Introduction to Ergonomics, Second Edition
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Summary
When faced with productivity problems in the workplace, engineers might call for better machines, and management might call for better-trained people, but ergonomists call for a better interface and better interaction between the user and the machine.
Introduction to Ergonomics, 2nd Edition, provides a comprehensive introduction to ergonomics as the study of the relationship between people and their working environment. The author presents evidence from field trials, studies and experiments that demonstrate the value of ergonomics in making the workplace safer, more error resistant, and compatible with users' characteristics and psychological and social needs. Evidence for the effectiveness of each topic is incorporated throughout the book as well, which helps practitioners to make the case for company investment in ergonomics. In addition, the author outlines international standards for ergonomics that influence engineering and design and pave the way for a more precise form of practice.
Extensively revised and updated, this second edition explains the main areas of application, the science that underpins these applications, and demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of implementing the applications in a wide variety of work settings.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
The Focus of Ergonomics
Ergonomics and its Areas of Application in the Work System
A Brief History of Ergonomics
Attempts to 'Humanise' Work
Modern Ergonomics
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Future Directions for Ergonomics
Summary
Essays and Exercises
ANATOMY, POSTURE AND BODY MECHANICS
Some Basic Body Mechanics
Anatomy of the Spine and Pelvis Related to Posture
Postural Stability and Postural Adaptation
Low Back Pain
Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace
Behavioural Aspects of Posture
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
ANTHROPOMETRIC PRINCIPLES IN WORSPACE AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN
Designing for a Population of Users
Sources of Human Variability
Anthropometry and its Uses in Ergonomics
Principles of Applied Anthropometry in Ergonomics
Application of Anthropometry in Design
Design for Everyone
Anthropometry and Personal Space
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
STATIC WORK: DESIGN FOR STANDING AND SEATED WORKERS
Fundamental Aspects of Standing and Sitting
An Ergonomic Approach to Workstation Design
Design for Standing Workers
Design for Seated Workers
Worksurface Design
Visual Display Units
Guidelines for the Design of Static Work
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
DESIGN OF REPETITIVE TASKS
Introduction to Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Injuries to the Upper Body at Work
Review of Tissue Pathomechanics and WMSDs
Disorders of the Neck
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tennis Elbow (epidondylitis)
Disorders of the Shoulder
Lower Limbs
Ergonomic Interventions
Trends in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
DESIGN OF MANUAL HANDLING TASKS
Anatomy and Biomechanics of Manual Handling
Prevention of Manual Handling Injuries in the Workplace
Design of Manual Handling Tasks
Carrying
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
WORK CAPACITY, STRESS AND FATIGUE
Stress and Fatigue
Muscles, Structure, Function and Capacity
The Cardiovascular System,
The Respiratory System,
Physical Work Capacity
Factors Affecting Work Capacity
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF PHYSIOLOGY
Measurement of the Physiological Cost of Work
Applied Physiology in the Workplace
Fitness for Work
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
HEAT, COLD AND THE DESIGN OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Fundamentals of Human Thermoregulation
Measuring the Thermal Environmnet
Thermoregulatory Mechanisms
Work in Hot Climates
Work in Cold Climates
Skin Temperature
Protection Against Extreme Climates
Comfort and the Indoor Climate
ISO Standards
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
VISION, LIGHT AND LIGHTING
Vision and the Eye
Measurement of Light
Lighting Design Considerations
Visiual Fatigue, Eyestrain and Near Work
Psychological Aspects of Indoor Lighting
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
HEARING, SOUND, NOISE AND VIBRATION
Terminology
The Ear
Measurement of Sound
Ear Protection
Design of the Acoustic Environment
Industrial Noise Control
Noise and Communication
The Auditory Environment Outdoors
Effects of Noise on Task Performance
Non-auditory Effects of Noise on Health
Noise and Satisfaction
Vibration
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING, SKILL AND PERFORMANCE
A General Information Processing Model of the User
Cognitive Systems
Problem Solving
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
DISPLAYS, CONTROLS AND VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS
Principles for the Design of Visual Desplays
Auditory Displays
Design of controls
Combining Displays and Controls
Virtual ('synthetic') Environments
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION, MEMORY AND LANGUAGE
Human-centred Design Processes for Interactive Systems
Designing Informaiton in External Memory Stores
Human-computer Dialogues
Memory and Language in Everyday Life
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION, HUMAN ERROR AND SAFETY
Human Error and dEquipment Design
Mental Workload in Human Machine Interaction
Psychological Aspects of Human Error
Characterising Human-Machine Interaction
GOMS
Prevention of Error in Human-Machine Interaction
Accidents and Safety
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Issues
Summary
Essays and Exercises
SYSTEM DESIGN: ORGANISATIONAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
Systems Design Methods for Ergonomics
Organisational Aspects: Some Macroergonomic Examples
Psychosocial Factors
Litigation
Cross-cultural Considerations
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness
Research Directions
Summary
Essays and Exercises
FURTHER READING
REFERENCES
INDEX
Editorial Reviews
"… well written and full of up-to-date examples and analogies. … [It] has a good mixture of basic and more detailed information that can be used as reference material. … It is a very good teaching aid … . The suggested essays and exercises … are invaluable and will help the novice to think in an applied manner. All in all, I would recommend this book to all wannabe ergonomists."
- Ergonomics, Vol. 47, Issue 11, 2004
