Human Factors and Ergonomics - Assignment Example

1) What is Human factors/ergonomics? How may it be of use? (750 words) Human factors or ergonomics is the relationship between people and their jobs. Ergonomics basically studies the best way an individual can do a job by considering the job, surroundings, equipment, and everything that a work comes into contact with. Ergonomics is involved with mechanical engineering, industrial design, psychology, physiology, and other sciences. The goal is to provide an optimal environment for the most productive workers. Human interaction between machinery is only one example of ergonomics. More examples of the human factor/ergonomics will be given below. Ergonomics help workers and jobs succeed. Ergonomics help the worker be more successful and productive. How does this work overall? “The overall goal of ergonomic analysis is to provide information that will facilitate the development of an environment that enhances both human performance and well-being” (Burke, 3). This information can be as simple as the right computer chair or as complex as an airplane cockpit control. When advanced machines came during the Industrial Revolution, the need to place a human factor into the work place became necessary. This is the information that ergonomics provide for employees and companies. Ergonomics is used in almost every business. Safety measures for business are driven by ergonomics. One example is the ergonomics of working position design, use of office equipment (photo-copiers, guillotines, and printers), and even cleaning arrangements for windows, desks and floors (what chemicals are to be used and how are they stored?)” (Maguire, 25) How do cleaning supplies affect workers? If ammonia is stored improperly with bleach a deadly gas could kill the whole office. Thus the job would have killed the worker. No more productive workers, means that the job and worker did not coexist in this instance. Thus ergonomics comes in to make sure that ammonia and bleach are not stored unsafely. Ergonomics can also help workers through research. Psychology and physiology are part of ergonomics. One study on rats showed how stress might affect workers. The study case is: In the rat world, according to a new study, chronic stress rearranges wiring in the brain. One result is poor decision-making, a curse in any species and in any context. Many studies show that humans are more likely to make poor decisions when subjected to unrelieved stress. The rat study helps explain the phenomenon, while reinforcing the case for designing tasks and workplaces ergonomically to control the triggers for stress. (Anderson) These findings could prove that a less stressful work environment can be more productive. If a worker is too stressed than they make poor decisions. This is a given, but until proven most companies will not take the time or expense to reduce the stress. Like materials and stress, prevention of accidents is one of ergonomics strong points. Eye goggles, ear protection, safety stops for machines, and other preventative measures are the result of ergonomics. Prevention can be as small as a hand sanitizer to prevent colds to a complex guard on a moving piece of machinery like a saw or press. Preventing accidents help keep workers productive and happy. Not all accidents can be prevented, but every accident is an opportunity to learn. Major accidents make ergonomists take new approaches to the problem to promote safety. Preparation for accidents is another example of ergonomics. First aid kits can be present to a small scrape or for a CPR mask in case of heart attacks or an individual that stops breathing. Fire escape plans are preparation in the event of a fire. Alarms for fires, tornados, and intruders are preparation. Today many companies have evacuation plans due to terrorist threat as well. All of these plans and safety tools are measures created by ergonomics. Training is another area involving ergonomics. Every job has to have some sort of training. Whether a job flipping burgers at McDonald’s or a doctor performing brain surgery, all jobs have some sort of training. The McDonald job might only entail a current employee explaining the register or grill. This might take a few minutes or hours, but training is necessary. The doctor would have to have years of training, but their training is also necessary. Every job must have the appropriate amount of training (Kearney, 181). The doctor could not perform in the medical field with the training of a McDonald’s employee. The McDonald’s employee would not need all the training of a doctor. Thus it is extremely important to have the information about how much training is needed. Ergonomics help employers decided the right amount of training according to their individual fields. 2) Explain Bergland,s interpretation of figure 7.9 in 50 words. Bergland felt that Vesalius was disrespecting the human body by showing the bones and muscles. He also explains that this artwork is highly debated. I do not feel that was Vesalius’ motive at all. To me it represents a man wanting to learn more about their body. 3) Give an example from current politics where one of Morris maxims applies. (50 words). Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is the perfect example of Morris’ maxims. Although he might not meet all of Morris’ maxims in real-life, the appearance is enough for the Russian people to love Putin. Thus the majority of Russians follow Putin without question. 4) write an abstract for reading 2.14 (Betts). This article is about the benefits within the workplace when using ergonomics. From designing the workplace to psychological affects of trade unions, ergonomics can be used to analyze every job. This article provides specific instances and companies with real life examples. The charts and examples help make the subject clear. 5) in your opinion does Rawling (reading 2.15) demonstrate that ergonomics can be used to prove how value added can be optimized? Give your own reasons. Yes, Rawling demonstrates that ergonomics can be used to prove how value added can be optimized. Business needs, user interface, and economic contributions can be analyzed through ergonomic means to achieve a better productive environment, thus adding to the value by optimization. 6) What is the ergoma approach? Explain one weakness in it . (50 words) The ergoma approach is to match people’s abilities to jobs. An example would be a big brawny man would not make a good office worker due to his size. Instead of refocusing the job for every individual, the person would have to meet the job requirements. References Anderson, Jennifer. “Stress Contributes to Poor Decision Making.” 3 Aug. 2009. ergoweb. 13 Aug. 2009 http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=2366 Burke, Michael J. Applied Ergonomics Handbook. USA: CRC-press, 1992. Kearney, Deborah. Ergonomics Made Easy: A Checklist Approach. New York: Government Institutes, 2008. Maguire, Richard. Safety Cases and Safety Reports: Meaning, Motivation and Management. New York: Ashgate Publishing, 2006. Read More