Defined as the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs, ergonomics aims to increase efficiency and productivity and reduce discomfort. It is also concerned with movement throughout the day and in reducing the health effects of sedentary behaviour. Therefore, safety personnel have to be able to identify and mitigate for unsafe ergonomic conditions, such as bad posture while working on a laptop. Ergonomics looks at what kind of work you do, what tools you use and your whole job environment. The aim is to find the best fit between you and your job conditions. Thus, ergonomics is about designing for people.
Learning Outcomes:
· Use the ergonomic principles to identify poor work conditions at the workplace
· Know the right lifting postures for manual handling
· Draft and implement the health and safety plan
Duration:
3 weeks
Teaching Methods:
Modified lecture, presentations, field practical and demonstrations, individual/group assignments.
Assessment:
Continuous assignments/practicals [40%], and final examination [60%].
Course Content:
· Introduction to Ergonomics; Definition, History, Principles and aims of Ergonomics, Ergonomic Triad (Task, Worker, Environment)
· Ergonomic Risk Factors and Control measures
· Main Injuries from Manual Handling, Assessing of Risk from Manual Handling Operations, Control of manual handling risks
· Application of Ergonomic Principles in the Design of Tools, Equipment and Working Environment.
· Use of Display Screen Equipment,
· Assessing of Risk from Working with VDU:
· Environmental & Psycho-social Factors; Work Organization, Night Work and Shift Work, Fatigue and Boredom.
· Ergonomic requirements for people with special needs
Study Materials:
1. Carayon, P. 2017. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care and Patient Safety
2. Gatchel, R. 2014. Handbook of Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Disorders in the Workplace.
3. Goonetillke, R.S. 2012. The Science of Footwear
4. Hedge, A. 2016. Ergonomic Workplace Design for Health, Wellness and Productivity.
5. Lehto, M.R. & Landy, S.J. 2012. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers
6. McKeown, C. 2014. Ergonomics in Action: A practical Guide for the Workplace.
7. Salvendy, G. 2012. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics.
8. Shorrock, S. & Williams, C. 2016. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Practice: Improving System Performance and Human Well-being in the Real World.
9. Soares, M.M. & Rebelo, F. 2016. Ergonomics in Design: Methods and Techniques.
Tillman, B & Fitts, D.J. 2016. Human Factors and Ergonomic Design Handbook- Lecturer: Huzayifa Sekaayi