Case+Studies+on+Ergonomics

** List the three definitions of 'ergonomics'. ** Ergonomics, also known as human factor, is defined as a "...scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimise human well being and overall system performance. (1)" To specifically address the needs of a person, ergonomics had been divided into three specializations known as Physical Ergonomics, Cognitive Ergonomics, and Organizational Ergonomics.

**Physical Ergonomics** addresses "...[the] human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. The relevant topics include working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health. (1)" **Cognitive Ergonomics** addresses "...[the] mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. The relevant topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design." **Organizational Ergonomics** addresses "...the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational structures, policies, and processes. The relevant topics include communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work paradigms, organisational culture, virtual organisations, telework, and quality management."   ** Choose one of the case studies, and add an additional recommendation to one of them in step two as 'advice'. **       <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">   //<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Case Study One: Computer Operator Issue**: Frequent user of a personal computer suffers from lower back, neck and right shoulder pain. // Step One: Task Analysis  //** //<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">After further consultation it was established that: // ** <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Step Two: Advice  ** <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(61, 174, 156);"> <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Additional Advice**: Obtain two gel wrist rests, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse. This would provide the user with more comfort while use the computer as well as reducing the strain on the wrists while operating the computer. <span style="color: rgb(61, 174, 156);"> <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * // <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * //   <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">"Frequent" meant up to 8 hours sitting at the computer per day.      //
 * //   <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Software package required use of the mouse nearly as often as the keyboard. Mouse was located on right hand side (RHS) of keyboard.      //
 * //   <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Telephone was used regularly. Tendency to cradle handset into the neck when checking information with the computer.      //
 * //   <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">User had a height adjustable chair and a fixed height desk. Chair had been adjusted to provide a comfortable keying posture.      //
 * //   <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">As User was relatively short, tended to rest feet on the 5 star base of the chair.      //
 * 1) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ensure frequent changes of posture occur e.g. stand up, walk around. Avoid sitting for prolonged periods. Frequent short breaks are better than longer breaks taken less often.      //
 * 2) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Train to use the mouse with both hands on the LHS and RHS of the keyboard. In preference, use the "hot keys" on the keyboard as an alternative to frequent use of the mouse.      //
 * 3) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Obtain a telephone headset from the telephone supplier for use on prolonged calls or when interaction is required with the computer.      //
 * 4) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Obtain a foot-rest or equivalent under the desk to stabilise the feet. They should be supported in front of the knee line to enable the back muscles to relax into the chair backrest.      //
 * 5) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Use the backrest angle lever on the chair frequently during the day to suit the activity. For example, when talking on the phone, angle the backrest into a reclined position. Frequent changes of posture are needed to engage a range of muscle groups.      //
 * 6) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Practice some "passive exercises" i.e. gentle stretches of those muscles that feel tired.      //
 * 7) //    <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Relax! Muscle pain can result from feeling stressed and tense. Identify aspects of the job that may cause muscle tension and discuss strategies to address these issues.      //

<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Find an example of a product which is ergonomically sound, and add a link to an article about this product.** <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">

<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">// A unique mouse that resembles a joystick used for gaming but it is also ergonomic for the mouse/joystick user. __ 3M Renaissance Ergonomic Mouse __// //-// http://www.fentek-ind.com/3m-mouse.htm  <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">

<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">(1) http://www.ergonomics.org.au/ergonomics/definitions.html