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by Rajinder Soni - ergonomics is defined as a body of knowledge about human abilities, limitations, and characteristics that are relevant to the design. The ergonomic design is the application of this knowledge for the design of tools, systems, machines, tasks, jobs and safe environments that are comfortable and provide effective use of human power without exploiting them. The term Ergonomics is obtained from Greek word ergos, which means work, and nomos, which means natural law or knowledge or study. Ergonomics has two main branches: One branch of ergonomics concerns to industrial ergonomics and occupational biomechanics, which focuses on the physical aspects of labor and human capabilities such as force, repetitions, and posture, and other branch of ergonomics concerns to a second discipline which is sometimes referred as "human factors", which is oriented to the psychological aspects of work and the mental workload and decision making process. The scope of ergonomics is very broad and it falls within various professions and academic careers such as engineering, physical therapy, industrial hygiene, occupational therapy, nursing, chiropractics, occupational medicine, and sometimes specialty ergonomics. Also, the ergonomics training is provided through courses, seminars, and conferences to many students around the world. General objectives of ergonomics

The following points are among the general objectives of ergonomics and help employers and organizations and industries in: 1.Reduction of occupational injuries and illnesses. 2.Decreasing the disability costs for workers. 3.Increasing productivity. 4.Improving the quality of work. 5.Lowering absenteeism. 6.Applying existing rules. 7.Decreasing the loss of raw material.

The methods by which we obtain general objectives of ergonomics are: 1.Analysis and appreciation of risks in the workplace. 2.Identification and quantification of risk conditions in the workplace.

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3.Recommendation of engineering and administrative controls to reduce risk conditions that are identified. 4.Through providing education to supervisors and workers about the hazardous conditions at workplace and providing workplace safety. What is Ergonomics?

The inter-disciplinary science of ergonomics explores human capabilities and limitations and uses this knowledge to improve the design of things that people use and the ways in which they work. Contributing disciplines include psychology, industrial engineering, computer science, biomechanics, safety engineering and a host of others.

Data and methods developed by the ergonomics profession are widely used to improve such things as office equipment and systems, technology for assisting disabled individuals, power plant control rooms, spacecraft, educational and training materials, medical devices, and consumer products.

Is Ergonomics a 'Real' Scientific Discipline?

Yes. Ergonomics is a globally-recognized science with a body of validated research findings and practices, and a worldwide community of scholars. The International Ergonomics Association, a federation of national ergonomics societies, has 29 member organizations, representing 16,000 ergonomists worldwide. In the United States, the profession publishes in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the quarterly journal, Human Factors, which began publication in 1957. There are more than 75 graduate and undergraduate ergonomics programs in accredited universities in the U.S. and Canada.

How Did Ergonomics Get Started?

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In the United States, ergonomics--also known as human factors engineering --became a real concern during World War II for improving the performance and safety of military systems such as aircraft, naval ships, and large-scale weapons. Based on work conducted by early researchers, designers began to recognize the importance of reflecting the characteristics of the operator in the equipment they designed. Post-war research expanded into the commercial sector to include space systems, consumer products, industrial and office settings, and computer systems.

In Europe, ergonomics began with an emphasis on human productivity and work physiology. As the discipline matured, other fundamental objectives were recognized, such as the provision of safer and healthier working environments and the improvement of the quality of life. Today, the global ergonomics community is equally concerned with improving the design of products and systems, and with improving conditions in industrial and office workplaces.

How is Ergonomics Used?

In military acquisition, ergonomic principles are usually included in system specifications. In the civilian sector, companies adopt ergonomic principles to reduce the incidence of costly accidents in their facilities, or to make their products more marketable as user-friendly. In some cases, government or industry guidelines or voluntary, consensus-based standards may be appropriate.

Is Ergonomics Expensive? No. Ergonomics is a cost-effective means of product ehancement. Ergonomics applications-based on solid research findings-not only improve the workplace, but make products and processes more competitive in the world market. The result is an improved bottom line for business, whether by decreased worker compensation and health care costs, or by increased marketability of products. Here are a few examples from the workplace:

Incorporating Ergonomics Into the Manufacturing Process. Beginning in 1979, John Deere and Company, the largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment in North America, began using ergonomics principles to redesign and reduce physical stresses on the job. Employees were extensively involved. Since 1979,

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Deere has seen an 83% reduction in employee back injuries and within five years, worker compensation costs were cut by 32%.

Preventing Injuries Reduces Costs. AT&T Global Information Solutions in San Diego, California, a manufacturer of mainframe computers, analyzed its injury logs and identified its three most frequent types of injuries: lifting, fastening, and keyboarding. By making workstation improvements and providing proper lift training for all employees, the company s worker compensation costs dropped by 75% in the first year