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Ergonomics can be summarised in
the phrase "designing for human use". It is concerned with making objects,
tools, environments, workstations, computer software, and pretty much everything
else, easy, comfortable, healthy and safe for people to use. Ergonomics
places the people who will use a system at the core of the design process.
It is, above all else, "user-centred". |
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Some examples of the applications of ergonomics
are:
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Redesigning an industrial production line to reduce the occurrence of work
related upper limb disorders in the workforce.
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Specifying software according to the needs of the prospective users of
the system, so that it is easy for them to use, and does what they want
it to.
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Advising a company on the choice of office chair for their computer workstations,
so that their staff can (with training) avoid lower back trouble and other
problems.
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Designing a video recorder so that the user can easily see how to programme
it, without having to memorise the manual.
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Redesigning an office layout to suit the needs of the people working there,
and to make it more efficient.
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Designing a new product so that all its users will be able to use it -
including the elderly, young, and people with disabilities.
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Ergonomics is becoming more important in our
increasingly complex and technological world. For instance, we are beginning
to see car manufacturers sell their cars on the basis of the ergonomics
in their design. Many companies now employ ergonomists to advise on the
layout of workstations to avoid the occurrence of RSI (Repetitive Strain
Injury) and back problems amongst their staff. Software producers in particular
are now insisting that their new products are easy to use and have been
designed to meet the needs of their potential users. Consumers too are
more demanding than ever before, and look for products and services that
are intuitive to use and require little upfront training. Ergonomics is
creeping into the consciousness of many organisations - and the benefits
are being seen for their staff and their customers. |
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Ergonomics also appears frequently in legislation
and standards - particularly in the areas of health and safety. For instance
the Manual Handling Operations Regulations and Display Screen Equipment
Regulations (both 1992) mention ergonomics specifically. |
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Ergonomics in Practice offers support in all
of these areas - see our
services
for more information. |
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Please feel free to contact
us if you feel the way we work
can be of benefit to you. |
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"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the
unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore
all progress depends on the unreasonable man"
- George Bernard Shaw |
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