Ergonomics Flashcards
What doe ACE stand for?
Association of Canadian Ergonomists
What does IEA stand for?
International Ergonomics Association
Anthropometrics
Study of human size and proportions
What type of display is best for ease of reading detection of change and maintaining a high level of process control?
Moving pointer with a fixed scale
Hand tool and portable power tool ergonomic stress to workers can be cause by what factors?
- Force needed to hold and use tool
- Direction of the force
- Weight of the materials
- Number of repetitions of an activity
- Worker posture while using tool
CSA Z412
Guideline on Office Ergonomics
When is a muscle the strongest?
a muscle is strongest at the beginning of its contraction (or close to its relaxed length) at about the midpoint of the joint range of motion. For example, the arm is typically strongest with the elbow angle between 90 and 120 degrees.
Name 7 of the most common physical hazards for MSDs
- awkward postures
- static work
- repetition
- force
- vibration
- temperature extremes
- impact loading
Vision handles approximately ____%of our information input, although with computer work vision accounts for ___%.
85; 100
9 steps of the ergonomic process
- Identify a starting point and establish a foundation for success
- Educate
- Identify MSD hazards
- Perform risk assessments
- Investigate controls (immediate and long-term)
- Implement controls (Administrative and engineering)
- Monitor effectiveness / follow up
- Communicate
- Expand on success
What is the key principle when applying ergonomics to the workplace?
Consideration of individual differences is a key principle when applying ergonomics. Although people have basic body parts and human characteristics, there is considerable variability between parts and characteristics. The differences between individuals must be recognized and accommodated in order to optimize the fit between people and their jobs.
A common fallacy is that the workplace should be designed for the “average” worker. There are no people who are “average” in most or all respects, so attempts to design for the “average” end up fitting nobody very well. Designs must consider the variations, ranges, and combinations of different human traits in order to make the workplace safe, effective, and efficient. If fit is critical, it is necessary to design for the population on either side of the 50th percentile.
Biological factors for ergonomics
Biological factors may include: • Age • Size • Gender • Illness or disability • Previous injuries • Physical fitness and health levels
Sociological factors for ergonomics
Sociological factors may include: • Perception of workload • Relationships with co-workers • Relationship with Supervisor • Work culture • Ability to handle stress
Qualitative ergonomic assessment tools
Ergonomist do a walkthrough of the work environment and use their professional judgment and experience to suggest areas of concern. Another commonly used qualitative tool is a checklist which lists job risk factors
Quantitative ergonomic assessment tools
NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation, heart rate assessments, and biomechanical analyses. Typically, these tools and methods are used more often in research work, rather than by practitioners in everyday work settings.
Some other tools involve workers subjectively rating various physical and mental demands of work. Two of the most widely used subjective rating scales for physical demands in the workplace are the Borg scales of perceived exertion and perceived discomfort. These are tools where individuals respond to questions about their jobs using a pre-defined scale and method.
