cct333lab5

 1. ** Ergonomics is a term used to describe the relationship between a human and his or her technological environment. Most typically, the workspace or office environment involves computers, desks, chairs, etc. The goal of the study of ergonomics is to maximize human comfort and minimize health problems involved with working in such an environment. Ultimately, it exists to optimize the performance of said environment(wiki1). Typically, you’ll find the word ‘ergonomic’ when describing something like an office chair, but there are many more components of the workspace that ergonomics is concerned with; things we may not even think about all the time. According to Human Scale Ergonomics, there are six major issues to consider. The first is human comfort and simplicity of the design. Second comes establishing the correct height of the monitor, etc with the human eyes, and the correct depth between the two. The third issue is proper lighting set to the task at hand. If you are writing on paper, you want the paper to be lit, and if you’re not, you want it focused on whatever you’re looking at. Too many lights at once can cause trouble, headache, and confusion to the person. Fourth is the freedom of movement within and throughout the work area. The arms and back of a chair need to be adjustable so a person can relax when he or she needs to. The work area also should have the minimum number of accessories to maximize efficiency and eliminate clutter. The fifth issue mostly concerns laptops, since they can become uncomfortable to use very fast. Prolonged use of a laptop can be strenuous on the eyes, the neck, and the back of a person, so this step is concerned with these types of issues. The final problem is usable desk space. Somewhat linked with the freedom of movement issue, we can feel much more organized if everything we want to work with can actually fit on our desk space. In order to do this, we must eliminate clutter and organize things in such a way that they themselves can be adjustable and stow-away-able given our current needs. **2. ** The Gilbreth system of motion analysis is the study of the motions involved in completing a certain task, and then minimizing those motions by eliminating the wasteful ones and improving the necessary ones. In the video provided, the example was bricklaying. In analyzing the motions involved in this bricklaying, they learned that bending over to pick up bricks was not only the most inefficient movement in the process, but also the most tiring altogether. After inventing a device to eliminate this movement, the number of bricks laid per hour increased from 125 to 350, and the movements required were reduced to 5 from 18. Not only was this an amazing increase for productivity, but it also left the workers even less tired at the end of the day(provided youtube video). **3. ** There was no such person as Frank Therblig. The term “Therblig” comes from the reverse spelling of Frank Gilbreth’s last name, one coined by him and his wife, Lillian, in their invention of the study of time and motion. The Gilbreths utilized the study of time and motion to establish the Therblig, which is the name for a set of motions required to complete a task(wiki2). The necessary motions have many units as follows: search, find, select, grasp, hold, position, assemble, use, disassemble, inspect, transport loaded, transport unloaded, pre-position for next operation, release load, unavoidable delay, avoidable delay, plan, rest to overcome fatigue(wiki2). The term “Therblig” is used widely today in studying tasks in many workplaces. Specifically, a particular process is broken down into the therblig units, mentioned above, and then analyzed and modified to optimize the task by improving efficiency of the required therblig units, and eliminating the unnecessary ones(wiki2). **4. ** **Reach & Move ** : This category seeks to eliminate unnecessary movements in performing the task. After eliminating the unnecessary movements, it seeks to shorten distances required to make the necessary ones. After this, it makes sure to utilize the proper tools to perform the task. After this, it gets to more detailed things like eliminating abrupt changes in direction or shortening time in the transportation of an object, etc. **Search ** : This category is a little bit simpler than the first. The first question to be asked is if the articles are properly identified. Meaning, do we know exactly what we’re working with? Second, they look to make it easier to identify each of the articles used to eliminate time in searching for or identifying them. They do this by using proper layers or colours of the containers. Transparent containers could also be helpful if the items themselves are easily distinguishable between each other. After these things, a proper organization of the workspace and lighting of the workspace become the next issues to be made sure of. Lastly, if things can be pre-positioned that would also make locating them very simple and time-efficient for the worker. **Rest to Overcome Fatigue ** : This category ensures that workers are making the most efficient movements and given the opportunity to change positions or rest while working. First, it’s determined if the proper order of muscle movements are occurring. Second, environmental issues are considered, like temperature, humidity, ventilation, noise, light etc. If the worker can alternately sit or stand while working, that could provide less muscle strain on his or her back, etc. Then, more ergonomic issues become important like if the chair they use is suitable for the job. Then, they look for ways to make heavy loads easier to carry by mechanical means. Lastly, and slightly surprisingly, the knowledge of average intake requirements in calories per day needs to exist, perhaps to make sure the worker can create enough energy without over-exerting him or herself.
 * Lab 5: Human Scale Ergonomics and Frank Gilbreth's 'Therbligs'

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