organizational aspects of ergonomics, and provide both the individual human perspective and that of groups and populations, ending up with a look at global challenges that require workplaces to become more socially and economically sustainable. This book is written to give you a warm welcome to the subject, and to provide a solid foundation for improving industrial workplaces to attract and retain healthy and productive staff in the long run.