Workplace design

Question 1

What are the four workstation arrangement principles?

Answer 1

• Importance
• Frequency of use
• Functional
• Sequence of use

Question 2

Seated Work is best done when…

Answer 2

• All items supplied and handled within seated area
• On average – Hands do not work more than 6 in above surface
• No large forces (ex. 10 lb weight)
• Mostly fine assembly or writing

Question 3

Standing Work is best done when….

Answer 3

• No knee clearance
• Objects weigh more than 10 lbs
• High/low/extended reach
• Operations are physically separated
• Downward force exerted

Question 4

How do fatigue mats help improve workstations?

Answer 4

By increasing muscle movement and blood flow which reduces fatigue. Raised surfaces on a fatigue mat promote better blood flow

Question 5

What is anthropometrics?

Answer 5

The study of people/populations in terms of their physical dimensions

Question 6

What are some anthropometrics variances?

Answer 6

• Nationality Variability
• Gender Variability
• Age Variability
• Occupational Variability

Question 7

Why use anthropometrics?

Answer 7

Accom – you fit a wide range of people.
Compat – The glove will fit the hand.
Operability – the button is large enough so it can be activated.
Maintainability – You can get to the items needed to be maintained.
Safety – You can reach that safety button – Everyone can see the safety button.
Performance- You can reach the petals of the car.

Question 8

Anthropometrics design range

Answer 8

• Fit at least 90% of the workers
• You are designing from the 5% female to the 95% male

Question 9

What type of curve distribution does anthropometrics follow?

Answer 9

Bell-shaped distribution

Question 10

Clearance design

Answer 10

You would want to design clearances for the largest worker, that way everyone fits! Good examples are doorways, do you ever see people bend down to go through a doorway? A bad example is having to bend down when taking a shower at hotels whose shower head is about 5 feet high.

Question 11

Limiting factor

Answer 11

A variable whose magnitude could restrict the use of the design for some people. By identifying this factor and setting it to an appropriate maximum or minimum value, the designer can accommodate most if not all of the population in question.
Example - Reach, Strength (e.g. distance of control button from operator, force required to operate control lever or button)

Question 12

Design for the range

Answer 12

• 50th percentile only
• Used as a last resort - may exclude 50% of the population
• There is no “average” person, (e.g. average height may not mean average arm length)

Question 13

What are the five steps of anthropometric design?

Answer 13

• Body Dimension
• Worker Population
• Select Percentile
• Tabled Values
• Adjustments