Ergonomics (Individual Project)

Ergonomics: Hand on Hand with Science, Technology and Society

The world no longer is in the stage where humans go out of their homes to find for their basic commodities. Now, provision of these necessities has found its way to each and everyone’s doorstep in a few minutes if not hours or days. All thanks to technology and the related fields of sciences dealing with making daily tasks easier.

One of the fields of sciences which best contributes in making our lives easier is ergonomics. Ergonomics is derived from the Greek words “ergon" which means work and "nomoi" which means natural laws. It is the field of applied science which deals with designing machines, tools, and work environments to best accommodate human performance and behavior (Rickover, n.d.). Values related to the field are practicality, efficiency and safety for the users.

At present, many products have already been created, if not modified, which would best complement human anthropometric factors to allow humans to work efficiently and safely every day. These anthropometric factors include physical measurements such as height, weight, shoulder length, and the sensory aspect as well which are taken into consideration in the design of products (Ryan, 2013).

The output of considering these factors in the design of products and work environment include more productivity, reduced fatigue, increased efficiency and safer nature of work. All of which are for the users.

With the aid of technology and the creative minds of humans to ergonomics, many products have been developed in the 21^st century which have helped people all over the world, in different fields and professions including agriculture, architecture, engineering, medicine and more.

An example in agriculture would be the famous cubic watermelons which have been produced in Japan. (BBC News, 2001)

             

Figure 1. Cubic watermelons in Japan

These watermelons are not genetically modified. The fruits have been put in cubic cases in their early stages to follow the form of the container. These allowed consumers to store the fruits easily in their refrigerators and to slice them up without the problem of rolling across the table.

In architecture, homes are beginning to have smart modifications with this staircase and bookshelf together. To save space at home and make use of areas in a smart way, staircase design have been modified to make it into bookshelves (Ocana, 2008).

Figure 2. Staircase and Bookshelf in One

Meanwhile in medicine, ergonomics has help in the development of a tool using computer graphics for the Institute of naval Medicine to assist in the design of surgical environments on board ships. With this, users have been able to use the tool in a wide range of civilian medical and surgical applications (Stone, 2004).

              

Figure 3. Computer Graphics Aid for Civilian Medical and Surgical Applications

In engineering, ergonomics have contributed in making industrial tasks easier along with the development of material reinforcements that are good alternatives to other materials which may be hazardous to the health of engineers and to people in the industry (OSHA, 2012). Because of ergonomics also, work-related injuries have been minimized if not prevented.

Figure 4. Modified container than can be bent

                These are just few among the many contributions of ergonomics in the different fields and professions. With the help of ergonomics, work has been made easier, more efficient and safer these have been achieved with the help of science and technology.

References:

Rickover, R. (n.d.). Ergonomics. Retrieved from http://ergonomics.org/.

“Ergonomics.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergonomics

Ryan, V. (2013). Anthropometrics and Ergonomics. Retrieved from http://www.technologystudent.com/despro_flsh/revise11.html.

“Square fruit stuns Japanese shoppers,” (2001). BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1390088.stm.

Ocana, M. (2008). Home Designing. Retrieved from http://www.home-designing.com/2008/11/stairs.

Stone, R. (2004). Ergonomics in Medicine and Surgery. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC406327/.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, (2012). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html