Ergonomics in the Health Aspects of Working Environment - Research Paper Example

Interest and academic exploration paper and presentation The interest areas that have attracted my attention, captivated or aroused my curiosity hasbeen the aspect of ergonomics in the health and safety aspects of working environment, since it deals directly with the correct physical and mental buildup during work performance. In other words, ergonomics could be seen as a “science of designing products that work in accordance with the way humans think, see, and behave. Products that are compatible with people will dramatically reduce human error, fatigue, discomfort, and stress, and have a profound positive impact on overall end-user performance.” (Economic Definitions). Since the main aims and objectives of health and safety in work environment is how to increase efficiencies and reduce negative aspects of the work site, this has gained great importance in recent years. The aspect of ergonomics has been a very absorbing and interesting element to my mind, since we all wish to increase our efficiencies and render more output to the organizations we serve. If there is a science that could correctly pinpoint the many deficient areas in our work approach, like approach to work, lighting, seating arrangement, posture, areas of negative mental focus and concentration due to physical factors, these could be remedied and our work output could be greatly increased. The idea of science of ergonomic training and development needs, especially in today’s globalized business environment has been with me for quite some time, since my early thirties. Although my senior managers were quite familiar with the ergonomic impact of efficiency and output, due to time constraints, they could not fully enforce a system of ergonomic valuation in the enterprise, although the workforce were well trained and made competent to understand the importance of ergonomics to reduce work fatigue, stress and make working a more pleasant and pleasurable exercise. “Incidents and accidents in a wide range of industries around the world have shown that organisations are poor at learning from their own experience and from the experiences of others.” (Creating a learning Organisation). Although the use of ergonomics does not guarantee that accidents and tragedies in the work place will not occur, it is indeed making constructive and positive efforts to ensure the lowest incidence of accidents on a long term basis through specialized training and Webinar methods. The science of ergonomics has come a long way over its sixty year lifetime in corporate environment and has played a pivotal role in making work zones more safer and healthier for the members of the workforce, especially for those dealing with dangerous or risky artifacts. Thus, in other words, the paramount objective of HFE is to understand interaction between people and everything that surrounds you.” (Salvendy 5). 1d, Provide a brief description about why you decided on exploring this interest area. I have decided to explore this interest area because I feel I should do something to reduce the tally of accidents in the work place and also ameliorate the working environment, specially in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), who, because of certain innate conditions are prone to higher incidence of work related accidents, disasters and loss of lives and limbs which, if properly planned, could have been avoided in the first place. Besides, working in a global environment carries its own share of risks and challenges in terms of output demands, meeting production and marketing targets and ensuring other major accountability in the work areas. Ergonomics comes under the Industrial Engineering branch of work world or possible career choice options. It also concerns itself “with the quantitative modeling and analysis of a broad array of systems-level decision problems concerned with economic efficiency, productivity and quality.” (Industrial Engineering & Operations Research). Through reading a lot of printed materials on this interesting subject, it invoked a deeper understanding and insight for me. Besides, with the aspects of globalization and international transition into a world economy, with its threats, challenges and benefits do also change the framework of ergonomics also. Perhaps in later years, this science would have to make forays into wider areas of scientific research and development, including greater analysis of human conduct and psyche at work, response to critical and demanding situations and how even sitting postures and visual acuity could aid in greater productivity and reduce stress and fatigue at the work place. While productivity and a more robust bottom line are indeed necessary in business, it is equally necessary that the right physical and mental techniques and methods are used to achieve these ends. They also need to be consistent and sustaining, not only from the organizational point of view but also in terms of the workforce who make these happen, year after year. This also helps to be more wide ranging and “and to obtain the broader skills, background and knowledge necessary to be an effective professional in a rapidly-changing global economy.” (Industrial Engineering & Operations Research). Ergonomics is helpful to make comfortable conditions in the place of work. An interview with Dennis Duncan is helpful to understand that he works as a regional safety manager and also he is my superior officer in my organization. As a professional in a business organization, Mr. Dennis Duncan knows more about the concept of ergonomics. He is the regional safety manager of our institution and he has rich experience regarding the science of ergonomics. As a professional in engineering psychology information, understanding the implementation of ergonomics in work field is very important. Important questions of the interview are the following; 1) What is the significance of an engineering psychologist to make a user friendly atmosphere in a work place? 2) To which extent is ergonomics helpful to provide safety of workers? Interview with Dennis Duncan contributed wide interest in me about the significance of the subject ‘ergonomics’. Various fields use the possibilities of ergonomics that helps to solve many problems. Ergonomics is concerned with the workplace and it has do mainly with the safety of human resources. It can facilitate decrease in expenses by improving protection. This reduces the financial expenses paid out for employee’s compensation. More than five million workers are facing injuries per year in the world. By the proper application of ergonomics, workplaces can be planned so that industry could save huge amount of money in terms of workers’ compensation. After the interview I decided to collect further information from an academic counselor because of the interest provided by Duncan. More information got me concerned with the relation between the application of ergonomics and safety of a production unit. His explanations were valuable sources that provided considerable knowledge towards this subject. Ergonomics can help us to produce standardized products which do not create health troubles. His advice shows me the way to select particular courses for the further study of ergonomics. I need additional information from an academic counselor about ergonomics regarding the following: Do organizational barriers affect the implementation of ergonomics in work field? The role of ergonomics principles in engineering psychology and the practical issuers related with the implementation of ergonomics. The relation between human resource and ergonomics is also an essential topic. Finally it needs information about the performance of ergonomics in large scale industries. Various universities such as University of Houston, North Carolina State University, University of Michigan and Cornell University offer Doctor Philosophy and master degree in ergonomics. This includes Ergonomics, occupational safety and human recourse. Cornell University conducts Bachelor program in Human factors and Ergonomics (Jose). Bachelor program includes project works and academic research about ergonomics in work fields. Information from the academic counselor provides scientific and rational data about the concept of ergonomics in work fields. Academic counselor described that productivity and a more robust bottom line is indeed necessary in business, it is equally necessary that the right physical and mental techniques and methods are used to achieve desired outcomes in work fields. The changing face of ergonomics in the era of globalization and its barriers in practical level are also discussed. Knowledge about the process of effective merging of human resource and ergonomics is highly informative. Conclusion: The paper is related to the healthcare and safety profession and the interest areas that have involved my attention, enthralled or aroused my curiosity has been the aspect of ergonomics in the health and safety aspects of working environment, since it deals directly with the correct physical and mental buildup during work performance. Business professionals have often mentioned the fact that the concept of ergonomic training and development needs is essential for business world especially in today’s globalized business environment. The science of ergonomics constitutes the designing of products that helps to reduce human error, hesitation, physical and mental stress, and promote positive impact on work performance. As per the instruction I have conducted an interview with Mr. Dennis Duncan, My regional manager for getting further information about the role of ergonomics in current business atmosphere. The interview with Dennis Duncan contributes deep knowledge about the concept of ergonomics in work fields. He underlines how the principles of ergonomics reduce the expenditure of safety measures. It was also helpful to understand the relevance of ergonomics in the areas of employee’s work safety and compensation. Profiles about business institutions that have successfully executed ergonomics promote enough knowledge. My proposed study is based on the relevance of ergonomics in the field of engineering psychology. To conduct an academic research in this area is my intention. Three or four year university course is relevant in higher education. 5b what did you learn in the process of this assignment: Through the process of this assignment I could understand more about the concept of ergonomics and its significance in current business scenario. I have learned further information about the implementation of ergonomics in work field through reading various materials, academic papers and online articles. As a result of relating with work area I have learned that ergonomics comes under the area of Industrial Engineering and it constitutes economic efficiency, productivity and quality. 5c What are you next steps: As per the instructions of my teacher I can understand the significance of further research in the area of ergonomics. The very next step is to conduct a research about a particular business atmosphere that has implemented the principles of ergonomics. Some case studies and meetings with subject experts are also useful for further studies. The service of an academic counselor is an important step in my research and it helps to get innovative ideas and practical problems of this issue. 5d What questions are you left with: Analyzing the topic of ergonomics I could understand a variety of information about the science of ergonomics and its relevance in business work field. But still I have some questions in my mind about the practical problems of the issue; Does Ergonomics have scientific or rational justifications? What are the practical problems or barriers of the implementation of ergonomics in work fields? Do the principles of ergonomics enhance the performance of complex business organizations? Does ergonomics require further researches and academic studies? Work Cited Creating a learning Organisation. Institute of Economic & Human Factors: Annual Conference 2010. 2010. Web. 11 May. 2010. . Economic Definitions. Safe Computing Tips.com. 2009. Web. 11 May. 2010. . Industrial Engineering & Operations Research. UC Regents. 2001. Web. 11 May. 2010. . Jose, Roby. Ergonomics Academic Programs in USA. Study Discussions. 2009. Web. 11 May. 2010. . Salvendy. Gavriel. Human Factors and Ergonomics. Amzon.com. Print. Read More