The Ergonomics Research Society THE SOCIETY'S LECTURE, 1974* The Borderland of Anatomy and Ergonomics

A survey of The status of ergonomics in Poland was conducted over a three week period during July 1978 under the sponsorship of the National Academy of Sciences scientific exchange programme. Ergonomic activities were reviewed in Warsaw and Cracow by means of a series of visits to academic and research institutions. Among the organizations contacted were: the Institute of Industrial Design, the Polish Psychological Association, the Institute of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow and The Institute of Psychology associated with the Jagiellonian University. Based on interviews with prominent scientists in the forefront of ergonomic activities, the report provides a review of the historical development of ergonomics, the composition of the ergonomics community, current research interests and applications, and anticipated future trends. The Poles claim credit for having coined the term Ergonomics in 1857. They are proud to have formed the first Ergonomics Society in the Eastern European bloc of nations. Its current membership totals over 400 and they look forward to hosting the 1979 International Ergonomics Association meeting in Warsaw. There are only about 100 engineering psychologists in Poland. Engineers and physiologists or physicians tend to dominate the ergonomics field. There appears to be strong support for this emerging discipline from the State and industrial enterprises and ergonomics can be expected to become increasingly more important in Poland.     

传统民族文化在现代设计中的应用——以中国画为例

现代设计基于现代社会、现代生活,是一种以现代主义的理念贯穿整个设计过程的设计活动,它受到现代市场、人体工学、心理学的约束,具有高度实用性及商业性。现如今,从动漫设计、平面设计、工业设计、建筑设计到其他各类设计领域,中国传统文化越来越多地被应用,由此设计出的作品也越来越受到世界的重视。民族的就是世界的,2008年北京奥运会中的种种设计就是一个运用中国传统文化的成功案例,让世界看到了中国文化的魅力。     

Developing national ergonomics standards for Thai industry

This paper reports activities initiated by the Thai Government and its Technical Committee on Ergonomics Standards (TC 887) to develop national ergonomics standards for Thai industry. The main objective is to promote ergonomics practice by disseminating recommended ergonomics principles and applications to various industries so that employers and/or management become aware of essential design concepts and work methods that help to improve workplace conditions and enhance workers’ safety. Initially, the paper discusses the history of ergonomics in Thailand and its progress during the past 30 years. Ergonomics research activities and industrial projects that have been conducted are also summarized. Government activities to develop national ergonomics standards are then described in detail. Steps already taken to achieve such goals include participating as a P-member of the ISO/TC 159, conducting national surveys on ergonomics education and ergonomics specialists, and drafting ergonomics standards.

Relevance to industry

It has been well recognized in developed countries that ergonomics principles help to increase workers’ productivity and enhance workplace safety. For industrially developing countries such as Thailand in which ergonomics is not well known, it is essential that national ergonomics standards be developed and disseminated to employers and/or management. Furthermore, national standards need to be compatible with international standards to allow Thai manufacturing companies to be competitive in international markets.     

Industrial ergonomics at Birmingham

The Industrial Ergonomics group at the University of Birmingham have the benefit of working with technologists, operational researchers, accountants and management specialists in the inter-disciplinary Department of Engineering Production. The unique opportunities provided by this mixture have been utilised to develop an approach to industrial problems and professional training infused by more than ergonomics expertise. Some of the activities in teaching and research of this group are described below.     

The application of ergonomics in rural development: a review

The importance of ergonomics issues in rural development is highlighted in this paper. Some examples are given of the contribution that ergonomics has already made to industrially developing countries, cases which are mainly concentrated in the industrial sector. Key areas for future ergonomics research are identified, focusing on the needs of communities living and working in the agricultural sector where most of the population in the industrially developing world is located.     

From industrial safety to corporate health management

Occupational health and safety is one of the most important topics of ergonomics. In many countries the practical issues are addressed in worker protection laws or rules and most companies have some sort of occupational health and safety system. As with many other ergonomics approaches, such activities are often necessary because of legal requirements. Such efforts are often viewed by management as primarily cost intensive. To change this image, it would be helpful to have a more positive, management-oriented approach. Corporate health management as a module of an integrated management system can fulfil this goal.     

From industrial safety to corporate health management

Occupational health and safety is one of the most important topics of ergonomics. In many countries the practical issues are addressed in worker protection laws or rules and most companies have some sort of occupational health and safety system. As with many other ergonomics approaches, such activities are often necessary because of legal requirements. Such efforts are often viewed by management as primarily cost intensive. To change this image, it would be helpful to have a more positive, management-oriented approach. Corporate health management as a module of an integrated management system can fulfil this goal.     

Measurement of management efforts with respect to integration of quality,safety, and ergonomics issues in manufacturing industry

The main objective of this study was to identify critical factors that measure management efforts with regard to quality, safety, and ergonomics issues for their simultaneous improvement. Eleven identified management activity areas have been synthesized from the literature as the most important areas that meet all stakeholders' needs. Factors were then developed to measure the efficiency of these activities through a questionnaire. The overall response rate of the survey questionnaire was 47%. The reliability coefficients ranging from 0.73 to 0.85 indicated that some scales or management activity areas are more reliable in measuring potential for improvements in terms of quality, ergonomics, safety, and efficiency. The proposed instrument for quantifying management efforts with respect to simultaneous improvements in the areas of quality, ergonomics, and safety was found to be valid and reliable. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 15: 213–232, 2005.     

‘1966 and all that’: Trends and developments in UK ergonomics during the 1960s

The 1960s represents a key decade in the expansion of ergonomics within the UK. This paper reviews trends and developments that emerged out of the 1960s and compares these with ergonomics research and practice today. The focus in particular is on the expansion of ergonomics as a discipline within industry, as well as more specific topics, such as the emergence of areas of interest, for example, computers and technology, automation and systems ergonomics and consumer ergonomics. The account is illustrated with a detailed timeline of developments, a set of industrial case studies and the contents of important publications during the decade. A key aim of the paper is to provide the opportunity to reflect on the past and the implications this may have for future directions for ergonomics within the UK.

The paper provides practitioners with an insight into the development of ergonomics in the UK during one of the most important decades of its history. This is especially relevant given the fact that in 2009 the Ergonomics Society celebrates its 60th anniversary.     

The effect of improved workplace design on the development of work-related musculo-skeletal illnesses

An earlier paper (Westgaard and Aaras, 1984) described the work environment and the health situation of production workers at a small Norwegian factory, prior to an extensive ergonomics effort which primarily aimed to reduce static muscle strain by constructing new workplaces. It was concluded that the old work situation significantly contributed to a high level it musculo-skeletal disorders, most likely because the old work situation made it necessary to work with high level of muscle load for long periods of the working day. This second paper concerns the other important query which initiated Have the extensive ergonomics and environmental efforts at this factory had any effect in terms of improved health of the workers? The factory, the old workplaces and the ergonomics adaptations were described in the preceding paper, and are therefore not included here.     

一个面向维修工程的虚拟人素分析系统软件框架

在工业产品、武器装备的维修性设计中，用虚拟现实技术进行人素分析，可以有效地提高产品的可维修性。该文提出了一个虚拟人素分析软件框架，并在此基础上，基于虚拟人平台—Jack，设计实现了一个虚拟人素分析系统。该系统根据给定的虚拟人体模型和虚拟样机进行人素分析并产生人素分析报告。该软件实现了维修仿真过程建模，以及基于维修仿真过程的人素分析功能，给用户提供了一个高效的分析环境。软件系统的应用实例研究表明，该文提出的软件框架是合理有效的。     

Observing working postures in industry: Examples of OWAS application

A practical method for identifying and evaluating poor working postures, ie the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System (OWAS), was presented in an earlier paper (Karhu et al, 1977). The application of the method is here described by means of two examples. One is a case study undertaken by members of an ergonomics training course, in which a marked improvement in working posture was achieved by OWAS analysis of critical activities. The second illustrates the effect of setting up a multidisciplinary group in order to develop an alternative method for the installation and maintenance of steel mill equipment. In both examples, application of the OWAS method led to improved posture in the situations studied, and to the likelihood of its wider industrial use.     

Control Strategies of Experienced and Novice Controllers with a Zero-Energy Nuclear Reactor

The objective of this paper is to describe how and why ergonomics should be promoted in total quality management (TQM). Ergonomics and TQM activities are compared. An approach is proposed to apply ergonomics in TQM using ergonomics circles. An eight-step approach is introduced for applying ergonomics using ergonomics circles and a study that employed this approach in Korea is discussed. In applying this approach, all processes were first evaluated by workers. Processes that were identified as problematic were analysed by a company-wide committee to set priorities for improvement. An ergonomics improvement team consisting of safety and health personnel, process engineers and management innovation personnel then worked on the processes using a low-cost approach. It was found that applying ergonomics using ergonomics circles as quality circles in TQM was effective in improving workplaces and resulted in increasing productivity, cost saving and improved safety.     

Human factors in industrial systems: 40 years on

OBJECTIVE: I evaluate the contribution of a pioneering Human Factors special issue on human factors in industrial systems. BACKGROUND: Papers on the content of the journal's first 10 years showed that industrial human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) in 1969 was quite a rarity in the journal and the society. METHOD: The 12 papers in the special issue are reviewed briefly and show a wide range of topics, including traditional industrial engineering, physical HF/E, and more mainstream applications of HF/E in this domain similar to those in military and aerospace domains. The evaluation is through citations, later journal content, society technical group membership, and specific influences of Harris's own paper in the issue. RESULTS: The expected direct citation influence of this special issue was not found: Citation counts were in line with all papers in Human Factors. However, other journals have been founded in North America that serve industrial HF/E and provide an outlet for more papers per year than Human Factors. In addition, the industrial domain is well represented in the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Finally, Harris's paper has been influential in the specific area of HF/E in inspection. CONCLUSIONS: Industrial HF/E is now more accepted within the HF/E community, although largely in the physical ergonomics subspecialty. APPLICATION: There is now evidence of use of HF/E techniques more broadly in industry, including service as well manufacturing enterprises.     

The ergonomics of open-fronted C-frame presses

This study comprised three phases: an industrial survey of press design and operation; a shopfloor evaluation of performance with a modified press and its comparison with the original design; and a laboratory simulation of the effects of three of the most pertinent ergonomics design factors. The survey showed that many features of press design were in disagreement with ergonomics criteria, often markedly so, and that these presented potentially important limitations to performance. The modified press layout produced evidence of superior performance in comparison with the original layout and this was substantiated by the simulation particularly in terms of the reach required to the die.     

Do you believe in the advantage of expert systems in industrial ergonomics?

Reasons for reservations about accepting the recommendations of industrial ergonomics are first explored. A knowledge deficiency is ascertained which results in a general dependency on ergonomic experts. The experts, however, are rarely able to communicate their knowledge in a form applicable by a practitioner. The development and employment of expert systems suitable for use in work design problems are proposed to resolve this dilemma. The question of whether an interest in expert systems for industrial ergonomics can be assumed is considered. The necessary conditions for the successful development and introduction of expert systems for industrial ergonomics are derived. The extent to which currently available expert system technology can support the typical procedures in industrial ergonomics is subsequently examined.     

Ergonomics in total quality management: how can we sell ergonomics to management?

The objective of this paper is to describe how and why ergonomics should be promoted in total quality management (TQM). Ergonomics and TQM activities are compared. An approach is proposed to apply ergonomics in TQM using ergonomics circles. An eight-step approach is introduced for applying ergonomics using ergonomics circles and a study that employed this approach in Korea is discussed. In applying this approach, all processes were first evaluated by workers. Processes that were identified as problematic were analysed by a company-wide committee to set priorities for improvement. An ergonomics improvement team consisting of safety and health personnel, process engineers and management innovation personnel then worked on the processes using a low-cost approach. It was found that applying ergonomics using ergonomics circles as quality circles in TQM was effective in improving workplaces and resulted in increasing productivity, cost saving and improved safety.     

Ergonomics solution for crossing collisions based on field assessment of visual environment at urban intersections in Japan

This paper aims to assess quantitatively the actual visual environment of uncontrolled urban downtown intersections in Japan in relation to frequently occurring crossing collisions and to discuss the safety countermeasures for them. In Field Study 1 dealing with direct visibility, our ultra-wide-angle photograph analysis revealed that most of the right/left-ward visible range at 11 intersections were insufficient to check safety, and the quality of direct visibility was closely associated with causing crossing collisions. The countermeasures to reduce a blind area were determined to be a top priority. In Field Study 2 dealing with indirect visibility, more than half of the 25 traffic convex mirrors had marked shortcomings for preventive safety, and ergonomics guidelines ensuring indirect visibility were proposed for installing traffic convex mirrors. Low-cost/low-technology-oriented countermeasures are highly recommended to obtain clear/sufficient images of crucial information satisfying drivers' requirements on traffic convex mirrors in accordance with those ergonomics guidelines was highly recommended. Crossing collisions could be prevented by improvement of poor direct and indirect visibility.     

The development of computer‐based tools to support ergonomics in design education and practice

Abstract

Ergonomics is not always used effectively by practising designers, and is still seen as limiting their creativity. Reasons for this include: ergonomics information is not presented in a readily assimilated form to designers during their design education and later design activities; design decisions relating to ergonomics issues are not addressed and discussed systematically by all members of the design team during concept design; the user centred approach that ergonomics encourages in design is not always included as part of the education of future designers.

With computers being used more widely in design and design education, they could be used to deliver ergonomics information and help structure discussion of ergonomics issues amongst the design team from the earliest stages of design. This paper describes findings relating to the use of ergonomics in automotive design, and proposes two tools which could enhance the use of ergonomics in design education and in current and future design practice.     

Green ergonomics: definition and scope

This paper demonstrates that the goals of ergonomics (i.e. effectiveness, efficiency, health, safety and usability) are closely aligned with the goals of design for environmental sustainability. In this paper, the term ‘green ergonomics’ is conceptualised to specifically describe ergonomics interventions with a pro-nature emphasis. Green ergonomics is focused on the bi-directional connections between human systems and nature. This involves looking at (1) how ergonomics design and evaluation might be used to conserve, preserve, and restore nature and (2) how ecosystem services might be harnessed to facilitate the improved wellbeing and effectiveness of human systems. The paper proposes the scope of green ergonomics based on these bi-directional relationships in the areas of the design of low resource systems and products, the design of green jobs, and the design for behaviour change. Suggestions for further work in the green ergonomics domain are also made.

Practitioner Summary: Given the enormous environmental challenges facing modern industrial society, this paper encourages ergonomics science to embrace a pro-nature understanding of work design and research. This paper sets out the role for green ergonomics based on an appreciation of the human–nature connections that have been integrated with our understanding of ergonomics science and practice.