Definition of Ergonomics
their time) ergonomic principles.
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific
discipline concerned with the understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of a
system, and the profession that applies theory,
principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimize human well-being and overall system
performance.-International Ergonomics Association
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the
worker. Designing work stations and tools to reduce
work- related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can
help workers stay healthy and companies to reduce
or eliminate the high costs associated with MSDs.
There are no specific training requirements for
ergonomics. - OSHA
The word ergonomics comes from the Greek
word “ergon” which
means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s
essentially the “laws of work” or “science of work”.
Science of fitting workplace conditions and job
demands to the capabilities of the working
population.
Science about relation between human beings
and their work environment.
Utmost goal- Humanization of work
In simple terms, ergonomics is the study and
design of equipment and devices to better fit the
human body and its movement.
History and Timeline of Ergonomics
5th Century BCE Greece - Basic ergonomics has
existed since the first ancestors of modern man
began creating primitive tools to make tasks easier.
Archaeological evidence from as far back as some of
the earliest Egyptian dynasties, and other, more
concrete findings from 5th Century BCE Greece,
have shown that tools, household equipment, and
other manmade devices illustrated sophisticated (for
World War II (1939-1945). Ergonomics in the
modern sense began to become more widespread
during World War II. Military equipment,
machinery, and weaponry — specifically airplanes
— was becoming increasingly complex.
After the innovations of World War II, ergonomics
continued to flourish, as its principles were further
applied to evolving technologies. The Space Race
lead to what could be called “hypothetical
ergonomics,” as scientists tried to predict the effects
of weightlessness and extreme g-forces on human
functions
Industrial Revolution. Shortly after the Industrial
Revolution, factory machinery and equipment
started being built with design considerations closer
to what we think of today as “ergonomics.” Most of
those designs, however, were created to increase the
speed and efficiency of production, rather than to
create comfort and/or ease of use for the workers
involved.4
The design of airplane cockpits included highly
sophisticated controls, but as these controls had little
to no logical organization, even the best-trained
pilots often crashed fully-functional planes. As a
result, cockpit interiors were redesigned to include
more easily differential controls and more logical
control placement, grouping similar functions
together.
Modern Ergonomics. Perhaps the most significant
development in modern ergonomics was in the field
of human-computer interaction, brought on by the
explosion of computer usage in the workplace and,
soon after, the home.
The science of modern ergonomics includes the
work of industrial engineers, occupational medical
physicians, safety engineers, and many others
studying both “cognitive ergonomics” (human
behavior, decision making processes, perception
relative to design, etc.) and “industrial ergonomics”
(physical aspects of the workplace, human physical
abilities, etc.).
Notable Persons in the History of Ergonomics
Wojciech Jastrzębowski, in 1857. The fact that the
word ergonomics was coined by a Polish scholar,
became widely known when his book in Polish was
reprinted with English translation in 1997.
Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714), an Italian
physician, that the relationship between working
conditions and pathology was first systematized
from an occupational health perspective. In this
book, not only respiratory disorders such as asthma
and tuberculosis caused by fine particles but effects
of awkward working postures on workers’ bodies
were referred to as diseases observed among metal
mining workers.
Józefa Joteyko (1919) - a Polish scientist wrote “The
Science of Labour and Its Organization”. It was
published in English, in which measurement of
occupational fatigue and principles in scientific
management of labor were discussed in detail.
Frederick W. Taylor (1900’s), Scientific
Management, a method that improved worker
efficiency by improving the job process, became
popular. He was a pioneer of this approach and
evaluated jobs to determine the “One Best Way”
they could be performed. At Bethlehem Steel,
Taylor dramatically increased worker production
and wages in a shoveling task by matching the
shovel with the type of material that was being
moved (ashes, coal or ore).
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, Time and Motion studies
made jobs more efficient and less fatiguing through
time motion analysis and standardizing tools,
materials and the job process. By applying this
approach, the number of motions in bricklaying was
reduced from 18 to 4.5 allowing bricklayers to
increase their pace of laying bricks from 120 to 350
bricks per hour.
Nearly every aspect of modern life now includes
some level of ergonomic design. Automobile
interiors, kitchen appliances, office chairs and desks,
and other frequently used devices are designed
ergonomically.
Even the machines and tools used to build and
assemble those devices are superbly ergonomic. By
maximizing efficiency and, more importantly, user
comfort and safety, ergonomics continues to make
life easie
FIRST ANCESTORS OF MODERN MAN They
began creating primitive tools to make tasks easier.
HISTORY OF ERGONOMICS
 AUSTRALOPITEC TOOLS
 PALEOLIT TOOLS
 CONTEMPRORARY TOOLS
5th Century BCE
Have shown that tools, household,
equipment and other manmade devices
illustrated
HISTORY OF ERGONOMICS
Ancient Greece (5th century BC) used
ergonomic principles in the design of their
tools, jobs and workplace
Hippocrates- description of how a surgeon’s
workplace should be designed and how the
tools he uses should be arranged.
Wojciech Bogumil Jastrzebowski 1857 the
outline of ergonomics i. e Science of work,
based on the truths taken from the natural
science. E
 considerations to what we think of
today’s “ergonomics”.
Those designs were created to
Ergon- praca (work) increase the speed and efficiency of
production
Nomos- prawo (law)
History of Ergonomics
Industrial Revolution
Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714) was STUDYING THE WORK THAT IS
aware of repetitive movement injuries to BEING DONE WHICH THAT
workers. TIME WAS CALLED
SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT
 Clerks
 Cobblers and tailors FREDERICK TAYLOR (1856-
 Porters 1915)
Research for work capability
Work time measurement
World War II Scientific method of work
1939-1945 organizing
Scientific management
Development of new and complex 1903- Shop Management
machines and weaponry 1911- Scientific Management

New demands on operator’s Therbligs- Classification of work

cognition activities
Key success factors:
 Hand eye coordination of the
machine operator
 Decision making
 Attention
 Situational awareness

Pilot error reduction

THE INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION

The Industrial Revolution was a Alphonse Chapanis (1917-2002)

time when people began producing Improving efficiency by eliminating
goods and things by Machine unnecessary
instead of by hand Chronocyclography
Example: bricklaying
1760-1840 fathers of ergonomics or human
factors
Factory machinery and equipment
being built with design
AREAS OF STUDY Teamwork
WORKERS - what they bring to the Community ergonomics
job Cooperative work
TOOLS - what they bring to the Virtual organizations
worker Quality management
TASKS - what the worker must do
ENVIRONMENT- the conditions MODERN ERGONOMICS
surrounding the worker and the tool Includes the work of Industrial
Engineers, occupational medical
Division of Ergonomics physicians, safety engineers
Physical ergonomics - human
anatomical, anthropometric,
physiological and bio mechanical
characteristics as they relate to
physical activity ERGONOMICS LABORATORY

1. Exercise on anthropometry
Biomechanical overload  Weighing Scale
Layout design  Anthropometer
Steering and control design  Tape measure
Workstation design
Work environment 2. Exercise on physical envir
onment
Cognitive ergonomics - mental  Sound level mete
processes, such as perception,  Lux meter
memory, reasoning, and motor  Temperature gauge
response, as they affect interactions
among humans and other elements 3. Exercise on posture analysis
of a system
 Giniometer
mental workload
ADDITIONAL LABORATORY
decision-making
TOOLS/EQUIPMENT
human-computer interaction
human reliability
Ruler / Meter Stick / Meter (Metre)
work stress
Work training
Vibration Meter

Hand dynamometer (for grip

Organizational ergonomics -
strength)
optimization of socio technical
systems, including their
Back-leg-chest Dynamometer (for
organizational structures, policies,
MMH)
and processes.

Communication
Crew resource management
Work design
 Vibration & noise
Repetition
Contact stress
SCOPE AND FOCUS OF Thermal Condition
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics Risk
+24 inches
ERGONOMICS literally means the Reaches occurring <1 * per minute
study or measurement of work.
(William T. Singleton) +12 inches
Reaches occurring >5 x per minute
It extends beyond work as labor for
monetary gain. +6 inches
Incorporate all activities whereby a Reaches occurring >5 x per minute
rational human systematically
pursue an objective -3 inches
Reaches occurring <1 x per minute
Sports and leisure activities
Domestic work OBJECTIVES
Education and training  To improve the relationship b/w
Health and social service people, equipment, workplace and
Government service environment
Industry work  To increase work efficiency and
Controlling engineered system (or productivity
using/adapting a mechanized  To promote safety and comfort at
system) work station
 To reduce physical workloads
 To minimize risk of injury, illness,
FOCUS OF ERGONOMICS accidents and errors without
HUMAN compromising productivity
WORKER
OPERATOR
EMPLOYEE
Physical activity Fields that interact with
ERGONOMICS
JOB RISKS FACTORS
Working in awkward postures/  Anthropometry
positions
 Psychology
Prolonged sitting and standing
 Operations
Bending, reaching, stretching
 Research
Driving for extended period of time
Heavy lifting  Surgery
Illumination  Physics
Awkward lifting  Orthopedics
Lifting in combination with twisting  Physiology
Pushing, pulling, carrying  Statistics
Accidents, slips, trips, falls  Engineering
 Biomechanics
 Industrial Hygine
 Industrial Medicine
Six Pillars of Ergonomic Design
“Wisdom”
1. User Orientation: Design and
application of tools, procedures, and
systems must be user-oriented,
rather than just “task” oriented
18/24 in (45-78 cm)
6 STEPS TO THE PERFECT
ERGONOMIC WORKSPACE
5. Scientific Method: Test and retest
hypothesis with real data, rather
than “anecdotal” evidence or “good
estimates”
6. Systems: object, procedures,
environments, and people are
interconnected, affect one another,
and do not exist in “isolation
Life-Cycle of Products, Procedures,
and Systems
1. Initial Idea: driven by customers,
technology change, competitors,
problems, needs

Chair 2. Requirements: user,

Desk manufacturer, standards,
Monitor government, cost, profit,
Keyboard and Mouse marketing/sales
Your Surrounding 3. Concepts: design alternatives,
Your Lifestyle comparison, choose best one

TAKE BREAK EVERY 25 4. Design detail parts, integrating

MINUTES with rest of system, prototype
testing, optimization

2. Diversity: Recognition of DESIGN THINKING

diversity in human capabilities and Empathize
limitations, rather than Define
“stereotyping” workers/users. Ideate
Prototype
3. Effect on Humans: Tools, Test
procedures, and systems are not
“inert”, but do influence human 5. Manufacturing: material,
behavior and well-being processes, assembly
6. Distribution/Sale: shipping,
4. Objective Data: Empirical display, delivery, installation,
information and evaluation is key in warranty
design process, rather than just use 7. Use: security, safety, access,
of “common sense” maintenance, repair
Subjective data- is collected via 8. Disposal: toxicity, recycling,
personal communication reusability, upgrade
Objective data- is collected via
observations
The Need for Ergonomics
 Evidence from Epidemiology
• Disabling work injuries in US (1990) = 1.8
million
• Permanent Impairment in US (1990) =
600,000
• Sprains/Strains account for 43% of work
injuries
• Musculoskeletal conditions in US (1988) =
$126 Billion
• Reduction of worker’s compensations costs
by 36-91% by companies using Ergonomics
in workplace
• Areas of Injury
61%(back), 8%(knee), 7%(ankle), 6%(shoulder),
3.3%(wrist), 3%(neck)
• Causes of Injury
Overexertion (31%), impact (24%), and falling
(17%), other (28%)

Ergonomics, in practice, is found to
be applied over the field of working
environment and deals with various
aspects such as:
 Anatomical factors in
workplace layout, including
the placement of
machines/equipment and
components to suit human
body measurements and
design of seats etc.
 The design of wheels and
control levers in order to
suit human mental and
physical characteristics.
 Climatic conditions such as
lighting and noise at the
workplace.
 Adaptation of the designs of
machines/equipment, tools
and work place layout to
suit human beings was
under taken by work study
engineers.
Ergonomics draws on many
disciplines to optimize the
interaction between the work
environment and the worker.
Disciplines
Anthropometry
Biomechanics
Mechanical engineering
Industrial engineering
WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS
The science of fitting
workplace conditions and job
demands to the capabilities of the
working population. Ergonomics is
an approach or solution to deal with
a number of problems—among
them are work-related
musculoskeletal disorders.
At its core, workplace ergonomics is
really about building a better
workplace. When jobs are designed
to match the capabilities of people,
it results in better work being
produced and a better experience for
the person doing it.
Benefits of Ergonomics
Lower costs
Higher productivity
Better product quality
Improved employee engagement
Better safety culture
The ergonomics improvement
process systematically identifies
ergonomic hazards and puts in place
engineering and administrative
control measures to quantifiably
reduce risk factors.
Ergonomics Process
Assess Risk: Conducting an
ergonomic assessment is a
foundational element of the
ergonomics process. Your
ergonomic improvement efforts will
never get off the ground without
being able to effectively assess jobs
in your workplace for
musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)
risk factors.
Plan Improvements: The core goal
of the ergonomics process is to
make changes to your workplace
that reduce risk. Making changes at
scale requires a significant planning
effort that includes prioritizing jobs
to be improved, identifying effective
improvement ideas, and cost-
justifying the improvement projects.
Measure Progress: Measurement is
an important component of any
successful continuous improvement
process. High performing
ergonomics programs are constantly
measured using both leading and
lagging indicators.
Scale Solutions: By establishing a
common set of tools to train your
workforce, assess risk, plan
improvements, measure progress,
and design new work processes,
you’ll be able to scale ergonomics
best practices throughout your
organization.
FOCUS AND APPLICATION OF
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is a combination of
disciplines. The human factors
(anthropometry and biomechanics)
come together with the equipment
(machine design) and job
requirements (task design).
Human Factors: Dimensions, forces,
movement, senses (touch, visual,
audible etc.)
Task Design: Management of time,
ease of use, information overload,
number of things to do at once.
Machine Design: Hardware to
provide function and arrangement,
assembly, servicing, reliability,
manufacturability.
Ergonomics is profitably applied in
following three areas:
Design of Man-Machine Systems:
A man-machine system is a system
where one or more workmen/
human beings work in relation with
one or more machines, devices or
equipment. Thus a worker drilling a
hole in a job or a person using a
hammer to drive a nail in a wooden
job (an article being manufactured is
an example of a man- machine
system as far as ergonomics is
concerned.
Design of Consumer Goods and
Service Systems:
Ergonomics is applicable in the
design of consumer goods starting
from design of tooth brush and other
items such as dinning set; sofa set;
kitchen ware, house hold fittings
table and shoes etc. Similarly
protective equipment such as safety
goggles, adverse weather and space
clothing, gloves, crash helmets,
firefighting and industrial hazard
protection and appliances etc.
should also be economically sound.
Design of Working Environment:
While designing a proper working
environment for work force/workers
at work, the various factors related
with ergonomics such as human
endurance of illumination, pollution,
noise heating and ventilation should
be taken into consideration. This
aspect should be taken into
consideration at each stage right
design up to real utilization or actual
service.
Focus of Ergonomics
1. Human Computer Interaction
"Human Computer Interaction
(HCI) process will affect and /or be
affected by other factors such as
fatigue, mental workload, stress and
anxiety.” (Yili Liu, 2004)
2. Biomechanics Occupational Safety and Health is a
field that takes into consideration
"Biomechanics is the study of health and safety standards,
characteristics of the body in conducts inspections, and
mechanical terms." (Karl Kroemer, investigates problems to take
2001) appropriate actions to ensure safety
and health of employees. (Goetesch,
"Occupational biomechanics is an 2002)
interdisciplinary science that
integrates knowledge and
techniques from diverse physical,
biological, and engineering
disciplines.”(Yili Liu, 2004)

In essence, biomechanics analyzes

the human musculoskeletal system
as a mechanical system that obeys
laws of physics. (Yili Liu, 2004)

3. Anthropometry

"Anthropometry is the study and

measurement of human body
dimensions." (Yili Liu, 2004; Karl
Kroemer, 2001)

Anthropometric data are used to

develop design guidelines for
heights, clearances, grips and
reaches of workplaces and
equipments for the purpose of
accommodating the body
dimensions of the potential
workforce. (Yili Liu, 2004)

4. Product Design

Product Design establishes and

defines solutions to and pertinent
structures for problems in a product
not solved before, or new solutions
to problems which have previously
been solved in a different way.
(Dieter)

5. Occupational Safety and Health


Module 2 ILLUMINATION
MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS
Visual sense - the ability to see; t
he visual faculty 
visual modality, vision, sight sense
modality, sensory system, modality
- a particular sense
acuity, sharp-sightedness, visual
acuity - sharpness of vision; the
visual ability to resolve fine detail
(usually measured by a Snellen
chart)
binocular vision - vision involving
the use of both eyes
central vision - vision using the
fovea and parafovea; the middle part
of the visual field
chromatic vision, color vision,
trichromacy - the normal ability to
see colors
distance vision - vision for objects
that a 20 feet or more from the
viewer
eyesight, sightedness, seeing -
normal use of the faculty of vision
monocular vision - vision with only
one eye
near vision - vision for objects 2
feet or closer to the viewer
night vision, night-sight, scotopic
vision, twilight vision - the ability
to see in reduced illumination (as in
moonlight)
daylight vision, photopic vision -
normal vision in daylight; vision
with sufficient illumination that the
cones are active and hue is
perceived
peripheral vision - vision at the
edges of the visual field using only
the periphery of the retina
POWERPOINT 1
Light means brightness
Light, a piece of equipment that
produces brightness, such as a lamp
or a bulb.
How much light is needed for
various situations or activities?
The amount of light we need varies
and depends on:
1. Type of task being done (such as
demands for speed and accuracy).
2. Type of surfaces (does it reflect
or absorb light).
3. General work area.
Individual's vision.
The amount of light falling on a
surface is measured in units called
lux.
Depending on the factors noted
above, adequate general lighting is
usually between 500 and 1000 lux
when measured 76 cm (30 inches)
above the floor.*

FROM: IESNA LIGHTING
TH
HANDBOOK 9 ED. Illuminating
Engineering Society of North
America.
Lux= Lumens (quantity of light)
per square meter
Most common lighting problems
Poor lighting can cause several
problems such as:
1. Insufficient light – not enough
(too little) light for the need.
2. Glare – too much light for the
need.
3. Improper contrast.
4. Poorly distributed light.
5. Flicker.
What you should know about insufficient
light?
• Poor lighting can be a safety hazard –
misjudgment of the position, shape or speed
of an object can lead to incidents and injury.
• Poor lighting can affect the quality of work,
specifically in situation where precision is
required, and overall productivity.
• Poor lighting can be a health hazard – too
much or too little light strains eyes and may
cause eye discomfort (burning, etc.) and
headaches.
Surface Reflectance of Objects
To reach proper light levels and
uniform light distribution in the visual
environment, many light fixtures are
designed to reflect light off walls, ceilings
and objects. The amount of light reflected
off a surface can be measured.
Suggestions for the percent of light
reflected off surfaces in a typical office
include:
• Window blinds (40-50%).
• Walls (50% maximum).
• Business machines (50% maximum).
• Ceiling (70-80%).
• Floor (20-40%).
• Furniture (25-45%).
How to test for insufficient light
problems?
To detect insufficient light, do the
following:
• Measure the average illumination
throughout the workplace. Compare this to
the recommended levels.
• Look for shadows, especially over work
areas and on stairways.
• Ask workers if they suffer from eye strain or
squint to see, or get frequent headaches.
How to correct for insufficient light
problems?
To correct insufficient light:
• Replace bulbs on a regular schedule.
• Clean light fixtures regularly.
• Add more light fixtures in appropriate
places.
• Paint walls and ceilings light colors so light
can be reflected.
• Use more reflected light and local lighting to
eliminate shadows.
• Do not position the work station with the
light fixture directly behind worker.
 GLARE- Reflected Light

Improper contrast

How do you check and correct for

poor contrast?
• Look for areas with great differences in light
levels.
• Look for objects that are hard to distinguish
from the background.
• Look for reading materials and monitors
where it is hard to make out the print or
characters from the background.

Lighting Checklist

Lighting checklist
 Lighting and Accommodation
MAN MACHINE SYSTEM

• When light is poor:

a. Near point recedes (the iris opens, cannot
focus near objects)
b. Far point moves nearer (can see
comparatively near objects)
c. Speed and precision of accommodation are
reduced.
d. Contrast backgrounds gives quicker and
The man-machine system is a close more precise accommodation.
cycle system with the following
components: Accommodation
1. Display of information on the - Ability of the eye to bring into
machine. sharp focus objects at varying
2. Perception of all information on display. distances from infinity down to the
3. Interpretation and taking decision in the nearest point of distinct vision.
light of his knowledge.
4. Communicate the decision to machine.
(control)

VISUAL PERCEPTION

1. Visual Field – the entire area that can be

“seen” by a person without movement of the
head and with the eyes fixed on a single
spot.

Adaptation of the Retina

• Sensitivity of the retina is adapted to the

prevailing light conditions. The sensitivity is
many times is many times greater in
darkness than in day light. (sun light vs
moon light)
• Light adaptation is quicker than dark
adaptation.
 Speed of Perception

ILLUMINATION LEVELS
Current recommendation regarding
illumination level by European
Standards for different type of areas
and activities.

Bright light DIN is "German institute for

standardization

Dazzle - brightness that confuses

someone's vision temporarily.
Glare - is difficulty of seeing in the
presence of bright light such as
direct or reflected sunlight or
artificial light such as car headlamps
at night or flashlight.
Glare is caused by a significant ratio ILLUMINATION LEVELS
of luminance between the task (that
which is being looked at) and the
glare source.

VISUAL CAPACITY
Acuteness of vision
Ability to see the finest details of
objects and surfaces. It increases
with level of illumination, contrast
between the test symbol and its Lighting Level or lux - Lux is a
immediate background. standardized unit of measurement of
light level intensity, which is
Sensitivity to contrast commonly referred to as
The ability to perceive the "illuminance" or "illumination".
smallest differences in luminance  
and thus appreciates the variations A measurement of 1 lux is equal to
in shape and form. the illumination of a one meter
square surface that is one meter
away from a single candle.

CALCULATING
ILLUMINATION

LIGHTING LEVELS or LUX
Example Problem-
Illumination
10 incandescent lamps of
500 W (10600 lumens per
lamp) are used in an area of
50 m2. With Cu =0.6 and LLF
= 0.8 illumination can be
calculated as:

To place the amount of 1 lux into GIVEN:

context, examples of the wide Ll= 10
ranging lux of a natural ambient incandescent lamps
light conditions are given in the (10600lumens/lamp)
table below: Cu= 0,6 LLF
= 0.8 Al = 50 m2
GIVEN:
Ll= 10
incandescent lamps
(10600lumens/lamp)
Cu= 0,6 LLF
= 0.8 Al = 50 m2

Illumination can be calculated as

I = Ll Cu LLF / Al

Where:
I = illumination (lux,
lumen/m2)
Ll = lumens per lamp
(lumen)
Cu = coefficient of
utilization
LLF = light loss factor
Al = area per lamp (m2)
 NOISE AND ITS The inner ear provides the interface at
which the sound waves are converted
HEALTH EFFECTS into nervous impulses.
Sound is what we hear. Noise is Sound perception is the interpretation
unwanted sound. of this impulses in the brain.
The difference between sound and DECIBEL (dB)
noise depends upon the listener and
the circumstances. The human ear registers sound

Rock music can be pleasurable sound

to one person and an annoying noise to
another.
In either case, it can be hazardous to a pressure from
person's hearing if the sound is loud and
to 20µb (gentle murmur to the scream of
if they are exposed long and often
a jet engine.)
enough.
• The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic
Sound is produced by vibrating objects
unit used to measure sound level.
and reaches the listener's ears as
waves in the air or other media. When • It is also widely used in electronics,
an object vibrates, it causes slight signals and communication.
changes in air pressure. These air
PITCH
pressure changes travel as waves
through the air and produce sound. Sound frequency in hertz (Hz)
determines pitch.
The human ear is sensitive to 16-
SOUNDS
20,000Hz.
Indoor sounds
• Infrasonic is below 16Hz, only
Soft sounds variations are perceived.
human sounds • Ultrasonic is above 20,000Hz.
machine sounds Ultrasonic vibrations are used
therapeutically.
Sound is produced by vibrating objects
and reaches the listener's ears as
waves in the air or other media.
When an object vibrates, it causes slight
changes in air pressure. These air
pressure changes travel as waves Main functions of hearing
through the air and produce sound.
Hearing has two main functions.
SOUND PERCEPTION
1. To convey specific information – communicate.
2. As an alarm system – important in walking,
increased alertness and finally alarm to recognize
dangerous situation.
SOUND vs NOISE
Sound is what
we hear.
Noise is unwanted
sound.
The difference between sound and noise depends
upon
the listener and the circumstances.
Speed of Sound
Table 1 lists the approximate velocity of
sound in air and other media. In gases, the higher the
velocity of sound, the higher the pitch will be
(Remember the "Mickey Mouse" sound when people
talk after inhaling helium gas?).
Regular exposure to loud noise has been
associated with cardiovascular problems
such as high blood pressure.
According to Masterson, L. Ph.D.,(2018
higher rates of hypertension and high cholesterol in
people who were regularly exposed to loud noises at
work—meaning that for 4 or more hours a day,
several days a week, they needed to raise their voice
or shout to be heard by someone standing a few feet
away.
The irritating effect of loud noise in your
community may also affect health.
In a 2018 study published in the
International Journal of Cardiology, for example,
German researchers found that people who reported
being annoyed by sounds such as the rumble of car
and construction vehicle engines and horns in their
neighborhood had a higher risk of atrial fibrillation
—an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots
and stroke.
Noise in your environment may also get in the way
of needed rest. And insufficient sleep has been
linked with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease,
among other health issues.
“The prevailing thought is if you’re living in
a noisy community, noise, of course, disrupts sleep,”
according to Richard Neitzel, Ph.D., associate
professor of environmental health sciences at the
University of Michigan.
Finally, spending time in noisy environments could
lead you to make poor food and drink choices.
In one 2018 study published in the Journal
of the Academy of Marketing Science, scientists
found that people in restaurants and supermarkets
purchased healthier foods when music and noise
were low, and chose unhealthy foods when the
volume was turned up louder. Other studies have
found that higher music volume may lead to more
alcohol consumption in bars and restaurants.
Children may be particularly vulnerable to loud
noise.
CR recommends the 60/60 rule: Listen at no more
than 60 percent of the maximum volume for no more
than 60 minutes per day. Kids and teens should heed
A number of studies have found a link this rule, too—the CDC says that as many as 12.5
between increased noise exposure and poorer percent of kids and teens ages 6 to 19 have already
cognitive abilities among children. incurred some damage to their hearing.
How to protect yourself form Noise
According to NIOSH, exposure to noise introduction to Monitoring Noise and Sound
levels of 85 decibels (dBA) for more than 8 hours in
a day may affect hearing—and the louder the noise, Noise can be defined as the presence of unwanted
the less time it takes to cause harm. sound. Something that makes a sound must pulse the
air back and forth, generating sound waves
detectable by the human ear (in the range of about
While you may not be able to move away from a 20Hz to 20,000 Hertz). These "sound waves" strike
noisy neighborhood or work in a quieter our ear drums, which are moved by the changes in
environment, consider these steps: air pressure and enable us to perceive sound. Many
workplace environments can be harmful, sometimes
1. Wear hearing protection, such as earmuffs causing permanent damage, to our hearing.
or earplugs, when you know you might be
exposed to loud sounds (and put these on
kids, too). How Does a Noise Meter Work?
2. 2. Check your workplace. If you’re exposed
to loud or prolonged noise at work, your
employer should provide hearing protection. Sound waves are measured using a microphone and
converted into data which is displayed and/or logged
3. According to NIOSH, company’s into memory.
should also be working to eliminate or
replace noisy equipment, to keep sources of
noise away from employees, or to limit
Sound and Noise General Information
people’s time exposed to dangerous noises.
4. Limit your exposure to loud noises
around your home, especially from outdoor Various dB levels and the corresponding reduction
power equipment. in actual sound pressure as well as the human
perceived volume reduction for reducing noise
Lawn mowers, snow blowers, string
levels.
trimmers, and other power tools can reach
noise levels high enough that if you use
them for 15 minutes or half an hour, they
could cause hearing damage. Make sure
you have hearing protection on when you
use these tools.

5. Take care with headphones.

 Exposure to loud noise can certainly
damage your hearing. Here, how our loud world can
affect you, plus what you can do to protect yourself.
NOISE MEASUREMENT

NOISE AT WORKPLACE
human noise
machine noise
NOISE is unwanted or disturbing sound.
Sources of Noise
External Source – coming from outside
Internal Source – within the organization or
workplace
Why measure noise?
NOISE LEVEL
It helps identify work locations where there are
noise problems, employees who may be affected,
and where additional noise measurements need to be
made.

 SAFETY
 PRODUCTIVITY
 QUALITY

HOW IS NOISE MEASURED?

The sound pressure level is measured to determine
noise exposures. The first step is to determine if
there is a noise problem in the workplace.
NOISE LEVEL

How do you identify noise

problems in the workplace?
 The indicators of potentially It is important that you understand the
hazardous noise level include: calibration, operation and reading the
• Noise is louder than busy city traffic. instrument you use.
• People have to raise their voice to talk to
What types of instruments are used
someone at one meter (3 feet) away.
• At the end of work shift people have to for measuring noise?
increase the volume of their radio or TV to a
level too loud for others.
• After working for a few years at that
workplace, employees find it difficult to
communicate in a crowd or party situation
where there are other sounds or many
voices.

What things do you consider when planning noise

measurement?
Before taking field measurements, it is important
to determine the type of information required. The
person making the measurement must understand:
• The purpose of measurement: compliance
with noise regulations, hearing loss
prevention, noise control, community
annoyance etc.
• The sources of noise, and times when the
sources are operating.
• The temporal pattern of noise - continuous,
variable, intermittent, impulse.
• Locations of exposed persons.
What types of instruments are used
for measuring noise?
LABORATORY TOOL FOR
The most common instruments used for
measuring noise are the:
NOISE MEASUREMENT
SOUND METER 

1. sound level meter (SLM),

     A sound meter or decibel meter is a
measuring instrument used to assess noise
2. the integrating sound level meter (ISLM), or sound levels by
and measuring sound pressure. Often referred
to as a sound pressure level
3. the noise dosimeter.
(SPL) meter, decibel (dB) meter,
noise meter or noise dosimeter,
a sound level meter uses a microphone to
capture sound.
 
SOUND LEVEL METER
A sound level meter is used for acoustic
measurements. It is commonly a hand-held
instrument with a microphone. The best type of
microphone for sound level meters is the
condenser microphone, which combines precision
with stability and reliability.
Level A-weighted Fast maximum: LAFmax
Level C-weighted Slow minimum: LCSmin
Level Z-weighted Impulse maximum: LZImax
Level A-weighted equivalent: LAeq
VIBRATION
MEASUREMENT AND
ITS HEALTH EFFECTS
INTRODUCTION
      Vibrations are mechanical oscillations
produced by periodic movements of a body
about its resting position. Vibration in a
general sense is anything that switches
back and forth, to and from, side to side, in
and out, off and on, loud and soft, or up and
down. A vibration is a wiggle in
time. Vibration produces waves; which is a
propagation of vibrations throughout the
space.
       Occupational vibration exposure occurs
when the body is exposed to pulsation, shaking
or tremors usually produced by a vibrating
object such as a power hand tool. Vibration is
often called a vector quantity, which means that
the vibratory motion has both a negative effect
in of itself and a magnitude or intensity
component.
Type of Vibration Exposure
Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is vibration
transmitted from a work process into
workers’ hands and arms.  Hand-arm
vibration is usually caused by a vibrating hand
tool or work piece which transmits the
movement. Vibration restricts the blood supply
to the hands and fingers, which, depending on
the vibration level and duration of exposure,
can contribute to an ergonomic injury.
2. Whole-body vibration (WBV) Whole-body
vibration (WBV) is transmitted through the seat
or feet of employees who drive mobile
machines, or other work vehicles, over rough
and uneven surfaces as a main part of their job.
Large shocks and jolts may cause health risks
including back-pain.
Exposure to vibration could have a negative
effect on the health of your employees.
1. It could damage
joints, muscles, circulation and sens
ory nerves.
2. This could lead to considerable pain,
time off or even disability.
Common vibration hazards and controls
 Hand arm vibration (HAV)
HAV is caused by regular exposure to
high levels of vibration from hand held tools
and equipment. It could also be caused by
holding materials in contact with grinding or
cutting operations.
HAV can affect workers who use power
tools and cutting equipment such as:
 grinders
 polishers
 strimmers
 chainsaws
 power drills
 road breakers.
The vibration transmitted from the tools
or materials to the hands and arms could
damage sensory nerves, muscles and joints
which is called hand arm vibration
syndrome (HAVS).
 Vibration white finger
This is a condition caused by damage to
the circulatory system in the hands and
fingers as a result of contact with vibrating
tools. The symptoms are:
 tingling
 numbness
 whitening appearance to the fingers.
After the attack, the fingers affected may
become painful, red and throbbing as the
circulation returns.
These symptoms may become more
severe and frequent with continued
exposure to vibration, especially in cold
weather. This can eventually lead to
permanent disability.
 Whole body vibration (WBV)
Whole body vibration is caused by
sitting, standing or lying on a vibrating
surface. This could lead to:
1. headaches
2. motion sickness
3. chronic back pain
4. stomach problems
5. sleep and visual disturbances.
Using vehicles off road increases the
risk of jolts and jarring. For this reason
employees that drive or operate heavy plant
and vehicles such as construction plant,
agricultural machines and quarry vehicles
are especially at risk.
Vibration transmitted through the feet
can also be a problem for employees that
stand on the platforms of stationary plant
such as rock crushers.
Carry out a risk assessment
If work with vibration cannot be
avoided then you have a legal duty to
assess the risks and how to address them.
You can use our HAV risk assessment form
to record your assessment of risk from
vibrating tools and equipment.
 Gather data on vibration levels
Manufactures need to provide details of
how much vibration a tool or piece of
equipment produces, either on tools
themselves or in handbooks.
Vibration levels are useful when choosing
tools that produce less vibration. However
there are other factors when using
equipment that will influence risks, such as
 how long it is used for
 how tightly it is gripped
 how awkward it is to use
 how cold and wet conditions are
during use.
Vibration Risk Assessment
The aim of the risk assessment is to
help you decide what you need to do to
ensure the health and safety of your
employees who are exposed to vibration.
Your risk assessment should:
1. Identify where there might be a risk
from vibration and who is likely to be
affected;
2. Contain a reasonable estimate of
your employees’ exposures, and;
3. Identify what you need to do to
comply with the law eg whether
vibration control measures are
needed, and, if so, where and what
type; and
4. Identify any employees who need to
be provided with health surveillance
and whether any are at particular
risk.

Vibration Measurement &
Its Health Effects
• Vibration in a general sense is anything that
switches back and forth, to and from, side to
side, in and out, off and on, loud and soft, or
up and down.
• A vibration is a wiggle in time.
• Vibration produces waves; which is a
propagation of vibrations throughout the
space.
• Scientific definition
Any motion that repeats itself after an
interval of time
• Engineering definition
Deals with the relationship between forces
and oscillatory motion of mechanical
system.
Type of vibration exposure
1. Hand arm vibration (HAV)
Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is vibration
transmitted from a work process into
workers’ hands and arms.
2. Whole body vibration (WBV)
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is transmitted
through the seat or feet of employees who
drive mobile machines, or other work
vehicles, over rough and uneven surfaces as
a main part of their job.
Common vibration hazards
1. Hand arm vibration (HAV)
HAV is caused by regular exposure to high
levels of vibration from hand held tools and
equipment. It could also be caused by
holding materials in contact with grinding or
cutting operations.
The vibration transmitted from the tools or
materials to the hands and arms could
damage sensory nerves, muscles and joints
which is called hand arm vibration
syndrome (HAVS).
Common vibration hazards
HAV can affect workers who use power
tools and cutting equipment such as:
• grinders
• polishers
• strimmer
• chainsaws
• power drills
• road breakers.
HAV
Vibration white finger
This is a condition caused by damage to the
circulatory system in the hands and fingers
as a result of contact with vibrating tools.
The symptoms are:
• tingling
• numbness
• Whitening appearance to the fingers.
Vibration white finger
After the attack, the fingers affected may
become painful, red and throbbing as the
circulation returns.
These symptoms may become more severe
and frequent with continued exposure to
vibration, especially in cold weather. This
can eventually lead to permanent disability.
2. Whole body vibration (WBV)
 Whole body vibration is caused by sitting,
standing or lying on a vibrating surface. This
could lead to:
• headaches
• motion sickness
• chronic back pain
• stomach problems
• sleep and visual
disturbances.
Vibration transmitted through the feet can
also be a problem for employees that stand
on the platforms of stationary plant.
Using vehicles off road increases the risk of
jolts and jarring. For this reason employees
that drive or operate heavy plant and
vehicles such as construction plant,
agricultural machines and quarry vehicles
are especially at risk.
VIBRATION EXPOSURE CONTROL
Protecting workers from the effects of
vibration usually requires a combination of
appropriate tool selection, the use of
appropriate vibration-absorbing materials (in
gloves, for example), good work practices,
and education programs.
 Anti-Vibration Tools
Tools can be designed or mounted in ways
that help reduce the vibration level. For
example, using anti-vibration hammer
reduces acceleration levels by a factor of
about 10.
 Anti-Vibration Gloves
Conventional protective gloves (e.g., cotton,
leather), commonly used by workers, do not
reduce the vibration that is transferred to
workers' hands when they are using
vibrating tools or equipment. Anti-vibration
gloves are made using a layer of viscoelastic
material.
VIBRATION RISK ASSESSMENT
If work with vibration cannot be avoided
then you have a legal duty to assess the risks
and how to address them. You can use our
HAV risk assessment form to record your
assessment of risk from vibrating tools and
equipment.
HOW TO CARRY OUT RISK
ASSESSMENT
Gather data on vibration levels
Manufactures need to provide
details of how much vibration a tool or piece
of equipment produces, either on tools
themselves or in handbooks.
 RISK ASSESSMENT SHOULD:

1. Identify where there might be a risk from

vibration and who is likely to be affected;
2. Contain a reasonable estimate of your
employees’ exposures, and;
3. Identify what you need to do to comply with
the law eg whether vibration control
measures are needed, and, if so, where and
what type; and
4. Identify any employees who need to be
provided with health surveillance and
whether any are at particular risk.