School of Health Sciences - HSCI 580: Occupational Ergonomics

Description

Occupational ergonomics is a branch of science that focuses on optimizing the relationships between workers and their work environment. This course focuses on the principles and applications of ergonomics and the health and safety of the worker. The first part of the course will consist of lectures on anatomy, physiology, neurology, anthropometry, and biomechanics. The second part of the course will consist of lectures on development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic risk factors including work practices, tools and workstation design. The last part of the course will consist of identification and use of ergonomic controls to reduce and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Textbook:

• Occupational Ergonomics: Principles and Applications / F. (Fairborz) Tayyari and J. L. Smith. London : Chapman & Hall, 1997. ISBN: 0412586509.

Reading List:

• Waters, T.R., Putz-Anderson, V., Garg A.; Applications Manual for the Revised Lifting Equation, DHHS (NIOSH), Publication No. 94-110. 1994.
• Bernard, B,(editor); Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors, DHHS (NIOSH), Publication No. 97-141., 1997.
• Putz-Anderson, Vern, ed., Cumulative Trauma Disorders: A Manual for Musculoskeletal Diseases of the Upper Limbs, Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis Inc., 1998.
• Cohen, A.L., Gjessing, C.C., Fine, L., Bernard, B.P., McGlothlin, J.D.; Elements of ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117.
• McGlothlin, J.D.; Ergonomic Interventions for the Soft Drink Beverage Delivery Industry: DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-109. 1996.

Topics covered include:

1. An introduction to ergonomics
   • Introduction
   • Contributing disciplines
   • Objectives of ergonomics
   • Occupational ergonomics
   • Workplace stress factors
   • Occupational factors affecting the worker
   • Workplace hazards
   • Results of ergonomics applications
   • Basic terminology
   • Applications and discussions
2. Skeletal system
   • Introduction
   • The skeletal system
   • Joint movements
   • The back structure
   • The hand structure
   • Applications and discussion
3. Muscular system and work
   • Introduction
   • Chemical reactions during muscular contractions
   • Muscle fiber stimulation
   • Functional characteristics of muscle tissues
   • Muscle contraction
   • Skeletal muscles and their functions
   • Musculoskeletal system as a lever system
   • Guidelines for muscle use
   • Applications and discussion
4. Engineering anthropometrics
   • Introduction
   • Basic ergonomic design philosophies
   • Statistical basis of anthropometry
   • Anthropometric data
   • Body surface area
   • Body segments
   • Use of anthropometric data in design
   • Applications and discussion
5. Biomechanical bases of ergonomics
   • Introduction
   • Definitions and basic mechanics
   • Newton's laws of motion
   • Biomechanical analysis and models
   • Muscular strength
   • Applications and discussion
6. Work physiology
   • Introduction
   • Physiological responses
   • Energy and energy sources of the body
   • Categories of work
   • Respiration
   • The Circulatory system
   • Metabolism
   • Physical work capacity
   • Fatigue and its evaluation
   • Classification of workload
   • Endurance in physical work
   • Work-rest scheduling
   • Applications and discussion
7. Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)
   • Introduction
   • Musculoskeletal disorders
   • The back and back problems
   • The neck and neck problems
   • CTDs in the upper extremities
   • Fundamental risk factors of CTDs
   • Prevention of CTDs
   • Treatment of CTDs
   • Applications and discussion
8. Manual Materials Handling (MMH)
   • Introduction
   • Manual lifting task evaluation
   • Original versus new lifting guide
   • Other MMH activities: pushing and pulling
   • Back-injury-preventive techniques
   • Applications and discussion
9. Workstation design
   • Introduction
   • Workplace and workspace
   • Workplace design problems
   • General principles for workstation design
   • Ergonomics principles for workplace design
   • Using anthropometric data in workstation design
   • Recommendations for seated workstations
   • Ergonomic guidelines for standing tasks
   • Some critical problems and easy solutions
   • Applications and discussion
10. Work-tool design
    • Introduction
    • Grip strength and endurance
    • Types of work-tools
    • New development in tool handle design
    • Ergonomics guidelines for hand-tool design
    • Safety guidelines for tool use
    • Applications and discussion
11. Human-machine systems
    • Introduction
    • The workplace characteristics
    • The worker's functions
    • Ergonomics of human-machine systems
    • Human-machine system analysis and design
    • Controls and displays
    • Guidelines for designing displays and controls
    • Applications and discussion
12. Light and vision
    • The Ergonomics of Light and Vision
    • Quantity of illumination
    • Glare
    • Visual problems
    • Illumination guidelines
    • Applications and discussion
13. Occupational vibration
    • Introduction
    • Vibration terminology
    • Types of vibration with respect to its source
    • Types of vibration with respect to the human body
    • Assessment of vibration
    • Acceptable exposure limits to segmental vibration
    • Vibration control and prevention of vibration white finger
    • Applications and discussion
14. Shift work
    • Introduction
    • Shift-work terminology and notations
    • Shift organization and patterns
    • A conventional format for shift pattern notation
    • Effects of shift work on workers
    • Comparison of the three shift schedules
    • Guidelines for shift work
    • Criteria for selection of shift workers
    • Alternative work schedules
    • Applications and discussion
15. Office ergonomics
    • Introduction
    • Postural and habitual problems
    • Health risks in offices
    • Office problems
    • Solutions to office health problems
    • Examples (workstation design for VDT users)
    • Workstation design for office work
    • Relief from work tension
    • Applications and discussion
16. Ergonomics assessment of the workplace
    • Introduction
    • Ergonomics assessment approaches
    • Ergonomics assessment of the workplace design
    • Ergonomics worksite assessment
    • Injury Investigation
    • Assessment of ergonomics efforts
    • Applications and discussion
17. Implementation of ergonomics program
    • Introduction
    • Managing an ergonomics program
    • Objectives of ergonomics program
    • Components of an effective ergonomics program
    • Justification for an ergonomics program
    • Implementation obstacles
    • Applications and discussion