ERGONOMICS

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
It is simply put : Confusion
It is like elephant and many blind men.
This is a subject which is interpreted by
many people in their own way hence
confusion is the present state.


TEAM ERGONOMIC
Design engineers, production engineers,
industrial designers, computer specialists,
industrial physicians, health and safety
practitioners, and specialists in human
resources.

Almost everybody has a right to say
something about Ergonomics.


DIFFERENT DEFINITION
Ergonomics is the science that studies the
relationship of humans to their working
environment and seeks to improve working
conditions and increase efficiency.

Ergonomics (from Greek ergon work and
nomoi natural laws) is the study of
designing objects to be better adapted to
the shape of the human body and/or to
correct the user's posture


MY DEFINITION
Ergonomics is the science of economical use of human energy.


MOVEMENT CHANGES AFTER INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
Farmers changed to workers

Farmers used to do varied
movements throughout the year
like ploughing, sowing,cutting etc.

Nowadays workers do the same
movements throughout the year.

Even farmers are using
mechanized tools.


MOVEMENT CHANGES FROM WORKER TO ASSEMBLY LINE WORKER
Modern times depicts the worker making the
same movement every day thousands of
times.

Previously worker used to prepare one
product from start to finish.

Assembly line working kills the spirit of the worker. There is no sense of healthy pride or achievement. Only drudgery.


HOUSEWIVES’ FUNCTION
Excessive mechanization leading to comfort disorders like weight gain leading to hundred other
problems.

Buying rather than preparing food is the way for most of the people.

Mental irritability and spiritual emptiness is the result of buying food than preparing is common now.


HAND WASHING TO WASHING MACHINE
Women suffer the loss of movement.

Cleaning clothes by beating them used to give vent to pent up emotions, especially anger.

Inability to vent anger leads to various disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.


ERGONOMICS
Physical: Good Posture and Correct Movement
Breathing: Abdominal breathing
Mind: Alert and not agitated
Attitude: Here and now
Spirit: Eternal search


TYPES OF ERGONOMICS
Physical :Concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Psychological : Concerned with mental processes, such as perception, cognition, memory, reasoning and emotion, as they affect interactions amongst people and with products, systems and environments.
Organizational ergonomics: Concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes


WHAT IS DESIGN?
Arrangement of matter and space so that it is useful.




WHAT IS ART?
Aesthetic arrangement of matter and space which need not be “useful”. A flower.




ARTISTIC DESIGN
Aesthetic arrangement of matter and space which is extremely useful.




PREREQUISITS BEFORPREREQUISITS BEFORE DESIGNING
Movement analysis

Position analysis

Anthropological data analysis

Mental make up of the user

Cognitive capabilities of the user as in very young or very old people.


TYPES OF DESIGNS
Predominantly suitable or adaptable for anthropological characteristics.

Predominantly suitable for position of work.

Predominantly suitable for movement.

Ideally all three must be incorporated in any design.


ERGONOMIC DESIGN
Ergonomic design allows the body to use the equipment in the best way as far as energy is concerned.

As there are individuals of different anthropomorphic characteristics the ergonomic design has to be individualizable.

Comfortably cognizable.


THREE ASPECTS OF DESIGNING
Design itself .

Correct way of using that design.

In spite of ideal design and correct use the intensity or extent of use fatigues the body and hence corrective exercises are necessary.


USE OF AN OBJECT
Grip

Distance from the body

Weight

Surface

Size

Shape


USE OF MACHINE
Position of the worker, sitting or standing.

Duration of the work

Position of hands

Weight bearing joints

Pedal work if any

Perceptual hindrances for safety


WHAT PEOPLE ARWHAT ARE GOOD AT
Nebulous Information;

Subtle Decisions;

Vague Processes

Definitions;

Interactions With Other People

High Variety

Short Runs

Varied Cycle Times

Quick Change over Varied Inputs

Multiple Work Locations


WHAT MACHINES & COMPUTERS ARE GOOD AT
Simple Quantitative & Accurate Information

Simple Straight-Forward Decisions

High Volume High Precision

Heavy Loads/Large Forces

Sharply Defined Processes

No Customer Interfaces

Repetitive

Short Cycle times Long runs


WORK STATION
Functional

Comfortable

Safe

Individualized

Economic from energy expenditure point of view.


USE OF ERGONOMICS
Designing work stations that have the previously mentioned characteristics.

Advising people about working postures

Correcting the already damaged body through corrective exercises.

Designing information in an easily understandable fashion.

Designing work environment where light, sound levels and particulate matter is properly managed.

Designing protective gear for violent environments.


GENERAL ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLE
1.All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally comfortable and safe postures.

2. Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available.

3. Work activities should be performed without unease, discomfort and pain.

4.Work environment should be free of unhealthy exhausts, particles.


AIM OF ERGONOMICS
Optimum use of Human capabilities

Improving Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health and well being.

Individualization of work station.

Economization of energy use by adjusting the Intensity and Extent of work load, recovery time and nutritional requirements.


ERGONOMICS IN ARCHITECTURE
Anthropometry to understand who is using the structure.

Movement analysis to understand how is the space going to be utilized.

Postural analysis to understand the dimensions of the structure.

Psychology to understand perception of shapes and their effect on ordinary human beings.

All joint ranges should be used in a house at least once in a way.

Joint ranges which are ergonomically uneconomical should be avoided for utilizing strength but used to retain flexibility.

All structures should be individualized depending on the main user.


ERGONOMICS OF SITTING ROOM
Too large a room looses its coziness

Too small a room encroaches on each others space.

Unless specifically requested any sitting area where one has to bend knees more than 90 degrees is uncomfortable for aged.


ERGONOMICS OF KITCHEN
Kitchen platform should be as high as navel.

Working position should be elbows bent at right angles and hand as little away from the
body.

Sink should not be away and inaccessible.

Trolleys should be extremely smooth and light

No heavy object should be put away from the body or on the trolley.


ERGONOMICS OF BED ROOM
Tough and not hard bed.

Pillow the width of palm.

Sleeping on back; shoulders on the pillow.

Sleeping on the side; shoulder abutting the pillow.

Pillow firm and not compressible with weight of the head.


ERGONOMICS OF TOILETTES
A rope to get up from Indian Toilettes as the knee is in ergonomically unsuitable position.

Extremely rough surface of the floors should be mandatory.


BAD ENVIRONMENT
Heat, noise, vibrations, bright or dull lighting, bad smells, particulate matter or pollution in the External Environment.

Extremely stressed worker leading to poor internal environment.


GENERAL TIPS FOR STAIRCASE
Rough slope is always more suitable than staircase.

Flatter slope better slope, steeper the slope worse it is.


ARCHITECTURE OF PUBLIC PLACES
It must accommodate individual as well as general needs.

Individual space must not be sacrificed for profit motives.

Movement patterns must be analyzed and enough spaces provided for getting out.

Working architecture must be enshrined and nobody allowed to tamper with it.

It is common observation that doors provided by architects are kept closed to check entry permits.

Entry and exit doors are not designated properly.

Public entertainment place and place of work require different movement patterns and utilization of space.

Communist architecture was so imposing as to make common man feel small.

Monuments and places of work must look different as their impact on spirit is different.


USE OF ONE SPACE
Children will gather in corner and play.

Young men may utilize the whole space.

Old men may again use only one corner.


EFFICIENCY
It can be defined by the money spent versus product of high quality in large number in shortest possible time.

This kind of industrial efficiency totally disregards the well being of the worker who produces the product.

A balance is required between the two which is provided by sound ergonomics.


EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION
Organization which looks after the physical, mental and spiritual requirements of all individuals.

Provides avenues to maintain and improve their Health, Fitness and Performance.

Thrives by being strong enough, flexible enough to adapt to the changing environment in the long run.


WHO DECIDES RIGHT OR WRONG ?
If the one who uses the ergonomic ideas, designs, structures or objects is comfortable uring and after the work, in the long run, the idea, design , structure or object is ergonomically suitable to the person.


ERGONOMIC INJURIES
Acute injuries like lifting weight in wrong fashion.

Chronic injuries due to repetitive work like hitting a key board.


ERGONOMIC MISTAKES
Almost everything wrong




Monitor too low

Shoulder dropped





Load away from the body.

Knees not bent enough

Legs together

Back convex upwards

Shoulders not lifted


POSTURE
Posture is the arrangement of joints in space related to gravity.

There is nothing like posture in a Spaceship.

TRYING TO LOOK SCIENTIFIC
Except the eye level everything is wrong here.


POSTURAL DISORDERS
Spondylitis

Spondylosis

Slipped disc

Sciatica

Brachial neuralgia



BAD POSTURE
Bending forwards



WRONG POSTURE

The arrows show the inaccuracy.

Monitor is too low


WRONG EMPHASIS

Although the slide shows partially correct holding position the main point is missed.

The wrist should be slightly extended and shoulder lifted up.


Legs should be wider than shoulders

Shoulders lifted up


Shoulders should be lifted.



Keep the box higher and closer

Rotate hip forwards

Arch back downwards


Lift shoulders up

Go close to the object

REACH ZONES


No standardization

Functioning elbow position should be bent at 90 to 100 degrees, close to body and shoulder lifted up.


Head straight

Eye range without moving head

Shoulders lifted

SIMPLE ADVICE
Often, the remedy is a matter of properly arranging and adjusting existing tools and furniture, maintaining good posture and establishing breaks from repetitive tasks.

POSITION BEFORE A COMPUTER




RIDING A TWO WHEELER





LEGS WIDER THAN SHOULDERS ABDOMEN TOUCHING THE TABLE HIPS BACK

VERTEBRAL DISCS


Core of water.

Noncompressible.

COMPRESSIBILITY OF SPINE IN VARIOUS LOADS


PRESSURE CHANGES IN LUMBAR SPINE LEADING TO SO CALLED SLIPPED DISC


POSTURAL CORRECTION EXERCISES

BASIC HUMAN SCIENCES IN ERGONOMICS
Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology

Anthropometry, Biomechanics, Kinesiology.

AWARENESS
Awareness is continuous, simultaneous, nonjudgmental and total perception of internal and external environment.

RIGHT ACTION
Effortless Effort is the right action.

Happens out of Awareness.

Total awareness leads to absolutely right action.

BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
Sensations arise in the body.

Thoughts occupy the mind.

Emotions are related to spirit.

All three influence the ergonomic aspect of an organism.

PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS
Correct Posture

Optimum movements

Optimum recovery

Correct breathing

MENTAL ERGONOMICS


Be Aware Correct your breathing Digest these Emotions

SPIRITUAL ERGONOMICS
Correct attitude

Perpetual Search

Appreciating here and now.

SEXUAL ERGONOMICS
Intelligent Cooperation

It is the correct appreciation of strength and weaknesses of our partner and complimentarity of each others existence.

Amalgamation of these traits to enhance the energy content of the basic family unit. Continuously progressive fine tuning.

UNDERSTANDING THE BODY
Pain

Pleasure

Hunger

Thirst

Passing urine and faecal matter

Sleep

COMFORT AND DISCOMFORT
Excessive comfort can be counterproductive.

Discomfort is a sign of need of correction.

BODY


Continuously expands and contracts.

Continuously changes

Continuously reacts with external and internal environment.

All four elements continuously pass through after a brief stay.

BEGINING


Proportions change continuously till adulthood.

Only eyes retain their original size

DEVELOPMENT OF SPINE



FUNCTIONAL PLAN OF HUMAN BODY
Head : Perception, analysis, synthesis, commands, passage for air and food

Chest : Absorption of Oxygen, distribution of oxygen and various chemicals, release of carbon di oxide

Abdomen : Digestion, Absorption and Assimilation of food.

Spine : Central axis

Upper limb : Attack or defense

Lower limb : Mobility

HUMAN DESIGN


Axis which is flexible and extremely strong.

Lower extremity bones have weight bearing structure, thus stability.

Upper extremity has non weight bearing structure thus mobility.

HUMAN DESIGN 2
Human body constantly adapts to the stress given to it.

Human body is fragile and strong at the same time.

PROTECTION
Brain :Completely enclosed in a bone box

Heart and Lungs: Partially covered in a partially mobile bone box

Gastrointestinal tract : No protection of bones covered with completely mobile muscles.

BRAIN


Receives all sensations from the body.

Analyses the sensations

Synthesizes a response

Does not have own sensation.

VERTEBRAL COLUMN


Anatomically, the spine is an unstable structure without the active use of muscles.

It is strong and flexible at the same time.

Protects the spinal cord.

ARCHITECTURE OF BONES


Bones have a matrix of protein impregnated with calcium salts.

Continuously responds to compression and shear forces by rearranging the trabecular pattern.

Immediately looses calcium if loading is withdrawn as in space.

ARCHITECTURE OFBONES 2

Bones articulate with other bones.

These ends are covered with cartilages to prevent wear and tear.

BODY / MIND
Never separate

Two ends of the same organism; one tangible and other intangible.

FIVE SENSES
Smell

Taste

Vision

Touch

Hearing

SIXTH SENSE
Ability to perceive the position of joints in space.

TRAINING KINAESTHETIC SENSE
Objectively by mirror or by video

Subjectively by observing internal environment for unease, discomfort or pain.

HEALTH
Health is the ability to enjoy every moment of life without any cause.

FITNESS
Fitness is the enhancement of all motor functions and mental capacities.

ERGONOMIC FITNESS

Physical fit
Functional fit
Cognitive fit

PERFORMANCE
Performance is the total integration of mind and body functions in any given task for the equired period of time.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Strength

Speed

Flexibility

Endurance

Coordination

FUNCTION OF MOTOR CHARACTERISTICS
Strength to hold posture and make movement.

Flexibility for range of movements

Endurance to hold a posture or make a
movement for prolonged period of time.

Coordination for skilled work.

Speed allows more work in less time.

MUSCLES
Many types of skeletal muscles.

Work in groups.

Usually work in pairs called agonist and antagonist.

When one group contracts the other controls.

Fast, slow and intermediate fibers.

MUSCLES SPECIALTY
Biggest tissue in the body

Most important tissue as far as capacity to metabolism is concerned after liver.

Largest store of fuel

Responds to use and disuse extremely fast.

Least utilized tissue in Modern Times.

MUSCLE STRENGTH CURVE


BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE MUSCLE
f muscle is contracting at 15% of its strength at that angle then the blood supply is intact and muscle can use oxygen brought in by blood.

After 50% of muscle strength the blood vessels get compressed and now the energy liberation is anaerobic.

MUSCLE CONTRACTION
Muscle never contracts as a whole.

Muscle fibers work in relays.

As agonist contract the antagonist relaxes but ever ready to control the contraction.

If agonist contracts without producing perceptible joint movement the antagonist relaxes in direct proportion.

HUMAN ENERGY
ATP/PC

Glucose without oxygen

Glucose with oxygen

Fatty Acids

ENERGY CONTINUUM
0 to 3 seconds ATP/PC

3 to 30 seconds glucose without oxygen

30 sec to 30 min glucose with oxygen

30 min onwards fatty acids

At rest body uses fat to stay alive.

ENERGY LIBERATION



AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC
Energy liberation with the use of Oxygen is aerobic and without is anaerobic.

Body can shift from aerobic energy use to anaerobic use instantaneously.

Aerobic use is economical anaerobic use is profligate.

ENERGY EXPENDITURE
Movement specific

As efficiency increase, expenditure for the same movement reduces.

Normally one cal. per minute at rest.

Can increase up to twenty calories per minute.

Greatly influenced by mental state.

USE OF ENERGY
Energy is used to hold a posture or make a movement.

Energy is continuously used to stay alive.

Brain and heart continuously need energy in the form of glucose and oxygen.

ECONOMICS OF ENERGY
Inefficient use of energy leads to uneasiness, discomfort, pain. Finally results in injury

RECOVERY
Body’s ability to recoup energy during a period of rest or altered activity.

Usually glucose and oxygen are utilized to reconstitute ATP/PC.

LUNG CAPACITIES



RESPIRATION AT SEA LEVEL
15 to 20 per minute

500 cc air per breath

20 cc Oxygen used per breath

Partial pressure of Oxygen in air 140 mm Hg

Partial pressure in Blood 100 mm Hg

Partial pressure in cell 5 to 10 mmHg

HAEMODYNAMICS


Heart size 750 cc. Rate 72/min but varies.

Blood volume 5 liters

Blood pressure 120/80 but varies

Oxygen used per stroke 4 to 5 cc

Blood volume per stroke 40 cc

TAI CHI: SYMBOL OF THE UNIVERSE
Duality in Nonduality

Nonduality in duality

Male in female

Female in male

Day in night

Night in day

Drop in ocean

Ocean in a drop

FUTURE OF ERGONOMICS
Voice operated computers are coming. Thus computer operators need not sit before a computer. They can actually lie down and operate the computer.

Minimal energy expenditure by the human
body will produce more and more work.

People will have excessive leisure time.

This time should be actively utilized towards acquiring health fitness and performance.

Awareness is the key towards fruitful living. As the saying goes “Nobody wants to die but one
does not now what to do on a wet Sunday afternoon.”

Boredom can spiritually damage large populations.