What do a split computer keyboard, air bags, and astronaut toothpaste have in common? What information do ergonomists need to design things?
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What do a split computer keyboard, air bags, and astronaut toothpaste have in common? What information do ergonomists need to design things?
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The team shows how ergonomics makes life more comfortable.
Segment length:
5:30
Have you ever wondered how astronauts brush
their teeth in space? You don't see any sinks in spacecraft, do you? And in zero
gravity, how can they rinse and spit out after brushing?
Astronauts can brush in space thanks to a very clever invention. They use a foamless toothpaste that doesn't need water, has a pleasant taste, and is perfectly safe to swallow.
Edible toothpaste is just one example of ergonomics at work. Ergonomics is a term taken from the Greek word "ergon", meaning work, and "nomos"; meaning natural laws. In other words, ergonomics refers to the natural laws of work. It's the science of designing the job, products, and place to fit the worker.
Ergonomics enters into the design of everything from equipment for space missions to the most comfortable car interior or athletic shoes. The idea behind it is simple. If you use a tool to do something it wasn't designed to do, then the tool can be damaged. In the same way, if you perform tasks beyond your physical capabilities, then you can get "damaged," too.
Many work-related injuries develop gradually over time. Called cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), or repetitive motion disorders, they can be caused by repeated, constant, or excessive stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and nerves. If your job requires you to continually bend, lift, or stretch, you could end up with a back sprain. If you need to constantly bend, twist, or make repetitive motions with your hands and wrists, such as typing on a keyboard, you might acquire carpal tunnel syndrome.
To prevent injuries, ergonomists first determine the needs and capabilities of the people who will use a work site or product. (These are called the human factors.) To do this, they conduct many tests to find out the typical body size and common physical tendencies of the workers, such as muscle movement and vision. They use instruments like anthropometers and sliding calipers to measure the human body, as well as workplace surveys to collect data. They also have volunteers test products and they conduct workplace simulations to watch how people do their jobs.
Based on this research, ergonomists design work areas, products, and equipment to fit the needs of workers. Because of them, people can work more safely, comfortably, and efficiently.
Connections
1. What information would ergonomists need to
design a car interior?
2. If you were an ergonomist for the aerospace
industry, what problems would you need to solve? Think of space suits, the
interiors of spacecraft, and space stations.
anthropometer instrument used to
measure body dimensions
carpal tunnel narrow channel formed by bones,
ligaments, and connective tissue at the wrist through which nerves, tendons, and
blood vessels pass
carpal tunnel syndrome injury that usually comes from
repetitive actions with hands and wrists
cumulative trauma disorder a group
of medical disorders caused by repeated stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments,
and nerves
ergonomics the science of designing the job, product, and place
to fit the worker
human factors the needs and capabilities of human beings
which are considered in the design of products and places
sliding caliper
instrument used to measure a distance
Pater, R. & Button, R. (1992, Nov) Organizing for strategic ergonomics. Occupational Hazards, p. 55.
NEWTON'S APPLE Show 1107 (carpal tunnel syndrome). GPN: (800) 228-4630. Or call your local PBS station to find out when it will be rerun.
Additional sources ofinformation
Congratulations! You're a famous ergonomics expert, so famous that your reputation has reached the Galaxy Zorbag where a group of friendly, superintelligent space aliens live. They've always planned to visit Earth one day, but they've worried about how they would adapt to an environment like ours.
Hearing about your skill and creativity in designing tasks, tools, and settings for human beings, they've just communicated with you telepathically and told you they'll be coming soon for a yearlong stay. They'll need a place to live and work during their visit. They know how to access our "primitive" computers, so they'll need comfortable workstations as well. Since they'd like to do some sightseeing, they'll also need transportation.
The problem is, like
most space aliens, the Zorbagians have some peculiarities:
.
Ergonomics is a relatively
new science, although its basic principles are as old as the first humans who
adapted a tool for their environment. Go to the library and research when and why
ergonomics was first used in industry. (Here's a hint: World War II and
aircraft.)
Think of six careers that might have high rate of
injuries due to cumulative trauma disorders. Interview some people with these
jobs to see if your guesses are correct. What do these people do to avoid
injuries?
Find a photo of an old product, such as a tool, piece
of furniture, vehicle, or appliance. Compare it to a similar product of today.
What changes were made to this product over time? Why were these changes made?
Interview parents, grandparents, or other older adults to learn
about typical work sites, equipment, products, or work procedures when they were
young. Discuss the ergonomic improvements that have been made since then.
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Newton's Apple is a production of KTCA Twin Cities Public Television.
Made possible by a grant from 3M.
Educational materials developed with the National Science Teachers
Association.
