1. Key Concepts Name (from the Greek) Terminology erg nomos
Ergonomics : the study and optimization of the interaction between people and their physical environment by considering their physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics.
Occupational ergonomics concerns the application of ergonomics principles specifically to the workplace and related tasks.
ergonomics vs human factors
Erg = “work”
Nomos = “laws”
together – “the science of work”
Ergonomics vs hf  in the US, ergo tends to refer to physical aspects only, while HF is the “umbrella” term for all aspects of interaction between humans and machines. In europe (and other parts of the world), these definitions are reversed!
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2. Your Turn …
Why is it important that engineers concern themselves with ergonomics? Consider in your response:
productivity
effectiveness
safety
ethics
others?
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3. History Wojciech Jastrzebowski (1857) Frederick Taylor (1911)
Frank & Lillian Gilbreth (1911)
Ralph Barnes (1933)
Wojciech Jastrzebowski created the word ergonomics in 1857
1911 – Frederick Taylor published “Scientific Management”, advocating the “one best way” to do a job.
At Bethlehem Steel, improved productivity and worker wages by matching the shovel with the type of material being moved
In 1911 Frank Gilbreth, an engineer and his wife, Lillian, a psychologist, published the book, "Motion Study"
improved bricklaying from 120 to 350 bricks per hour by improving methods
“therbligs” are the units of motion used in micromotion analysis
Ralph Barnes – first PhD IE in the US in 1933, wrote “Motion & Time Studies” (landmark text in the field) in 1937
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4. Productivity Definition: Examples: Personal productivity
1 : the quality or state of being productive [yielding results, benefits, or profits]; 2 : rate of production (Merriam-Webster Online,
general : ratio of output to input
Examples: Personal productivity
Examples: manufacturing/service productivity
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5. Benefits of Productivity
Personal Benefits (pp. 8-9 of your textbook)
Organizational Benefits
increased volume
decreased cost
improved services
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6. Components of Productivity
Improve productivity by:
land
better seed, fertilizer, insecticides, agricultural methods
materials
better materials, insulation, design
machines
scheduling, logistics, design
labor
work methods, selection, training, incentives
technology
tools, equipment, knowledge
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7. Working Smart vs Working Hard
working hard vs
smarter vs
vs … ?
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8. Working Smart and Working Hard
Reduce work content
Improve product design
Standardize
Appropriate quality standards
Reduce waste
Energy efficiency
Improve work methods
Improve tools and equipment
Proper management
More product
Attention to quality
Additional products/markets
Continuous improvement
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9. Role of Ergonomics & Work Measurement
Ergonomics & work design
improve safety, health, and wellbeing
increase efficiency and productivity
reduce cost
Work measurement (time study)
measure effectiveness
control cost
manufacturing plants with no time standards average 60% performance
manufacturing plants with time standards average 85% performance
manufacturing plants with incentive systems average 120% performance
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