Chapter 1:Introduction

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Chapter 1Introduction
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Introduction to Human Factors
Human Factors
Ergonomics
Human Engineering
Engineering Psychology
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Ergonomics/Human Factors

• Ergonomics or human factors interdisciplinary
  science that deals with the interaction of people
  and the objects they use.
• Ergonomics vs. Human Factors
• Human Factors is the term used in the US
• Ergonomics, although used in the US, is more
  prevalent in Europe and the rest of the world
• Sometimes the term human engineering is used or
  engineering psychology
• Human Factors is
• not just applying checklists and guidelines
• not just using oneself as the model for designing
  things
• not just common sense

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Human Factors Defined

• Ergonomics Defined
• the study of the interaction between human beings
  and the objects they use and the environments in
  which they function (Pulat, 1997)
• Human Factors discovers and applies information
  about human behavior, abilities, limitations, and
  other characteristics to the design of tools,
  machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments
  for productive, safe, comfortable, and effective
  human use (Sanders and McCormick, 1993)
• Brief History
• Beginning of human factors
• Polish educator and scientist Wojciech
  Jastrzebowski introduced the term ergonomics by
  combining two Greek words ergon meaning work
  nomos meaning laws.
• K. F. H. Murrell independently in 1949 formed the
  same word

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Human Factors

• US History - 1945-1960
• Frank and Lillian Gilbreth during the early 1900s
  began their work in motion study and shop
  management. One of the forerunners to what was
  later called human factors.
• At the end of WWII in 1945, engineering
  psychology labs were established by what was
  later the US Air Force and US Navy
• Human Factors profession born in Europe - 1949
• In 1957 journal Ergonomics from the Ergonomics
  Research Society appeared Human Factors Society
  was formed Division 21 (Society of Engineering
  Psychology) of the American Psychological
  Association was organized
• US History - 1960-1980
• Rapid growth of human factors outside the
  military-industrial complex
• Membership in HF Society grew from a membership
  of 500 in 1960 to 3000 by 1980

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Human Factors

• US History 1980-1990
• HF Society reaching 5000 in membership by 1990
• Expansion of computer technology
• Accidents (Three Mile Island Union Carbide plant
  in Bhopal, India Chernobyl)
• 1990 and Beyond
• FAA ordered by Congress in 1988 to expand HF
  research efforts
• OSHA draft ergonomic regulations for general
  industry
• Expansion to new areas medical devices,
  facilities for the elderly, distributed work,
  internet

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Human Machine System

• Human Machine System and Types of Ergonomics
  Problems
• Anthropometric fit between the human and
  workplace
• Cognitive information processing problems
  (overload, underload, processing)
• Musculoskeletal problems such as strain on
  muscular and skeletal systems
• Cardiovascular problems that place stress on
  the circulatory system, including the heart
• Psychomotor problems that strain the
  psychomotor systems can best be dealt with
  redefining job requirements

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Human Machine Systems

• Types of Systems
• Manual Systems consists of hand tools and other
  aids coupled with the human operator who controls
  the operation
• Mechanical Systems consists of well-integrated
  physical parts such as power tools and are
  generally designed to perform functions with
  little variation
• Automated Systems system performs all
  operational functions with little or no human
  intervention

Information storage
Information input
Output
Sensing (information Receiving)
Information processing and decision
Action functions (physical control or
communication)
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Chapter 2 The Ergonomics Function
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Cost of Ignoring Ergonomics

• less production output
• increased lost time
• higher medical costs
• higher material costs
• increased absenteeism
• low quality work
• injuries, strains
• increased probability of accidents and errors
• increased labor turnover
• less spare capacity to deal with emergencies

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Business and Ergonomics
Management
UNION
Administrative functions
Technical functions
Operating functions
Fig 2.1 General functional structure industry
(Pulat, 1997)
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Business and Ergonomics

• Justifying Ergonomics Projects
• Productivity increase
• System reliability
• Social responsibility
• Selling it to management
• Presentation
• Ergonomics Groups (size, types of work,
  responsibilities, available help)
• Sustaining effort
• develop background (credibility, education of
  others, information network)
• return on investment
• customer satisfaction
• design role