Indians and Ergonomics

Hello all!

Let me introduce you to the term ERGONOMICS.
The word "Ergonomics" comes from two Greek words "ergon", meaning work, and "nomos" meaning "laws". Today, however, the word is used to describe the science of "designing the environment to fit the person, not forcing the person to fit the environment."


Basic ergonomic principles

It is generally most effective to examine work conditions on a case-by-case basis when applying ergonomic principles to solve or prevent problems. Sometimes even minor ergonomic changes in the design of equipment, workstations or job tasks can make significant improvements in worker comfort, health, safety and productivity. The following are a few examples of ergonomic changes which, if implemented, can result in significant improvements:

• For assembly jobs, material should be placed in a position such that the worker's strongest muscles do most of the work.
• For detailed work which involves close inspection of the materials, the workbench should be lower than for work which is heavy.
• Hand tools that cause discomfort or injury should be modified or replaced. Workers are often the best source of ideas on ways to improve a tool to make using it more comfortable. For example, pliers can be either straight or bent, depending on the need.
• A task should not require workers to stay in awkward positions, such as reaching, bending, or hunching over for long periods of time.
• Standing work should be minimized, since it is often less tiring to do a job sitting than standing.
• Workers and equipment should be positioned so that workers can perform their jobs with their upper arms at their sides and with their wrists straight.

Some of these principles can be taught to our students for when they do practical work, so as to increase efficiency. For more details you can visit this website:

http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/kitchen.ergonomic.htm

Here is a video that displays ergonomics in function:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egltg4kW06Q&feature=related