Ergonomics and human factors Bi9100 Ergonomics and Applied Anthropology Ergonomics • Ergos – (greek) work • Nomos – (greek) law • The relationship between man and work environment • Multidisciplinary specialization Physical anthropology (anatomy, biomechanics) Sociology Physiology Medical sciences Basic concepts Criteria and parameters under evaluation• Floor surface • Work area • Work position • (Repetitive) work motion • Static and dynamic work ratio • Physical demands • Load manipulation • Visual conditions • Background color schemes • Visual input • Acoustic conditions • Mikroclimatic conditions • Psychosocial conditions • Notes on history: First use/definiton: W. Jastrzebowski, resp. H. Murrell (1949) • Historical/archeological evidence of adjusting instruments to match the human body and its capacity • Systematic study of interaction is a recent concept Performance and capacity • Somatic dimensions and motions/mobility • Muscle strength; physical work • Sensory capacity • Psychological features/capacity • Adaptation to work conditions Stress • Acute stress • (anticipative stress) • Chronic stress • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Burnout syndrome • Stress prevention • Stand-up work • Sitting-position work Anthropo-technical system • The human body – the living part of the system • The technical element – „lifeless“ part • The main goal – work/workplace efficiency (improvements in function, safety, design – adjusting/adapting the technical element to human physical and psychological capacity) • An optimal design reflects/respects biological variability • Fit the man to the job fit the job to the man „Traditional“ ergonomics Traditional methods of physical anthropology in ergonomics • Anthropometry • Dynamometry • Kinantropology • Biomechanics • Basic („structural“) measurements • Functional measurements • Design „conversion“ • The human body is a dynamic system • Importance of establishing the appropriate target population • Individual solutions – or wide-scale fitting solutions • Use of 3D advanced techniques (to model real/extreme situations) • Public/military sector (internal sources of data) • NASA „New“ approaches in ergonomics/HF • Simulations and modelling (advanced PC supported methods – virtual model of the human body) • HCI – human computer interaction (IT – hardware, software, interfacing fit to the user requirements); signal reception from the surroundings; responses (neurophysiological level) • Cognitive ergonomics • Recovery from work 3D simulatiom (SW Siemens Tecnomatix Jack) 3D simulations Cognitive testing www.themegallery.com Manipulation tests Recovery from work • High work-load – associations with several stressrelated disorders: anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, burnout, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases... • Ability to recover (in terms of turning off from work) is an important preventive factor • Work stress is closely associated with changes in various physiological indicators – elevated blood pressure, heart rate etc. • Work stress increase with low level of decision-making, responsibility and control over outcoumes paired with high demands Specifics of practical applications/method of physical anthropology • Work load regulation – efficiency, work proces management and regime • Workplace conditions adaptation – optimalization and individualization • Workplace conditions adaptation – minimizing health and injury risks • Analysis of planned or implemented work proces • Specific ethic aspect Anthropometry of a Czech Children Sample and its Use in Ergonomics – Preliminary Report Martin Čuta, Martin Zach Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science at Masaryk University, Vinařská 5, Brno CZ-603 00, Czech Republic Department of Furniture, Design and Habitat, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, Brno CZ-613 00, Czech Republic Simulation I – boy and girl (early school age), horizontal school desk (relevant size standard) with overlapping reach distances (comfort position) Simulation II – boy and girl (middle school age), reclining school desk (relevant size standard) with overlapping reach distances (maximum reach position) Mobile technology use study Positive correlation between first finger apex surface and the keyboard In males, hand width correlated with phone width Males more focused on technical parameters when selecting a phone Women more style- conscious Mobile technology use study • Texting thumb • Text neck Repetitive stress injury – mobile technology