MODULE: ERGONOMICS & FACILITIES PLANNING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTR

Chapter 1: History of Ergonomic

Learning Objective
 Discuss the history of Ergonomic
 Cite the father of Ergonomic
 Assess the students at the end of the lesson
History of Ergonomics

Trace ergonomics to its origin

The term ergonomics originally comes from the Greek words ergon (work or labor)
and nomos (natural laws). The fact that the word ergonomics was coined by a
Polish scholar, Wojciech Jastrzębowski, in 1857 became widely known when his
book in Polish was reprinted with English translation in 1997.
The year 1857 falls in the fourth year of the Ansei period in Japan, which was the
time just after the arrival of Perry and his black ships.
Association between ―labor‖ and ―health‖, in
other words, the kinds of ―health problems‖
caused by ―working‖ was often reported even
in the age of ancient Egypt and the Greek
and Roman period. It is in ―De morbis
artificum diatriba,‖ a classic by Bernardino
Ramazzini (1633-1714), an Italian physician,
that the relationship between working
conditions and pathology was first
systematized from an occupational health perspective. In this book, not only
respiratory disorders such as asthma and tuberculosis caused by fine particles but
effects of awkward working postures on workers’ bodies were referred to as
diseases observed among metal mining workers. It can be said that the age of
industrialization, promoted by the Industrial Revolution that started in the 18th
century, demanded clarification of the relationship between labor and health.
However, the development of preventive measures based on an ergonomic
perspective and ergonomic methods and approaches, such as the measurement
of occupational fatigue and the establishment of principles in scientific
management of labor, had to wait until the beginning of the 20th century.

Ergonomics
1. Definition - Ergonomics is the study of human abilities and characteristics
which affect the design of equipment, systems, and jobs. The terms ergonomics
and human factors can be used interchangeably.

The latest formal definition of Ergonomics is:

"Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of the interactions among human and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in
order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.―
(International Ergonomics Association Executive Council, August 2000)

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2. Development of Ergonomics -

 Origin - The name ergonomics officially proposed at a 1949 meeting of the

British Admiralty (July 12), by Prof. Hugh Murrell. The name 'Ergonomics'
officially accepted in 1950. The name Ergonomics was derived from the
Greek words: Ergon - work; Nomos - natural law. First use of the word
actually can be traced to a series of four articles written by Prof. Wojciech
Jastrzebowski in Poland in 1857.
 Britain - The Ergonomic Society was formed in 1952 with people from
psychology, biology, physiology, and design.
 United States - The Human Factors Society was formed in 1957. In the
US "human factors engineering" was emphasized by the US military with
concentration on human engineering and engineering psychology. US
efforts also focused on the "role" of an individual within a complex system.

3. Boundaries for Ergonomics -

Ergonomics includes study of the following:

Work Environment
1. Physical demands (e.g. lifting objects, moving objects)
2. Skill demands (e.g. typing at 110 words per minute)
3. Risk demands (e.g. running on an ice pavement)
4. Time demands (e.g. trying to finish all of the work by the end of semester)

Psychosocial Environment
1. Social (e.g. working in teams)
2. Cultural (e.g. pace of life is different in different countries)
3. Lifestyle (e.g. work vs. leisure time, and quality of life issues differ between
countries)

Physical Environment
1. physical agents (e.g. heat, noise, vibration)
2. chemical agents (e.g. air pollutants)
3. biological agents (e.g. airborne diseases)
Technology
1. Product design (e.g. designing product dimensions using anthropometrics,
biomechanics data)

2. Hardware Interface design (e.g. designing controls and displays to meet user
expectations)

3. Software interface design (e.g. designing icons and commands to meet user
expectations)

4. Ergonomic Considerations -
a. Physical factors - ambient conditions; objects (tools, furniture, etc.)
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b. Biological factors - body dimensions, body capabilities, physiological processes
c. Psychological factors - mental workload, information processing, training,
motivation
d. Work factors - job demands (time, rate, etc.), job design
e. Organizational factors - organization type/climate, management regimes

5. Objectives of Ergonomics -
a. Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness with which work is carried out - A vital
difference between people and machines is that people make mistakes. If we look
positively at how people make mistakes to decrease errors (error analysis), we
can increase ease of use and reliability of performance. This can increase
productivity and the effectiveness of the system.

b. Enhance certain desirable human values at work - increase safety; increase

comfort (of using technology); decrease fatigue of operator (e.g. by providing
more rest breaks); decrease stress on individual; increase user satisfaction; and
increase quality of life for all people (able and differently-abled people).
In 1919 ―The Science of Labour and Its Organization‖ by Józefa Joteyko, a Polish
scientist, was published in English, in which measurement of occupational fatigue
and principles in scientific management of labor were discussed in detail.

Another course of development, human factors

 Another course of development of ergonomics is the research of human
errors that has been pursued mainly in the US since the end of World War
II. In those days accidents involving airplanes, such as one in which an
aircraft of the US air force crashed into the Rocky mountains, occurred so
often that the investigation team composed of specialists in psychology and
aeronautical engineering probed into the cause. The conclusion was that
pilots had misread the altimeter due to the bad design of its interface.
Human cognitive characteristics taken into consideration, the altimeter for
aircrafts was then designed to have an easy-to-read, single pointer. This is
how the science of human factors has developed in the context of applied
psychology. Now this scientific field is not only providing safe and
comfortable designs, such as ones to prevent human errors and those
found in simple and easy-to-use products for walk-up-and-use as well as
consumer equipment, but is also expanding its target area to medicine,
welfare, aviation, traffic systems and public facilities.
 Origin of ergonomics in Japan, and modern ergonomics
 The pioneer of ergonomic research in Japan was Gito Teruoka. He
founded the Kurashiki Institute of Science of Labour in 1921 and became
its director. That year, ―Research of Efficiency: Ergonomics‖ by Kan-ichi
Tanaka was also published. In his book Tanaka introduced human
engineering to Japan, which was, unlike science of labor, based on
American psychology and placed an importance on methods to utilize
human power most economically. In the US, several ergonomically-
renowned textbooks written by scientists such as Woodson, McCormick
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and Sanders have been published since the 1950s. In 1963 the first edition
of a masterpiece by Grandjean, ―Fitting the Task to the Man,‖ was
published. In 1996, the IEA and the ILO jointly launched ―Ergonomics
Checkpoints‖ with easy-to-understand illustrations for the improvement of
workplaces and working conditions.
 The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) was founded in 1959,
organizing ergonomics-related societies or associations formed in different
countries/areas around the world. Its international conference is held every
three years, and was hosted mainly by European cities such as Stockholm,
Dortmund, Birmingham, and Strasburg in the past. However, it has also
been held in cities in Asia and Australia recently: Tokyo in 1982, Sydney in
1988, Seoul in 2003 and Beijing in 2009. The Japan Ergonomics Society
(JES) has actively participated in IEA activities and contributed to them in
the field of human resources and funding as well. Some members of the
JES have even served as its chairperson or board members. We are also
ready to keep contributing to the IEA by, for example, participating in many
of the science and technology committees set up in the association.

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history.html#:~:text=The%20term%20ergonomics%20originally%20comes,with%20English%20translation%20in%2019
97.

Understanding the Different Types of Ergonomics

Ergonomics has been widely studied for nearly 70 years. The process of
designing products and workplaces to accommodate the people who use them,
ergonomics is a popular area of study for biomedical engineers. It’s important to
understand, however, that ergonomics is not a one-size-fits-all affair. There are
three primary types of ergonomics: physical, cognitive and organizational.
Forming a solid understanding of the various types of ergonomics will prove highly
beneficial to anyone with an interest in biomedical engineering.

Physical Ergonomics
Physical ergonomics are arguably the most important type of ergonomics, as most
employers prioritize physical comfort when trying to accommodate their workers.
Physical ergonomics focus on the ways in which people’s bodies interact with the
tools they use on a daily basis. Said tools include desk chairs, keyboards and
assorted computer equipment. Additionally, the study of physical ergonomics isn’t
limited exclusively to office environments. Biomedical engineers also study the
tools used by people who work in more physically demanding professions, such
as construction and manufacturing. For more information on physical ergonomics,
pay a visit to OH&S’s website.

Organizational Ergonomics
Whereas physical ergonomics tends to focus on individual comfort, organizational
ergonomics examines ways to optimize entire workplaces. This entails finding
ways to optimize teamwork, improve communications, increase output and bolster
the overall quality of a product. Dysfunctional workplaces with high rates of job

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dissatisfaction often provide biomedical engineers with rich playgrounds in which
to work their magic.

Cognitive Ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics deal with the mind’s ability to process information and
interact with data. Finding ways to help people retain data is among the key areas
of study for engineers in this field. Furthermore, engineers who work in cognitive
ergonomics place a great deal of emphasis on both the design and visibility of
safety signs in workplaces. Since both of these factors tie directly into data
retention, signs are closely studied by biomedical engineers.
https://www.khmedia.in/understanding-the-different-types-of-ergonomics.html

Although ergonomics has been a popular area of study for decades, it’s only
recently become a priority for many employers. By keeping people safe and
comfortable in their work environments, companies can ensure long-term
employee satisfaction and consistently good job performances. If you have a
genuine interest in biomedical engineering, it’s imperative that you become well-
versed in the basics of ergonomics. Brushing up on physical, organizational and
cognitive ergonomics is an absolute must for anyone hoping to study or find a
career in the aforementioned field.

The Advantages of Ergonomics What is ergonomics?

Ergonomics is designing a job to fit the worker so the work is safer and more
efficient. Implementing ergonomic solutions can make employees more
comfortable and increase productivity.

Why is ergonomics important?

Ergonomics is important because when you’re doing a job and your body is
stressed by an awkward posture, extreme temperature, or repeated movement
your musculoskeletal system is affected. Your body may begin to have symptoms
such as fatigue, discomfort, and pain, which can be the first signs of a
musculoskeletal disorder. What is a musculoskeletal disorder?

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are conditions that affect your body’s muscles,
joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
MSDs can develop over time or can occur immediately due to overload.
What are the advantages of ergonomics?
1. Increased savings
• Fewer injuries
• More productive and sustainable employees
• Fewer workers’ compensation claims – The average direct cost of a workers
compensation claim for an MSD is $14,120 (Oregon OSHA 2007) – The
indirect costs involved bring the total average claim cost to well over $32,000
2. Fewer employees experiencing pain
• Implementing ergonomic improvements can reduce the risk factors that
lead to discomfort.
3. Increased productivity
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• Ergonomic improvements can reduce the primary risk factors for MSDs,
so workers are more efficient, productive, and have greater job satisfaction.
4. Increased morale
• Attention to ergonomics can make employees feel valued because they
know their employer is making their workplace safer.
5. Reduced absenteeism
• Ergonomics leads to healthy and pain-free workers who are more likely to
be engaged and productive.
Ergonomics Information and Resources Direct costs are those directly
associated with the claim and include:
 Medical treatment
 Prescription costs
 Insurance premiums Indirect costs associated with the injury can include:
 Overtime due to staff coverage during absence of injured worker
 Accommodation for modified duty
 Increased absenteeism
 Decreased morale
 Legal and investigation costs
 Presenteeism: when an employee comes back to work too early and is less
productive than in a healthy state
 Replacement worker costs
 Advertising and recruiting if employee doesn’t return to work
 Orientation and training costs
Risk reduction techniques Job rotation
• Cross train workers so they can rotate jobs throughout the day.
• Change tasks often within your own job (Example: type for an hour and
then file for an hour). Job hazard analysis
• Break each job up into smaller or different tasks.
• Determine the risk factors for each task.
• Determine how each task affects risk factors for the total job. Select
appropriate tools
• By attaching a handle extension, bending can be eliminated from many
jobs. Participatory ergonomics
• Enlist workers to brainstorm better ways to do their work.
• Have trained workers teach new staff. Ergonomics training
• Educate staff on the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, and how
ergonomics can make their work easier, more efficient, and safer.
• Train staff to identify job tasks that may present a risk and determine
better ways to complete those tasks. Comprehensive ergonomics program
A comprehensive ergonomics program can save your company money. It
must include several elements.
• Worker involvement – workers must be involved in all aspects of the
ergonomics program.
• Management commitment – leaders must make employee health and
safety a priority.

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• Training – employees need to be trained to understand ergonomics —
why it’s important and what is expected of them.
• Sustainability – your program should become part of your safety
committee/safety meetings.
• Evaluation – maintain company statistics on annual MDS claims, direct
and indirect costs, and number and outcomes of completed job analysis.
This will help build your case when you present an issue to management
and staff

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https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/ergo/ergoadvantages.pdf

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Ergonomic hazards

Ergonomic hazards are physical factors in the environment that may cause
musculoskeletal injuries.

Types of ergonomic hazards

The main areas of concern for ergonomic hazards include:

 equipment layout and operation

 lifting, pushing and pulling (manual handling)
 lighting
 noise
 systems and computer programs
 task, job and workplace design
 workstation design and height.

Virtual office is a tool we have developed to help you identify ergonomic health
and safety risks found in office-based workplaces.

Eliminate ergonomic hazards

Expand all

Good work design

Good work design is the most effective way to eliminate hazards as the process
considers health and safety issues during the concept and planning phases.
In these early stages you have the best chance to:

 design out hazards

 effectively control risks
 design in efficiencies.
See Good work design for a set of principles and a handbook for good work
design we helped produce as well as other guidance.
Manual handling (Lifting, pushing and pulling)
Hazardous manual tasks are where you must lift, lower, push, pull, carry, hold or
restrain something. These tasks can include factors which stress the body, such
as:

 repetitive movement
 high or sudden force
 awkward postures
 exposure to vibration.
https://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/prevent-harm/ergonomic-hazards

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Correct, neutral posture

Postures where the body is aligned and balanced,

while sitting or standing. The head is kept upright
and is not turned to either side more than about 30
degrees or tilted forward or backward more than
about 15 degrees. When the worker is standing, the
torso is not bent more than 10 to 20 degrees from
the vertical position and the natural curves of the
spine are maintained. The pelvis and shoulders
should face straight ahead to avoid twisting the torso. The shoulders are
relaxed and knees slightly bent. The arms hang normally at the side, with
elbows close to the body. The elbows are not bent more than about 90
degrees and the palms face in toward each other and the center line of the
body. The wrists are in line with the forearms and are not bent sideways,
forward (towards the palm), or backward (towards the back of the hand.)
When the worker is seated, the buttocks and feet are firmly supported.

Housekeeping

Establishing a strong housekeeping program

will keep the work place tidy and reduce the
risk of tripping over cords and debris. It also
extends the life of tools and equipment, and
results in increased productivity.

Lifting

Lifting properly is important. While there are some general lifting guidelines, a
different approach may be needed for each load to be lifted. Sometimes it is
appropriate to lift with the legs, and other times the back should be used to lift.
These techniques depend on the size and shape of the load, and the
frequency of lifting that is required.

Planning

Planning should be done with ergonomics in mind. Items to be planned

include determining routes between staging areas and work spaces,
scheduling for members of other trades, and knowing what services and
utilities will be provided.

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Power zone

The power zone for lifting is close to the body,

between mid-thigh and mid-chest height.
Comparable to the strike zone in baseball, this
zone is where arms and back can lift the most
with the least amount of effort.

Proper handholds

Proper handholds make lifting easier and reduce the risk of

injury. Handholds should be made large enough to
accommodate larger hands and should not dig into fingers and
palms.

Pulling vs. Pushing

Pushing is generally preferable to pulling.

Pushing allows the employee to use large
muscle groups and apply more force to the
load. Pulling carries a greater risk of strain
and injury.

Staging

Staging is an important step in any electrical project. Proper staging includes

placing materials as close as possible to work spaces, and storing materials
at ideal heights so employees can utilize the power zone to take materials
from storage.

Task Rotation

Many stressors cannot be engineered out of a task, short of complete

automation. Rotation of assignments can be an effective means of limiting the
amount of time employees are exposed to these stressors. This will often
reduce the chance of injury, because the risk of injury is proportional to the

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amount of time one is exposed to a stressor.

Caution: Rotation of assignments should never be used before significant

attempts to eliminate the stressors have been investigated. The job should
always be modified to expose the employee to the least amount of stress
possible. Analysis of the job is essential, because moving an employee
between tasks that affect the same part of the body does not provide any
periods of rest.

Rotate to jobs that affect different parts of the body or have different
intensities.
Many tasks primarily affect different parts of the body. Some example are:

 Lifting a heavy load.

 Repeatedly bending generally affects the low back.
 Reaching to access or to place items in positions that require the
elbows to be pulled away from the body often affects the shoulder.
 Grabbing, turning, squeezing or finger strikes can affect the hand,
wrist, and elbow.
 Looking down or to the side repeatedly for a prolonged time can affect
the neck, head, and shoulders.
 Tasks that require standing for a long time can affect the legs, feet, and
back.

Rotation of employees between tasks that affect different parts of the body
allows employees to have periods of rest and recuperation while still
remaining on the job. An example of a possible rotation scheme might be to
move an employee who spends most of the day attaching fixtures or other
overhead task to a loading and moving job where the arms are down at their
sides. While on the lifting task the hands, shoulders and arms can rest if the
loads lifted are not too large and proper hand holds are provided.

Work areas may have tasks of differing intensities, such as using #12 wire
which requires more force exertion rather than using #14 wire which is easier
to bend. Look for opportunities to rotate between tasks that are less intense
and more intense.

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