Your Guide To Developing An Ergonomics Process

Reinforce new knowledge about the ergonomics process -- dedicated to reducing workplace injuries and illnesses related to cumulative trauma disorders and poor ergonomics. While seven copies of this Team Workbook are included with Your Guide to Developing an Ergonomics Process, additional copies are available to help instruct larger groups, or replenish supplies for future sessions. Full participation is a must to implement an ergonomics process, creating a safer workplace -- and conforming with federal and state OSHA requirements.

This workbook is designed to be used as part of the Developing an Ergonomics Process system. It can be used as a tool, helping the reader to implement strategies effectively, as the process of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses is outlined and effected.

The occurrence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) and Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) is increasing at an alarming rate, dramatically affecting today's workforce. The symptoms of these disorders develop slowly over time. Workers often ignore the discomfort, hoping it will resolve itself. Eventually, productivity decreases due to pain and loss of function, and a previously productive worker suddenly finds that he or she cannot work as a result of the disability. Although this condition is discouraging, it is also preventable. Ergonomics - matching the work environment to the worker's abilities and limitations - offers a promising method to control, manage, and reduce the risk of CTDs and RMIs in the workplace. Your Guide to Developing an Ergonomics Process will assist in the process of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses related to cumulative trauma disorders and poor ergonomics. This valuable guide presents all aspects of a comprehensive ergonomics process, and outlines federal and state OSHA requirements. The program detailed in the text enables full participation at all levels of the organization - regardless of your experience in ergonomics.

Ergonomics touches every man, woman and child each day of their lives whether they recognise it or not. Ergonomics (or lack of it) plays a more significant role in the lives of about two-thirds of the world s population over 10 years of age who work for one-third of their lives to make a living. There are 120 million occupational accidents and injuries and 200,000 fatalities each year according to WHO 95. Occupational accidents, injuries and fatalities are undesired events. The occupational activities are planned and designed, and executed with a purpose under supervision but accidents are not. Hence it stands to reason that better planning, design and execution will help to reduce these undesirable outcomes. One must also recognise that under global scheme of biological evolution, the human beings were not designed to endure a life long exposure to artificial activities repetitively. Thus occupational health problems are inevitable if we do not return to nature for our sustenance. As a society, we have chosen to live and work as we do. In fact, there is a far rapid evolution (mutation and speciation) of occupations than of any biological organism. This places us in a situation where better planning, design and execution of our occupational activities have become absolute necessity. However, since ergonomics is a modifier and not a causal factor, its significance does not become immediately apparent to us. Perhaps it is for this reason that even in developed world occupational health services are available to between 20% to 50% of the work force and less than 10% of the workforce in the developing countries. Occupational health services are remedial approaches. The rational wisdom of the human race should strive to get proactive control of undesirable outcomes through ergonomics. Unfortunately, it is sadly lacking even today. On an optimistic note one can observe that its presence and application is slowly increasing.

Packed with illustrations and practical examples, Guide to Methodology in Ergonomics: Designing for Human Use, Second Edition provides a concise introduction to ergonomics methods in a straightforward manner that helps you conduct an ergonomics analysis of a product in development. It details the execution of 12 ergonomics methods that can be applied to the design of any type of product or interface. The authors stress the role of ergonomics in reducing device interaction time and user error while improving user satisfaction and device usability. See What’s in the New Edition: Four case studies Addition of another co-author Examples that reflect current technology Information on Critical Path Analysis (CPA) The authors highlight where ergonomics methods fit in the design process and how to select a method appropriate for your purpose. They describe each method, supplying an overview, instructions on how to carry out an analysis, a mini bibliography, pros and cons, one or more examples, and a flow chart. They then rate each method for reliability/validity, resources, usability, and efficacy. The book then examines data from studies on training, reliability, and validity, and presents an equation that enables you to calculate approximately the financial benefits of using each method. Based on research and expertise, the book gives you the freedom to be adventurous when choosing methods and the foundation to choose the method that fits the task at hand. Written by experts, it also helps you hone your skills and put the craft of ergonomics into practice.

Packed with illustrations and practical examples, Guide to Methodology in Ergonomics: Designing for Human Use, Second Edition provides a concise introduction to ergonomics methods in a straightforward manner that helps you conduct an ergonomics analysis of a product in development. It details the execution of 12 ergonomics methods that can be applied to the design of any type of product or interface. The authors stress the role of ergonomics in reducing device interaction time and user error while improving user satisfaction and device usability. See What s in the New Edition: Four case studies Addition of another co-author Examples that reflect current technology Information on Critical Path Analysis (CPA) The authors highlight where ergonomics methods fit in the design process and how to select a method appropriate for your purpose. They describe each method, supplying an overview, instructions on how to carry out an analysis, a mini bibliography, pros and cons, one or more examples, and a flow chart. They then rate each method for reliability/validity, resources, usability, and efficacy. The book then examines data from studies on training, reliability, and validity, and presents an equation that enables you to calculate approximately the financial benefits of using each method. Based on research and expertise, the book gives you the freedom to be adventurous when choosing methods and the foundation to choose the method that fits the task at hand. Written by experts, it also helps you hone your skills and put the craft of ergonomics into practice."

This exceptional guidebook provides the strategies necessary to curtail ergonomic losses and costs associated with spiraling worker's compensation premiums and medical expenses, of major concern in all businesses. Ergonomic Process Management is meant to be an application and implementation "operator's manual". This one-of-a-kind resource provides professionals and students with step-by-step guidance on the management and behavior modification principles necessary to successfully implement ergonomic science and technology into the real world occupational environment.