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Satyam Garg (0722913041)Satyam Garg (0722913041)Nikhil Chaudhary(0722913023)Nikhil Chaudhary(0722913023)

Vibhu Agarwal(0722913055)Vibhu Agarwal(0722913055)

Cognitive Ergonomics 2

Cognitive ergonomics studies cognition in work settings, in order to optimize human well-being and system performance. It is a subset of the larger field of human factors and ergonomics.

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The definition of the field

A multidisciplinary science that seeks to conform the

workplace and all of its physiological aspects to the worker

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Ergonomics = human engineering = human factors

Ergonomics = the science of fitting the job to the worker

Domains of ergonomics

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International Ergonomics Association:

Physical ergonomicshuman anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as

they relate to physical activity(working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work related

musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health.)

Cognitive ergonomics: mental processessuch as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions

among humans and other elements of a system (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: the optimization of sociotechnical systemsincluding their organizational structures, policies, and processes

(communication, crew resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work

paradigms, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management.)

The “role” of ergonomics in OSHErgonomics

Better workplaces and workprocesses

Minimizing the work-related stress and fatigue

Reduces the possibility of human error andwrong decisions

Contributes to the prevention of workplaceaccidents and industrial accidents

Prevents occupational diseases, first of all,muscular-skeletal disorders (MSDs)

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Prevention of injuries and diseases

The “traditional” application

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Workplace design and work organisation

Muscular-skeletal disorders (MSDs)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

Percentage

Musculoskeletal disorders, 52%

Stress depression, anxiety, 18%

Lung disorders, 8%

Cardiovascular disorders, 4%

Headaches, visual fatigue, 3%

Hearing disorders, 3%

Infectious diseases, 3%

Skin problems, 3%

Other, 6%

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Work related heath problems by diagnosis group (EU-15, 1999)

Economic costs of MSDs

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The situation in Europe

Although precise figures do not exist, estimates from Member States of the economic costs of all work related ill-health range from 2,6 to 3,8% of GDP.

A high proportion - maybe up to 40-50% - of the costs will be for musculoskeletal disorders.

Available cost estimates of MSD put the cost at between 0,5% and 2% of GDP.

More than 600 million working days are lost due to work related ill-health each year in Europe.

The costs to European business include: lost production; staff sickness, compensation and insurance costs; losing experienced staff and costs of recruiting and training new ones; effect of discomfort or ill health on the quality of work of employees.

Dealing with MSDs 1/10

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What is MSD? An “umbrella term”

Work-related MSDs are impairments of bodily structures (muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones, and the localised blood circulation system), which are caused or aggravated primarily by work and by effects of work environment.

Most MSDs are cumulative disorders, resulting from repeated exposure to high or low intensity loads over a long period of time. However, MSDs can also be acute traumas, such as fractures, which occur during an accident.

Dealing with MSDs 2/10

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Factors contributing to the development of MSDs (1/3)

Physical factors:

Force application, e.g. lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, use of tools Repetition of movements Awkward and static postures, e.g. with hands above shoulder level,

or prolonged standing and sitting Local compression of tools and surfaces Vibration Cold or excessive heat Poor lighting, e.g. can cause an accident High noise levels, e.g. causing the body to tense

Dealing with MSDs 3/10

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Factors contributing to the development of MSDs (2/3)

Organisational and psychosocial factors:

Demanding work, lack of control over the tasks performed, and low levels of autonomy

Low levels of job satisfaction Repetitive, monotonous work, at a high pace Lack of support from colleagues, supervisors and managers

Dealing with MSDs 4/10

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Factors contributing to the development of MSDs (3/3)

Individual factors:

Prior medical history Physical capacity Age Obesity Smoking

Dealing with MSDs 5/10

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European prevention approach

1. Avoid MSD risks & evaluate MSD risks which can not be avoided

2. Combat the MSD risks at source

3. Adapt the work to the individual, especially the design of workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate and to reduce their effect on health

4. Adapt to technical progress

5. Replace the dangerous by the non-dangerous or less dangerous

6. Develop a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors related to the working environment

7. Give collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures

8. Give appropriate instructions to workers

Dealing with MSDs 6/10

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Example 1: solutions to manual handling risks

Lifting cast parts before and after the introduction of lifting/tipping containers

Dealing with MSDs 7/10

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Example 2: work at a pharmaceutical plant

Before and after adjustments were made to a workstation

Dealing with MSDs 8/10

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Example 3: operator at assembly line for transformers

Before - working with raised arm and elevated shoulder

After - automated conveyor of adjustable height

Dealing with MSDs 9/10

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Example 4: awkward work posture in construction

A special device introduced to protect knees. The device also functions as a stool

Dealing with MSDs 10/10

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Example 5: manoeuvring trolley

Altering the handle height on this trolley improves posture andreduces effort required to push it

The “role” of ergonomics in OSHErgonomics

Better workplaces and workprocesses

Minimizing the work-related stress and fatigue

Reduces the possibility of human error andwrong decisions

Contributes to the prevention of workplaceaccidents and industrial accidents

Prevents occupational diseases, first of all,muscular-skeletal disorders (MSDs)

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Prevention of accidents

Control room ergonomics 1/3

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The origin of the problem

The control room at Västerås old power plant (around 1920)

Control room ergonomics 2/3

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Increasing amount of information

Control room ergonomics 3/3

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Concentrating the operator’s information

Cube display wall

To end of part eleven

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