19/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 1Applied IndustrialErgonomics (IE 665)Arijit Sengupta, Ph.D.New Jersey Institute of Technology9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 2Ergonomics"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 (IEA) Executive Council 20009/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 3Ergonomics: Foundations• Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714) founder of occupational/ industrial medicine.• Studied occupational diseases and advocated workplace inspection a necessary tool for discovering causes of the diseases, for preventing diseases and preventing them. • Encouraged eventual passage of factory safety and workmen’s compensation laws.• In 1700 he wrote De morbis artificumdiatriba (Diseases of Workers) in Latin describing the health hazards of repetitive motions and postures, irritating chemicals, dust, metals, and other abrasive agents for workers in 52 occupations.9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 4Late 1800s / Early 1900s: The Industrial Revolution• Frank and Lillian Gilbreth• study of human motion and workplace management• skilled performance, fatigue, workstations &equipment for physically disabled• surgical teams study - improved efficiency by suggesting new protocol: surgeons should call forinstrument which is placed in extended hand by nurse• forerunners of “ human factors” researchHistory of “Human Factors” in Design9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 5The Best Way to Lift Bricks• Frank and Lillian Gilbreth: “…to lift 90 pounds of brick at a time is most advantageous physiologically as well as economically …”Bricks/Lift 1 18 24Weight/Lift (lbs) 5 90 120Work/hour (kCal) 520 285 450Bricks/Hour 250 600 300History of “Human Factors” in DesignOptimal Procedure9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 61900-1945: Workplace was “Task Oriented”• people adapted to the task and equipment. • tests were developed for better worker selection and training.•“ Efficiency gap” called for a paradigm shift by fitting job/tools to the person.History of “Human Factors” in Design29/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 71945-1960: “Human Factors”Profession was born •first engineering psychology labs were established in US & Britain•first ‘Ergonomics Research Society’ was formed in Britain•first scientific journal in 1957 –‘Ergonomics’•International Ergonomics Society launched in 1959.History of “Human Factors” in Design9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 81960-1980: Rapid Growth• Initially human factors research was limited to military• Interest and need fed by “Race for Space”• Expansion beyond military and space research to industryand workplace (e.g. computers, automobiles, and otherconsumer products)History of “Human Factors” in Design9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 91980-Today: Computers, Disasters, & Lawsuits• Computers - desire for “ people-oriented” technology grew through ergonomically designed computers, user-friendly software, and office design• Disasters – Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and various high-profile chemical plant explosions were linked to lack of attention to “human factor” considerations• Lawsuits – courts came to recognize the need for experts in explaining human behaviour, responses, defective design, and effectiveness of workplace warnings and instructions History of “Human Factors” in Design9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 10• Humans Factors Engineering• Human Engineering• Engineering Psychology• Applied Experimental Psychology• Occupational PsychologyAlternative Names of Ergonomics9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 11Ergonomics/Human Factors• Ergonomics (European) and Human Factors (US) basically are the same disciplines.• Ergonomics is the ‘science of work’, from ‘ergon’or ‘ergos’ (Greek – work) and ‘nomos’or ‘nomikos’ (Greek – laws).• Ergonomics is multidisciplinary and uses multiple methods.• Ergonomics is user focused• If it doesn’t affect design in some way, it isn’t ergonomics.9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 12Concerns the application of ergonomics principles specifically to the workplace and related tasks.Occupational Ergonomics39/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 131. NOT just applying “ universal”checklists and guidelines blindly.2. NOT using oneself as the model for design, since there is diversity and variations3. NOT just using common sense, since the decision must be based on real data and informationWhat Ergonomics is NOT9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 141. User Orientation: Design and application of tools, procedures, and systems must be user-oriented, rather than just “task ”oriented2. Diversity: Recognition of diversity in human capabilities and limitations, rather than “stereotyping” workers/users3. Effect on Humans: Tools, procedures, and systems are not “inert”, but do influence human behaviour and well-beingSix Pillars of Ergonomic Design9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 154. Objective Data: Empirical information and evaluation is key in design process, rather than just use of “common sense”5. Scientific Method: test and retest hypothesis with real data, rather than “anecdotal” evidenceor “good estimates”6. Systems: object, procedures, environments, and people are interconnected, affect one another, and do not exist in “isolation”Six Pillars (continued)9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 16Ergonomics – Physical Design• Who are the users?• How does technology fit different user dimensions?• How does technology fit user anatomy?• How does technology fit user strength?• How does technology fit different user abilities? • How safe is the technology (health, comfort, performance)?• How do users interact with technology?9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 17Ergonomics – Cognitive design• How do users expect the technology to work?• How is information displayed?• How well are stereotypical expectations met?• How complex is the interface?• How much training is required?• What user knowledge assumptions are met?• How does information facilitate learning and memory?9/2/2010 Dr. A. K. Sengupta 18Ergonomics - Layout• Are the work items optimally positioned in terms of comfort, convenience, and frequency of use?• How well does the