Ergonomics

Ergonomics can be defined simply as the study of work. More specifically,

ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit theworker, rather than
physically forcing the workers body to fit the job.Adapting tasks, work
stations, tools, and equipment to fit the worker can help reducephysical
stress on a workers body and eliminate many potentially serious, disabling
workrelatedmusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Ergonomics draws on a number of scientific disciplines, including physiology,
biomechanics, psychology, anthropometry, industrial hygiene, and
kinesiology.
Important of ergonomics
Industries increasingly require higher production rates and advances in
technology to remain competitive and stay in business. As a result, jobs
today can involve:
Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing or pulling loads without help
from other workers or devices;
Increasing specialization that requires the worker to perform only one
function or movement for a long period of time or day after day;
Working more than 8 hours a day;
Working at a quicker pace of work, such as faster assembly line
speeds; and
Having tighter grips when using tools.
Types of Ergonomic Improvements
In general, ergonomic improvements are changes made to improve the fit
between the demands of work tasks and the capabilities of your workers.
There are usually many options for improving a particular manual handling
task. It is up to you to make informed choices about which improvements will
work best for particular tasks.
There are two types of ergonomic improvements:
Engineering improvements
Administrative improvements
1. Engineering Improvements
These include rearranging, modifying, redesigning, providing or replacing
tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, processes, products, or
materials.
2. Administrative Improvements

Observe how different workers perform the same tasks to get ideas for
improving work practices or organizing the work. Then consider the following
improvements:
Alternate heavy tasks with light tasks.
Provide variety in jobs to eliminate or reduce repetition (i.e., overuse of
the same muscle groups).
Adjust work schedules, work pace, or work practices.
Provide recovery time (e.g., short rest breaks).
Modify work practices so that workers perform workwithin their power
zone (i.e., above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the
body).
Rotate workers through jobs that use different muscles, body parts, or
postures.
ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN WORKPLACE DESIGN
Some ergonomics principles that should be applied to the workplace,
whether in an industrial or an office environment, include the following:
(1) Aim at dynamic work, avoid static work (work where there is no
movement).
(2) Adjust work surface heights to the size
(3) Work within 30 per cent of one's maximum voluntary contraction
(strength). Avoid overloadingof the muscular system.
(4) Place primary controls, devices, and work pieces within the normal
working area.
(5) Strive for best mechanical advantage of the skeletal system.
(6) Work with both hands.
(7) Hands should move in symmetrical and opposite directions.
(8) Use the feet as well as the hands.
(9) Design knowing the capacity of the fingers. Do not overload the fingers.
(10) Use gravity. Do not oppose it to dispose ofunbreakable products.
(11) A void armature posture. Bend the handle of the tool not the wrist.

(12) Permit change of posture. Maintain a proper sittingposture.

(13) Counter-balance tools when possible to reduce theweight and forces.
(14) Accommodate the large individual and give him orher sufficient room.
(15) Use bins with lips for storage and manual retrieval ofsmall parts instead
of boxes. Incline containers so as to reduce awkward postures of the body.
(16) Train the individual to use the workplace, facility and equipment
properly.
What are MSDs
MSDs, or musculoskeletal disorders, are injuries and disorders of the soft
tissues
(Muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) and nervous system.
They can affectnearly all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths,
and most frequently involvethe arms and back.
Occupational safety and health professionals have called these disorders a
variety of names, including cumulative trauma disorders, repeated trauma,
repetitive stress injuries, and occupational overexertion syndrome.
How can ergonomics help my workplace?
Providing a workplace free of ergonomic hazards can do the following:
Lower injury rates as MSD incidences godown;
Increase productivity by making jobs easier and more comfortable for
workers;
Improve product quality because fewer errors will be made when using
automated processes that demand less physical effort;
Reduce absences because workers will beless likely to take time off to
recover frommuscle soreness, fatigue, and MSD-related problems;
Reduce turnover as new hires are more likely to find an ergonomically
designed job withintheir physical capacity;
Lower costs as workers compensation and other payments for illness
and replacement workers go down;
Improve worker safety;
Increase worker comfort;
Reduce worker fatigue; and
Improve worker morale.

How do I control ergonomic risk factors?

Employers can prevent MSD hazards by properly designing the job or work
station and selecting the appropriate tools or equipment for that job. Based
on information from the job analysis, an employer can establish procedures
to correct or control risk factors by using:
Appropriate engineering controls, such as work station, tool, and equipment
design or redesign;
Work practices, such as proper lifting techniques and keeping work areas
clean;
Administrative controls, such as worker rotation, more task variety, and
increased rest breaks, and if necessary.
Personal protective equipment, such as knee pads, vibration gloves, and
similar devices.
The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health recommends using the following guidelines in jobs
requiring manual handling:
Minimize the distance between the load and the body.
Lift loads from knuckle height.
Keep the travel distance for the lift to less than 10 feet.
Minimize twisting.
Provide good handles for grasping loads.

STRAIGHT KNIFE CUTTING MACHINE:

It is the most useful cutting instrument in apparel cutting. In apparel
industry, more than 99% cases this knife is used. This machine is called
straight knife cutting machine because its cutter is straight in shape. It is
used for both woven & knit fabric. In this machine different types of straight
knife are used according to the different cutting objects. This machine
provides good efficiency. Cutting of intricate patterns and tight turns due to
the low-profile base plate and narrow silhouette standard

CUTTING MACHINE PARTS INVOLVED IN

CUTTING
1. Knife/Blade
2. Sharpener
3. Motor
4. Fabric presser
5. Base plate
6. Moving handle
7. Transport handle
Features of Straight Knife Cutting
Machine:
The main parts of this machine
are straight knife, electric motor,
handle, Grinder, base plate,
stand/ knife holder, lubricating
unit, wheel etc.
Could be used to cut higher
depth of fabric.
Knife height is 10 cm to 33 cm.
Knife stroke is 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm.
Motor R.P.M. is 3000 to 4000.
Auto grinder is used.
Auto lubricating unit works for this machine.
Different types of knife edge are used for cutting different objects Such
as, straight edges, wave edge, sew edge & serrated edge.
A Handle for the cutter to direct the Knife.
Knife guard is attached to the front of the knife.
Sharp & heavy corners can be cut.
Maximum 70% of knife height is used for fabric lay.
Wheels are under the base plate to move the machine smoothly.
Machine weight is around 12-15 kg.
Knife cut the fabric very fast due to high speed of motor. That
increases the risk of fabric damage.
Advantages of Straight Knife Cutting Machine:
A large number of fabric lays can be cut by the machine due to high
length of knife & R.P.M. of the motor. So, productivity is high.
Automatic grinding.
Automatically lubrication.

Comparatively cheap.
Can be moved easily by wheel.
Suitable for straight line & curve line.
Can be cut high curve line than round knife.
Fabric can be cut from any angle.

Disadvantages of Straight Knife Cutting Machine:

1. High speed of the machine causes high risk of damage.
2. Faulty knife could damage fabric layer.
3. Motor weight creates knife deflection which may be creates faulty
pieces.
4. Risk is high for physical damage of operator.
5. Knife required to replace.

Straight knife cutting method

Cutting method is the use of the wrist,
0.5-1 cm down cut from the raw material
from the blade material. According to
force and direction Straight cut Push,
pull, cutting and sawing, Cutting Roll
cutting method, etc..
Straight cut Forced vertically
downwards, cutting materials, cutting
position is not moving straight,
continuous quickly cut off the jump cut.
Called raw materials suitable for
processing crisp of plants, such as carrots, potatoes, cabbage etc..