Week 1

Question 1

Capability

Answer 1

the variety of physical and mental abilities that enable humans to perform work.

Question 2

Capacity

Answer 2

capacity is sometimes used interchangeably with capability, but it can also take on the more specific meaning of the ‘potential’ associated with a given capability.

Question 3

Ergonomics

Answer 3

“ergonomics aims to design appliances, technical systems and tasks in such a way as to improve human safety, health, comfort and performance.” (Dul & Weerdmeester, 2008)
IEA definition: “Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding of the 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.” (Dul & Weerdmeester, 2008)

Question 4

Ergonomics perspective

Answer 4

There are a number of features that define and differentiate the ergonomics perspective from other applied fields. These key features have been summed up concisely by Sanders and McCormick (1987):
be designed with the user in mind
Recognition of individual differences in human capabilities and limitations and an 
appreciation of their design implications.
Conviction that the design of things, procedures, etc. influences human behaviour and 
well-being.
Emphasis on empirical data and evaluation in the design process.
Reliance on the scientific method and the use of objective data to test hypotheses and 
generate basic data about human behaviour.
Commitment to a systems orientation and a recognition that things, procedures, 
environments, and people do not exist in isolation.

Question 5

Limitation

Answer 5

Underlying much ergonomic thought is the understanding that each human capability has its limits.

Question 6

Physical Ergonomics

Answer 6

Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Relevant topics include working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health.

Question 7

Error tolerant system

Answer 7

‘error-tolerant’ designs reduce the consequences of errors without reducing the likelihood of errors.
An error-tolerant system is a system that takes the human and technical characteristics into account in order to facilitate optimum function. When designing a system that excludes the potential for error, one has to be 100% sure that the design is perfect already - as the user is being given no scope to change it. Given that no system is perfect in perpetuity, it makes better sense to acknowledge this and instead attempt to steer the trial and error process by offering a combination of error-excluding and error-tolerant features.

Question 8

Organisational ergonomics

Answer 8

Organisational ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational structures, policies, and processes.
Relevant topics include communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work paradigms, virtual organisations, telework, and quality management.

Question 9

Affordances:

Answer 9

eg. A ledge at a comfortable sitting height is likely to be sat on at some point because it AFFORDS the opportunity to the passers by. It looks like a convenient seat therefore it will get used as one. A flat metal cover between knee and waist height over a heater in a lobby will probably therefore end up bent and broken from repeatedly taking people’s weight. The strength of the affordance will be moderated by:
- The context - Something affording ‘support for bags’ is more likely to be recognised and used as such if it’s in a position where you would expect and want to see such a thing - for example near a reception counter where the visitor would be actively searching for an object with these very characteristics.
- The culture - Most of us will have experience of reading the affordances of an environment differently to the locals when in an unfamiliar culture and behaving quite inappropriately as a result.
- The physical characteristics of the people concerned - such as their dimensions and capabilities. A high ledge does not afford seating to people with short legs.