ERGONOMICS CHAPTER

A productive work environment is a safe work environment. Regardless of the type or

size of a business, procedures for safety protect the staff, equipment, and business property. By

avoiding damage to equipment as well as minimizing injuries, there will be more profit and

fewer expenses for the business. Ergonomics is one of the most-common workplace safety

concerns because the non-ergonomic environment may cause various health issues. Carpal tunnel

syndrome, sore back, tendonitis, and chronic cold and flu (due to lowered immunity) may come

as a result of inadequate or non-existent workplace ergonomic processes.

Ergonomics (or ‘human factors’ as it is referred to in North America) is a branch of

science that aims to learn about human abilities and limitations, and then apply this learning to

improve people’s interaction with products, systems and environments. Ergonomics aims to

improve workspaces and environments to minimize risk of injury or harm. As technologies

change, so too does the need to ensure that the tools we access for work, rest and play are

designed for our body’s requirements.

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

The word ergonomics — “the science of work” — derived from the Greek ergon (work)

and nomos (laws), is a discipline that studies the interactions between human activity and the

components of this activity (tasks, tools, methods, work environment, etc.) to develop systems

that allow people to work in conditions of optimal efficiency, safety and comfort. The terms

ergonomics and human factors are often used interchangeably or as a unit (e.g., human factors /

ergonomics – HFE or EHF) a practice that is adopted by the IEA. Ergonomics can roughly be

defined as the study of people in their working environment. More specifically, an ergonomist

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(pronounced like economist) designs or modifies the work to fit the worker, not the other way

around. The goal is to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury due to work. In other words, the

employee is our first priority in analyzing a workstation.

In 1993, McCormick and Sanders explained ergonomics as the application of information

about human abilities, limitations, and behavior toward creating jobs, tasks, tools, and machines

that facilitate a comfortable, effective, safe, and productive work environment. In other words,

ergonomics is the relationship between the job or task and the worker. It includes studying

aspects of the workplace, such as work environment, physical environment, psychosocial

environment, and technology. The definition of ergonomics (or human factors) adopted by the

International Ergonomics Association in 2000 is the scientific discipline concerned with the

understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession

that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-

being and overall system performance. By extension, ergonomics also designates the qualitative

state that results from all the characteristics of optimized system(s).

According to the Medical Definition, ergonomics is an applied science concerned with

designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently

and safely. This is also called human engineering or human factors engineering. Also defined as

the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs, ergonomics aims to increase efficiency and

productivity and reduce discomfort. Think about the angle of your computer monitor, or the

height of your desk. Think about whether your eyes are strained by the end of the day or if your

wrists hurt from typing. A sound understanding of ergonomics can prevent most workplace

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injuries by adjusting tools to the user, putting an emphasis on proper posture to reduce the impact

of repetitive movements.

The use of computers and rapidly changing technology in the modern workplace has

greatly increased the need for ergonomics. Desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and lighting all

need to be assessed when creating a workspace, whether it is at the office or at home.

Ergonomics also takes into account the need for movement throughout the day. Office furniture

has traditionally encouraged stiff, fixed postures and little movement. However, a balance

between sitting and standing, which can be aided with a height-adjustable desk, is a proven way

to combat the effects of sedentary workplace behavior.

Ergonomics is the study of people at work that aims to reduce the physical stress and

resulting injuries associated with working, such as overuse injuries, poor posture and more

serious musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics aims to reduce such injuries by designing work

spaces, tools, tasks and equipment that help maintain the physical health of workers. Ergonomics

aims to create safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and

limitations into the design of a workspace, including the individual’s body size, strength, skill,

speed, sensory abilities (vision, hearing), and even attitudes. By its very nature, ergonomics

draws on the resources of numerous disciplines relating to humans:

How does Ergonomics work?

Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science which celebrated its 50th anniversary in

1999, but relies on research carried out in many other older, established scientific areas, such as

engineering, physiology, psychology, medicine, sociology and anthropology, economics,

Biomechanics, Mechanical engineering, Industrial engineering, Industrial design, Information

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design, Kinesiology. To achieve best practice design, Ergonomists use the data and techniques of

these specific disciplines:

 Anthropometry: body sizes, shapes; populations and variations

 Biomechanics: muscles, levers, forces, strength

 Environmental physics: noise, light, heat, cold, radiation, vibration body systems:

hearing, vision, sensations

 Applied psychology: skill, learning, errors, differences

 Social psychology: groups, communication, learning, behaviours.

Who is responsible for Ergonomics?

Employers need to do everything to set the right working conditions for their staff and to ensure

their safety. The work environment should pose no serious harm to their safety, health, and

welfare. To implement a workplace ergonomics process, employers must:

1. Create and maintain a safe workplace. The objectives and goals of the organization’s

ergonomic process must be clearly stated, and management must assign responsibilities

to staff members.

2. When conducting an ergonomic risk assessment and developing processes, the staff’s

input must be taken into consideration.

3. Train the staff, so they understand the importance of applied ergonomics processes at

work and are aware of the benefits.

4. Appoint a competent staff member as the organization’s Safety Officer or Representative

to conduct periodic checklist evaluations of the applied ergonomic process for its

continuous improvement and long-term success.

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 5. Encourage staff members to report early symptoms of MSD to reduce, control, and

eliminate these health problems.

Ergonomics Principles for better work performance

"Ergo eyes" is a phrase that refers to viewing the world through the lens of basic

ergonomic concepts. You'll never want to go back once you've learned and internalized these

ergonomic principles. Imagine being able to stroll through a plant floor and immediately

identifying risk factors that contribute to soft tissue injuries and disorders. Seeing the world

through ergo eyes is like seeing possible accidents that could jeopardize your great safety record,

allowing you to implement proactive workplace design adjustments to avoid them. Here are eight

basic ergonomic principles to assist you in identifying ergonomic risk factors and maintaining

your excellent safety record:

1. Maintain Neutral posture: Neutral postures are those in which the body is balanced and

aligned while sitting or standing, putting the least amount of stress on the body and

maintaining joints aligned. Neutral postures reduce stress on muscles, tendons, nerves,

and bones while allowing for the most control and force production. An "awkward

posture" is the total opposite of a neutral posture. Awkward postures progress away from

neutral and toward the range of motion's extremes. This increases the strain on the

worker's musculoskeletal system, increases the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders

(MSDs), and should be avoided. Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are injuries and

disorders that affect the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system (i.e.,

muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.).

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2. Work in the power or comfort zone: This principle is related to that of keeping a

neutral posture, but it is worth elaborating on. Close to the torso, between mid-thigh and

mid-chest height, is the power zone for lifting. The arms and back can raise the most

weight with the least amount of effort in this zone. This is also known as the "comfort

zone" or "hand shake zone." The idea is that if you can "shake hands with your work,"

you'll be able to avoid reaching too far and maintain a neutral posture. Working from the

power / comfort / handshake zone ensures optimum heights and reaches, reducing MSD

risk factors and allowing for more efficient and pain-free work. Now when you notice

workers who are working with extended reaches and at improper heights, you’ll know

they are outside their comfort zone and risk factors are present.

3. Allow for movement and stretching: The human body's mobility system is known as

the musculoskeletal system, and it is meant to move. Working in a static position for

lengthy periods of time will exhaust your body. This is referred to as static load.

For example:

a. Raising your hands over your head for the next 30 minutes,

b. Remaining standing in the same position for the next 8 hours and

c. Writing with a pencil for 60 minutes straight.

You will encounter static load if you do these three things. The initial few seconds or

minutes won’t look too unpleasant, but holding these seemingly stress-free poses for an

extended period of time will produce weariness and discomfort. So, once you've

completed these chores, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

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 You will stretch.

Your shoulders and back will be stretched. You'll stretch your legs and possibly perform

squats. Your fingers and wrist will be stretched. Stretching helps you feel better by

reducing fatigue, improving muscular balance and posture, and increasing muscle

coordination. Everyone is an athlete at some point in their lives, so you should warm up

to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury. Warm-up stretches are a terrific

method to get your body ready for work. Taking occasional stretch breaks throughout the

workday might also help to get your blood flowing and recover your energy.

4. Reduce excessive force: One of the key ergonomic risk factors is excessive force. Many

jobs necessitate heavy force loads on the human body. Muscle effort rises in response to

high force demands, resulting in tiredness and an increased risk of MSD. There are a

variety of factors that influence force, but the goal is to identify when a job or task

necessitates excessive force and then discover strategies to lessen it. Excessive force

needs are eliminated, which reduces worker tiredness and the danger of MSD

development in the vast majority of workers.

5. Reduce excessive motion: Another important ergonomic risk factor is repetitive motion.

Many work activities and cycles are monotonous, and they are usually governed by

hourly or daily production targets and work processes. When excessive task repetition is

paired with other risk variables such as high force and/or uncomfortable postures, MSD

can develop. If the cycle time is fewer than 30 seconds, the work is deemed highly

repetitive. If at all possible, excessive or needless motions should be avoided. In instances

where this isn't possible, it's critical to avoid using too much force and adopting

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 uncomfortable postures. Job enlargement, job rotation, and counteractive stretch breaks

are some more control measures to consider.

6. Minimize contact stress: Contact stress occurs when hard or sharp objects/surfaces

come into constant contact with sensitive bodily tissue, such as the soft tissue of the

fingers, palms, thighs, and feet, according to OSHA. This contact exerts localized

pressure on a tiny area of the body, impairing blood flow, neuron function, and tendons

and muscle action. Wrists resting on the sharp edge of a desk or workstation while

conducting chores, forcing tool handles into the palms, especially when they can't be put

down, tasks requiring hand hammering, and sitting without enough space for the knees

are all examples of contact stress.

7. Reduce excessive vibration: Multiple studies have demonstrated that exposure to

vibration on a regular and frequent basis can have long-term health impacts, which are

most likely to occur when contact with a vibrating instrument or work process is a regular

and important element of a person's profession. Hand-arm vibration can result in a variety

of symptoms known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), as well as particular

disorders such Raynaud's syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis. In the

fingers, vibration syndrome causes negative circulatory and neurological repercussions.

Numbness, discomfort, and blanching are some of the indications and symptoms (turning

pale and ashen).

8. Provide adequate lighting: Poor lighting is a typical workplace issue that can influence

a worker's comfort and productivity. Work is difficult whether there is too much or too

little light — imagine attempting to perform your job without sight! Workplaces with

poor lighting and glare can cause eye fatigue and headaches, and poorly lit workplaces

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 put workers at risk for a variety of injuries. Providing adjustable task lighting to

employees is a common solution to lighting issues. Take precautions to reduce screen

glare at your computer workspace, and avoid placing the monitor in front of a window or

a bright background.

PREVENTION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN THE WORKPLACE

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments

and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors

at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy

loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively.

Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury. Work-related

MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics - fitting a job to a person - helps lessen muscle fatigue,

increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

The ultimate goal of practicing good ergonomics in the workplace is to reduce the risk of

musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). To reduce the risk of MSDs, practicing good ergonomics in

the workplace is advised. The following 7 simple tips can be used to minimize MSDs in the

organization:

Practice Good Posture

Good posture is about more than finding a comfortable position to work in, or what “feels right.”

Especially when you consider that some positions, while comfortable for the worker, may not be

ergonomically correct. To complicate matters further, some shifting and movement in position

throughout the day can even be useful for some workers with and without disabilities

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Change it up

Repeating the same movement continuously through the day can cause strains. If it is possible to

alternate tasks, it is advisable to do so. If job rotation or alternating tasks throughout the shift is

unrealistic, be sure to incorporate several rest breaks. Stretch during breaks, or do simple

exercises to keep your muscles and tendons from becoming tense or strained.

Lift with your knees

Be sure that if your job involves lifting, that you are trained in manual material handling, and

that you practice proper lifting techniques. Never lift with the muscles in your back. Lift with

your knees.

Get a Good Chair

If you sit at desk all or most of the day, you need an ergonomic chair that has various settings for

a variety of seated postures. The best chairs have adjustable height, arm rest, lumbar support, and

seat pan depth settings. If your feet don’t reach the floor, a foot rest should be used in

conjunction with the chair, and remember: it doesn’t matter how well the chair is adjusted if you

do not sit in it properly! Standard chairs — even the best ones — may not work for workers with

certain disabilities, so be sure to make accommodations for workers who require them.

Make your computer work for you

Your computer station needs to work for you. Your keyboard and mouse should be at the same

level, with the weight of your arms supported by the armrests of the chair. The keyboard and

mouse should also be positioned so that your wrists remain straight. If you need to look at

documents as you type, ensure that you have a document holder. All other required tools, such as

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staplers, pens or pencils, and your phone, should be within reach. If you use the phone

frequently, opt for a headset over cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder.

Look after your eyes

Eye strain is common in workers with and without disabilities who spend a lot of their day

looking at computer monitors. Adjust your monitor so that it is at eye level when sitting straight

in your chair. Ensure that you look at it directly, and that it’s not angled. If you have a window,

place the monitor at a right angle to it to reduce glare. Monitors with poor resolution or a flicker

should be upgraded or replaced.

Chill out

A stressful work environment can cause workers to tense their muscles, and remain in that state

for extended periods of time. Workers who feel pressure to complete tasks may skip breaks or

strain themselves to complete tasks faster at the expense of using proper ergonomic material

handling methods. Be sure that workers are not stressing themselves in this way. Training,

information, and control over the ergonomic set-up of an individual’s workstation goes a long

way in reducing the stress that causes ergonomic injuries.

DIMENSIONS OF ERGONOMICS

For nearly 70 years, ergonomics has been extensively researched. Ergonomics is a

common field of study for biomedical engineers. It is the process of creating products and

workplaces to fit the people who use them. However, it's crucial to remember that ergonomics

isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Ergonomics can be divided into three categories: physical,

cognitive, and organizational. Anyone interested in ergonomics can benefit greatly from gaining

a basic understanding of the many forms of ergonomics.

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Physical Ergonomics

Physical ergonomics are likely the most significant sort of ergonomics, as most

businesses place a premium on physical comfort when accommodating their employees. The

study of physical ergonomics focuses on how people's bodies interact with the instruments they

use every day. Desk seats, keyboards, and other computer equipment are among the tools

mentioned. The main focus is on people's physiological interactions and their activities.

Furthermore, the study of physical ergonomics isn't exclusive to office settings. Biomedical

engineers are also interested in the tools used by workers in physically demanding jobs like

construction and manufacturing. Working posture, body manipulations, carrying heavy weights,

movements (especially repetitive ones), workstation arrangement, work-related musculoskeletal

problems, physical safety protocols, and overall health are all areas where improvements are

sought.

Because this is the ergonomics domain in which most firms are interested, most

individuals place a premium on workplace ergonomics. The science of matching workplace

environments and job demands to the capabilities of the working population is known as

workplace ergonomics. At its most basic level, workplace ergonomics is all about creating a

better working environment. When jobs are created to match people's abilities, better work is

done, and the individual doing the work has a better experience. Ergonomics adds value in a

variety of ways when viewed through this lens. It's excellent for your people and the

organization.

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Cognitive Ergonomics

Cognitive ergonomics deals with the mental (intellectual and psychological) aspects of

the operator-activity relationship. In other words, it is concerned with mental processes such as

perception, reasoning, memory, stimuli, and psycho-motor responses, as they affect interactions

among humans and other elements of a system. The improvements related with cognitive

ergonomics have to do with performance issues, decision-making, management mistakes or

stress. Specifically, Cognitive ergonomics deal with the mind’s ability to process information

and interact with data. Finding ways to help people retain data is among the key areas of study

for engineers in this field. Furthermore, engineers who work in cognitive ergonomics place a

great deal of emphasis on both the design and visibility of safety signs in workplaces. Since both

of these factors tie directly into data retention, signs are closely studied by biomedical engineers.

Relevant topics include mental workload, decision making, skilled performance, human-

computer interaction, human reliability, work stress, and training as these may relate to human-

system design.

Organizational Ergonomics

Whereas physical ergonomics tends to focus on individual comfort, organizational

ergonomics examines ways to optimize the entire workplace. That is Organizational ergonomics

is concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems (structural issues) in an

organization such as organizational structures, operational regulations, policies, and processes. It

mostly entails finding ways to optimize teamwork, improve communications, increase output

and bolster the overall quality of a product. Dysfunctional workplaces with high rates of job

dissatisfaction often provide biomedical engineers with rich playgrounds in which to work their

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magic. Its privileged contacts are human resources managers. They work in particular on issues

related to communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times,

teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work

paradigms, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management.

In conclusion, although ergonomics has been a popular area of study for decades, it’s only

recently become a priority for many employers. By keeping people safe and comfortable in their

work environments, companies can ensure long-term employee satisfaction and consistently

good job performances. If you have a genuine interest in biomedical engineering, it’s imperative

that you become well-versed in the basics of ergonomics. Brushing up on physical,

organizational and cognitive ergonomics is an absolute must for anyone hoping to study or find a

career in the aforementioned field.

ERGONOMICS PROCESS

Assess Risk: Conducting an ergonomic assessment is a foundational element of the ergonomics

process. Your ergonomic improvement efforts will never get off the ground without being able to

effectively assess jobs in your workplace for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors.

Plan Improvements: The core goal of the ergonomics process is to make changes to your

workplace that reduce risk. Making changes at scale requires a significant planning effort that

includes prioritizing jobs to be improved, identifying effective improvement ideas, and cost-

justifying the improvement projects.

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Measure Progress: Measurement is an important component of any successful continuous

improvement process. High performing ergonomics programs are constantly measured using

both leading and lagging indicators.

Scale Solutions: By establishing a common set of tools to train your workforce, assess risk, plan

improvements, measure progress, and design new work processes, you’ll be able to scale

ergonomics best practices throughout your organization.

STAKEHOLDERS OF HFE/ERGONOMICS

Any person or group of people that can affect, be affected, or perceive themselves to be affected

by an ergonomics decision or activity is a stakeholder of it. Stakeholders are inter-related and

include:

 System influencers – e.g., competent authorities such as governments, regulators,

standardization organizations at national and regional levels.

 System decision makers – e.g., employers and managers, those who make decisions about

requirements for the system design, purchasing system, implementation and use;

 System experts – e.g., professional ergonomics specialists, professional engineers and

psychologists who contribute to the design of systems based on their specific professional

backgrounds;

 System actors – e.g., employees/workers, product/service users, who are part of the

system and who are directly or indirectly affected by its design and who, directly or

indirectly, affect its performance.

Stakeholders for ergonomics can represent many levels, domains, and types of influence and

investment, such as:

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  International level – regulatory officials and policy makers, International NGOs

 National level – government, law and policy makers, regulators, national NGOs

 Educational level – universities, applied sciences programs, vocational education,

professors, teachers, students

 Practice level – CEOs and managers in companies, designers of work and work systems

in different fields, practitioners in domains relevant to HFE.

VALUE OF ERGONOMICS IN THE WORLD OF WORK

Work systems are made up of humans, the tools, processes, and technologies they use, and the

work environment. HFE contributes to the creation of safe and sustainable work systems by

considering the interrelatedness of human, technical, and environmental components and the

potential effects of work system design changes on all parts of the system. Members of the HFE

community recognize the need for participation of all stakeholder in system design groups (i.e.,

Participatory HFE). HFE simultaneously contributes to the economic health of organizations by

enhancing worker well-being, capability and sustainability, maximizing performance, and

reducing direct costs as well as indirect costs from productivity losses, quality deficiencies, and

employee turnover. Workplaces that are designed with HFE principles have better employee

performance and produce better business results. HFE design in work systems is simply and

unquestionably good business.

BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICS

The implementation of ergonomics safety as part of the workplace safety program helps ensure

that employees’ capabilities and physical limitations are matched with the right tools and

working spaces to ensure comfortable and safe working conditions for them. The benefits of an

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ergonomics safety program can not only make an impact on the lives of employees, but it can

also make a difference in the overall efficiency of the entire organization. Here are some of the

most notable benefits of ergonomic safety in the workplace:

 Helps reduce costs

By systematically reducing ergonomic risk factors, you can prevent costly MSDs. With a

rise in workers’ compensation costs attributed to MSDs, ergonomic safety represents an

opportunity for significant cost savings.

 Helps prevent other incidents and injuries

Workers who experience discomfort on the job may find shortcuts or workarounds that

could result in incidents and injuries such as slips, falls, and lacerations. Implementing an

ergonomics program and encouraging workers to report ergonomic issues early helps

prevent MSDs as well as other common workplace incidents.

 Improves overall productivity

Healthy employees are your most valuable asset; creating and fostering the safety &

health culture at your company will lead to improved productivity for your organization.

Effective ergonomic safety programs can promote good posture at all times, less exertion,

fewer motions, and better heights and reaches, thus helping employees to work more

comfortably and efficiently in their workstations.

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  Helps foster employee engagement and satisfaction

Employees notice when the company is putting forth their best efforts to ensure their

health and safety. It shows your company’s commitment to safety and health as a core

value. If an employee does not experience fatigue and discomfort during their workday, it

can reduce turnover, decrease absenteeism, improve morale, and increase employee

involvement.

 It improves product quality

Poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and fatigued workers that don’t do their best work.

When the job task is too physically taxing on the worker, they may not perform their job

like they were trained. For example, an employee might not fasten a screw tight enough

due to a high force requirement which could create a product quality issue.

 It creates better safety culture

Ergonomics shows your company’s commitment to safety and health as a core value. The

cumulative effect of the previous five benefits of ergonomics is a stronger safety culture

for your company. Healthy employees are your most valuable asset; creating and

fostering the safety & health culture at your company will lead to better human

performance for your organization.

RISKS OF POOR ERGONOMICS

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 Poor ergonomics is not the same as poor design. With design, ergonomics is just one

factor out of many jostling for attention. Ergonomics must be balanced with other factors such as

aesthetics (how a product looks), the market (what people want to buy), and budget, which can

determine the quality of the materials and components used to build it. Poor ergonomics

describes a lack of unity between environment, task and equipment. An upright dining chair, for

example, may not be considered ergonomic, but in the right environment, such as a rarely-used

dining room, it fulfils its role perfectly. In an office environment in which people need to be

seated for extended periods of time, the same type of chair could cause problems with its lack of

lumbar support and the rigid, static angle.

REFERENCES

1. Bridger, R. S. (2018). Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics, 4 th Edition. Boca

Raton, FL, USA. CRC Press.
2. Read, G.J.M., Salmon, P.M., Goode, N., & Lenné, M.G. (2018). A sociotechnical design
toolkit for bridging the gap between systems‐based analyses and system design. Human
Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries,28(6), 327-341.
3. Principles and Guidelines for HF/E Design and Management of Work Systems. (2019)
Joint Document by IEA and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
4. Wilson, J. R. (2014). Fundamentals of systems of ergonomics/human factors. Applied
Ergonomics (45), 5-13.
5. Dul, J., Bruder, R., Buckle, P., Carayon, P., Falzon, P., Marras, W. S., Wilson, J. R., &
van der Doelen, B.(2012). A strategy for human factors/ergonomics: Developing the
discipline and profession,Ergonomics, 55:4, 377-
395, DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2012.661087
6. Hendrick, H. W. (2003). Determining the cost-benefits of ergonomics projects and
factors that lead to their success. Applied Ergonomics, 34, 419-427.

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