ERGONOMICS originated at the end of
World War II. Upon analyzing military objectives, their successes and failures, scientists
finally realized human beings needed to be taken into account in the design process of
machinery and equipment, to increase their effectiveness. Ergonomics has since developed
into a science concerning itself with human beings and how we function in conjunction with
a variety of equipment, products, methods and circumstances.
Professional ergonomists consider a wide range of factors when offering guidance to insure
products or services are safe, easy to use, and efficient. Physical attributes such as
size, weight, height, strength, skill, speed, and sensory abilities, along with thermal
comfort, motion, vibration, posture and workload are analyzed, in an effort to increase
performance, prolong endurance and reduce accidents. Ergonomics encompasses all human
activity and relies on research and data of a wide variety of disciplines including
Anthropometry, Engineering, Biomechanics, Environmental Physics, Body Systems, Physiology,
Applied Psychology and Social Psychology.
Work-related injuries and workplace activities involve lifting, carrying, pulling or
pushing and bending. Static, unnatural positions and repetitive motions can also be
detrimental. Equipment and system designs are often the cause. Ergonomists work to improve
the quality of our lives, increase our safety and enhance performance by providing
solutions for workstations, tools, equipment, protective wear, cleanliness and worker
well-being. Ergonomic programs help management identify hazardous conditions, provide
training, analyze data, establish prevention control measures and evaluate progress.
Specialties have developed in the field to include Physical Ergonomics, Cognitive
Ergonomics and Organizational Ergonomics.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY rose out of the needs of thousands of injured
Veterans wanting to return to active, independent and fulfilling lives at the end of World
War II. Governmental agencies and research centers were established to help.
Rehabilitation engineering became a specialty of scientific principles and procedures to
address their problems. Assistive technology refers to equipment designed and created
specifically to aid people with disabilities by providing them with the means to function
as independently as possible.
BARRIER-FREE DESIGN developed during the Civil Rights and Disability
Rights Movements by those trying to prevent discrimination against people with
disabilities. Physical barriers were recognized as a hindrance to a persons freedom.
Barrier-free design now influence policies, design practices and law through the
standardization of codes for access to the built environment, but workplace injuries
continue to increase.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN strives to integrate all people, including those with
disabilities, the elderly and children into our society. Changes required to accommodate
the disabled actually benefit the whole population. And, they can be achieved relatively
inexpensively with a little forethought.The "Principles of Universal Design"
established by the Center for Universal Design were developed to insure products, systems
or environments are designed to be usable by everyone. These principals include:
Principle
1 Equitable Use
Principle 2 Flexibility in
Use
Principle
3 Simple and Intuitive
Principle 4 Perceptible
Information
Principle 5 Tolerance for Error
Principle 6 Low Physical
Effort
Principle 7 Size and Space for Approach and Use.
Interior designers often utilize these in a variety of ways including the proper
layout of furniture and equipment, handicap accessibility in commercial or
public facilities, special equipment needs in healthcare, retail, and other
commercial venues, as well as, custom lighting, custom furnishings, ergonomic
workstations, proper flooring and more. We will see an increase in an older and
disabled individuals.
Data and solutions are needed to provide design
solutions for individuals with varying levels of abilities. This creates a
strong need to adopt assistive · barrier-free · universal · ergonomic
methods/procedures to provide the most cost-effective solutions for the greatest
number of people. The benefits include improved efficiency, higher quality
workmanship, greater job satisfaction and safer working environments to enhance
the quality of our lives.
- Dezignaré
Additional Resources:
All-Ukraine Association
American
Psychological Association: Searching PsycINFO for Ergonomics Topics
Applying
Ergonomic Techniques in the Workplace
Association of Canadian Ergonomists
ACE
The Board of Certified Professional
Ergonomists BCPE
Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health & Safety CCOHS
Center for Universal Design
Chairs,
Posture and The Alexander Technique
Department of
Defense Ergonomics Working Group
Ergonomics Society of
Australia
Ergonomics Society of the United
Kingdom
ErgoWeb
Human Factors & Ergonomics Society
Institute for Perception Research
International Ergonomics Association IEA
National Resource Center on
Supportive Housing and Home Modification
Quebec Occupational Health and Safety
Research Institute IRSST
Robens
Centre for Health Ergonomics
The Campaign for Better Seating
The Somatics
Health Center
Usability Professionals Association
Usernomics: Human Factors and
Ergonomics
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