HUMAN ENGINEERING

&
WORK ENVIORNMENT

PRESENTED BY

RESHMI V R

ROLL NO . 32
 ERGONOMICS – WHAT IS IT ?
 HUMAN ENGINEERING IS ALSO
CALLED
ERGONOMICS.

 DERIVED FROM TWO GREEK

WORDS ;
ERGON MEANS “ WORK”
NOMOS MEANS “LAW”
 DEFINITION…….
 ERGONOMICS is the study of human
interaction with tools ,technology,
work process and the environment in
which people function.

 Ergonomics is “fitting” the job to the person.

Matter Products
Energy
E Energy
Information

Knowledge
H M

Injuries

Absenteeism

Accidents
 DOMAINS
 THE INTERNATIONAL ERGONOMICS
ASSOCIATION (IEA) divides ergonomics
into 3 domains.

 PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS : is concerned with

how the physical environment around us which might
affect our performance.
 DOMAINS
continued….


ORGANIZATIONAL ERGONOMICS : is
concerned with optimization of
socio technical systems,including
organisational structures,policies and
process.
COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS : is concerned
with mental processes such as
perception,memory,reasoning.
 MUSCULO SKELETAL DISORDERS
MUSCULO SKELETAL DISORDERS (MSD’s) CAN
AFFECT THE BODY’S MUSCLES,JOINTS,TENDONS,
LIGAMENTS AND NERVES.MOST WORK
RELATED MSD’s DEVELOP OVERTIME AND ARE
CAUSED EITHER BY WORK ITSELF OR BY
EMPLOYEES’ WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
RISK FACTORS AND CAUSES OF
MSD’s
 Repetition
 Force
 Awkward Posture
 Static Posture
 Contact Stress
 Temperature Extremes
 Vibration
 Psycho Social Issues
 Repetition
 Occurs when the same or similar
movements are performed
frequently.

 It can also occur when different

tasks are performed if those tasks
have the same movements.

 Injury may result from when

tissues do not have adequate time
to recover.
 Awkward Posture

 Is a deviation from “Neutral” body position.

 A “ Neutral “ body position is safest and most

efficient position in which to work.

 Awkward posture puts stress on muscles, tendons

and joints.
 Force

 Force is the amount of physical effort

required by a person to do a task or
maintain control of tools or
equipment.

 With excessive force the muscles

are contracting much harder than
normal , this can lead to stress on
muscles , tendons and joints.
 Static Posture

 It occurs when one position is held for a

prolonged period of time.

 The muscles will become fatigued from a lack of

blood flow during a static posture.

 This fatigue can lead to discomfort and even

injury.
 Contact Stress
o It is caused by any sharp or hard object
putting localized pressure on a part of the
body.

o Contact stress will irritate local tissues and

interfere with circulation and nerve function.
 Temperature Extremes

 Extreme cold constricts blood vessels and

reduces sensitivity and coordination of body
parts.

 Excessive heat can result in increased fatigue

and heat stress.
 Vibration

 Exposure to vibration can occur while

using power tools or while driving
equipment

 Vibration from power tools can place

stress on the tissues of the
fingers,hand and arms.
 Psycho Social Issues
o Stress, boredom , job dissatisfaction and anxiety
can contribute to the possibility of developing a
MSD.

o Psycho-social issues can create increased muscle

tension and reduce a person’s awareness of work
technique.
Tips….
 ADVANTAGES OF ERGONOMICS

 Increased savings
 Fewer employees experiencing pain
 Increased productivity
 Increased morale
 Reduced absenteeism
CASE STUDY
 Points to remember…..
 Many workers suffer from injuries and diseases
that result from manual work and the increased
mechanization of work.
 Ergonomics looks at ways to make the job fit
the worker ,instead of forcing the worker to fit
the job.
 Ergonomics can be used to improve poor
working conditions.
 Without the application of ergonomic principles,
workers are often forced to adapt themselves
to poor working conditions.
 REFERENCES
 Introduction to ergonomics – R.S. Bridger 2nd
edition.
 Ergonomics and Work Design- Pranab kumar
Nag 2nd edition.
 www.google.com
THANK YOU