Week 1 - Introduction to Ergonomics

Question 1

Define: ergonomics

Answer 1

The science that addresses human performance and well-being in relation to the job, equipment, tools and environment

Fitting the job, equipment, tools and environment to the person NOT the person to the job, equipment, tools and environment

Question 2

Define: scientific management

Answer 2

management theory first advocated by Federick W. Taylor. It uses scientific methods to analyze the most efficient production process in order to increase productivity

Question 3

Explain 7 needs for ergonomics today

Answer 3

• increased injuries
• changing workforce
• changing work
• quality/productivity goals increasing
• regulations/ legislation
• increasingly complex technologies and systems
• consumer products (difficult to use, understand, learn, injuries)

Question 4

System design definition: open loop

Answer 4

• see reading

Question 5

System design definition: closed loop

Answer 5

• see reading

Question 6

Describe the person-process-environmental model (person-product-environmental)

Answer 6

• see reading

Question 7

Which human variability characteristics will affect behaviour with the system?

Answer 7

1. users’ physical characteristics
2. Users’ psychological characteristics
3. users’ knowledge and experience

Question 8

Information Collection Methods to understand what the user needs and capabilities are

Answer 8

• Observations - users in situation
• Interviews - structured, unstructured
• Questionnaires- general, specific questions
• Focus groups - on tasks, problems, future