Human Factors Engineering

UNIT I INTRODUCTION 9
Definition Human & Machine system Manual; Mechanical; Automated system, Input of Information -
Auditory, Visual, Oral, Olfactory display & Communication. Human Output and Control Physical work,
Manual material handling, Physiological performance : Motor Skill, human control of systems, controls & data
entry devices, hand tools & devices.
UNIT II WORK PLACE AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN 9
Applied anthropometry, Workspace design and seating, arrangement of components within a physical space,
interpersonal aspects of work place design, and design of repetitive task, design of manual handling activity
task, work capacity, stress, and fatigue. Design of Equipment : Ergonomic factors to be considered in the
design of displays and control, design for maintainability, design of human computer interaction.
UNIT III ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 9
Vision and illumination design Climate, Noise, Motion, Sound, Vibration.
UNIT IV BIOMECHANICS, BIOTHERMODYNAMICS, BIOENERGETICS 9
Biostatic mechanics, statics of rigid bodies, upper extremity of hand, lower extremity and foot, bending, lifting
and carrying, biodynamic mechanics, human body kinematics, kinetics, impact and collision, human activity
analysis, ergonomic tools, RULA, REBA, NOISH lifting equation Biothermal fundamentals, human operator
heat transfer, human system bioenergetics, thermoregulatory physiology, human operator thermo regularity,
passive operator, active operator, heat stress.
UNIT V COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS & HUMAN FACTOR APPLICATION 9
Information Theory Information processing, Signal detection theory, Human response, human errors,
cognitive task analysis. Human factors applications : Human error, accidents, human factors and the
automobile, organizational and social aspects, steps according to ISO.DIS6385, OSHAs approach, virtual
environments.

REFERENCES
1. Chandler Allen Phillips, Human Factors Engineering, John Wiley and sons, New York, 2000
2. Mark S Sanders, Human Factors in Engineering and Design, McGraw Hill, New
York, 1993.
3. Bridger R S, Introduction to Ergonomics, Taylor and Francis, London, 2003.
2
Industrial Design
Industrial Design is the use of both applied art and applied
science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality,
and/or usability of a product, and it may also be used to
improve the product's marketability and even production. The
role of an industrial designer is to create and execute design
solutions for problems of form, usability, physical ergonomics,
marketing, brand development, and sales.

The objective of this area is to study both function and form,
and the connection between product, the user and the
environment
3
Product characteristics specified by the Industrial Designers may
include the overall form of the object, the location of details with
respect to one another, colors, texture, form, and aspects
concerning the use of the product ergonomics.

Additionally the Industrial Designers may specify aspects
concerning the production process, choice of materials and the way
the product is presented to the consumer at the point of sale. The
use of industrial designers in a product development process may
lead to added values by improved usability, lowered production
costs and more appealing products.

In addition to considering aesthetics, usability, and ergonomics, it
can also encompass the engineering of objects, usefulness as well
as usability, market placement, and other concerns such as
seduction, psychology, desire, and the emotional attachment of the
user to the object.
4
5
Workplace hazards
Physical hazards -most common. Examples include: frayed electrical
cords, unguarded machinery, exposed moving parts, constant loud noise,
vibrations, working from ladders, scaffolding or heights, spills, tripping
hazards.
Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work you do, your body
position and/or your working conditions put a strain on your body. They
are difficult to identify because you dont immediately recognize the harm
they are doing to your health. Examples include: poor lighting, improperly
adjusted workstations and chairs, frequent lifting, repetitive or awkward
movements.
Chemical hazards when exposed to any chemical preparation (solid,
liquid or gas) in the workplace. Examples include: cleaning products and
solvents, vapours and fumes, carbon monoxide or other gases, gasoline or
other flammable materials.
Biological hazards come from working with people, animals or infectious
plant material. Examples include: blood or other bodily fluids, bacteria and
viruses, insect bites, animal and bird droppings.

6
Introduction-Ergonomics
The International Ergonomics Association defines
ergonomics or human factors as follows:
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.

Purpose: Improving the performance of systems
Designing in- better interface-
Designing out- degrading factors- fatigue

7
Ergonomics-Types
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomy, and some
of the anthropometric, physiological and bio mechanical
characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as
perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect
interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant
topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance,
human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress and training
as these may relate to human-system and Human-Computer
Interaction design.)
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of
socio-technical systems, including their organizational structures,
policies, and processes. (Relevant topics include communication,
crew resource management, work design, work systems, design of
working times, teamwork, participatory design, community
ergonomics, cooperative work, new work programs, virtual
organizations, telework, and quality management.)
Environmental ergonomics is concerned with human interaction with
the environment. The physical environment is characterized by
climate, temperature, pressure, vibration, light.

8
9
10
System improvement
Designing user interface to make it more
compatible with the task and user- Mouse, screw
driver handle
Changing work environment to make it safer-
covered container
Changing task to make it more compatible with
user characteristics
Changing the way work is organised to
accommodate peoples psychological and social
needs
11
Purpose
Eliminate aspects of system functioning which
are undesirable, uncontrolled or unaccounted
for- such as
Inefficiency
Fatigue
Accidents and injuries
User difficulties
Low morale and apathy
12
Interface and feedback
Human beings interact with machines through
an interface and get feedback via an interface
Interaction
Car- Steering wheel
Computer Key board
Feedback
Car- Dashboard
Computer-Monitor
13
Human Requirements
Equipment that is usable and safe
Tasks compatible with human expectations,
limitations and training
Environment that is comfortable and
appropriate for the task
System of work organisation that recognises
peoples social and economic needs
14
Human-machine
system
15
Humanmachine system
Humanmachine system is a system in which
the functions of a human operator (or a group
of operators) and a machine are integrated.
This term can also be used to emphasize the
view of such a system as a single entity that
interacts with external environment.
Systems are generally classified into three
main classes: Manual Systems, Mechanical
Systems, Automated Systems

16
Manual System
A manual system consists of
hand tools and other aids
which are coupled by a human
operator who controls the
operation. Operators of such
systems use their own physical
energy as the power source.
The system could range from a
person with a hammer to a
person with a super-strength
giving exoskeleton.
17
Mechanical Systems
2.Mechanical Systems
(Semiautomatic):
Consisting of integrated
physical parts (such as
powered machine tools).
The function is performed
with little variation and the
power is provided by the
machine. The user usually
manipulates the control
devices.
18
Automated Systems
3.Automated Systems: All
operational functions are
performed with little or no
human intervention (such as
robots). But are they Human-
Machine Systems?
All automated systems require
humans to install, program,
reprogram, and maintain.
Hence, Automated systems
must be designed with the
same attention paid to manual
or mechanical systems.



19
Human sensors (receptors) record the physical state of the human body and the
surrounding environment. Sensory information is perceived by the human central
nervous system. Human cognition is required to interpret the perceived information and
generate a motor reaction. Similarly, in machines technical sensors detect the state of
the machine and its environment. Sensor data is processed in order to drive actuators
and displays. Human and machine can interact with each other via their sensory and
motor channels.
Humanmachine system
20
General Environment
Lighting: Thermal Conditions; noise; vibration
Display(s)
Artificial
Task
Output
(Real
Display)
Control(s)
Sensory
Mechanism
Central
Processor
Effector
mechanisms
Age
Training
Motivation
Mental and
Physical
Workload
Workplace design; controls and display design; posture
Immediate Environment
Feedback
21
The human machine systems consists of three
main systems
The first component : is the human component
which includes all human characteristics , like
anatomical, physiological and psychological
elements.

The second component : is the machine
component like chairs, tools and equipment
with which the human-being interacts
22
The third component: is the environment , it is
the place and the circumstances in which the
work is carried out and it includes physical and
social aspects

The physical aspects includes noise, vibration,
light, climate and chemical substance
The social aspects includes the family and the
surrounding people as colleges
23
environments
Machine
Human
24
N.B
The work space is the three dimension space
in which the work is carried out . This
required the study of the dimension of
machine and the dimension of the human
(anthropometry). It also needs knowledge
about the activities during work and work
rate
25
Simple and complex ergosystem
Simple ergosystem means one human and
one machine in the work environment


Complex ergosystem means one human
interact with different machines or several
humans use one machine
26
The output of the ergosystem
This output may arise directly from the machine
under human control or from the human
component when the decision is taken

The out put of ergosystem may itself be human
as in hospital whose output is cured patients
27
All ergosystems are communicated with each
other by their respective inputs and outputs

The output of a particular ergosystem may be
the input to other connected work systems or
vice versa
28
sense
CNS
MS
display
Central
processing
controls
INPUT
OUTPUT
HUMAN
MACHINE
29
In the human component of
ergosystem
The senses are the means of the input by which
the human is aware of the surrounding. We have
5 sense sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch and
other sense like balance, body position in space,
and sense of speed

The brain is the main information processing
centre in the human which contain low level
programs to control the basic sensorimotor work
activities and higher level cognitive processes
30
Which is responsible for planning , decision
making and problem solving activities of work
Physical and mental work need education,
training, energy and motivation.
The psychological aspects and motivation
support and sustain the working behavior

the effectors : are the systems by which
information is entered into a machine or passed
from one human to the other . They include
hands , feet , voice..
31
The machine component of the
ergosystem
Controls : the human interaction with the machine
depends on the presence of suitable controls
which are used by the effectors of the human as
the keyboard of the computer, handle of the tool.

The controlled process information system: is the
basic operation of the machine as central
processing unit of the computer and its controlled
by human .
32
Display : the output of the information system .
Like screen of the computer


33
Strategies in the design of an ideal
HMS
The purpose of the ergonomics is to enable the
ergosystem to function better by improving the
interactions between the human component and
other components .
Most strategies concerned with human
component but the other component play a role .
Human error are often attributed to the design of
the work space which do not take the
characteristics and limitation of the human into
account
There are four main strategies
Which are considered important in the design of
an ideal HMS.

These are classified into reducing stress , designing
the machines, matching the job demands with
the people abilities and improving the peoples
knowledge about their environment .
35
The first strategy : concerned with stress which
either physical or mental

Poor designed equipment may make subject to
assumed bad posture that will make abnormal
stress on the subject

when this stress exceed the subject tolerance and
limits, the performance and the productivity will
decline and the safety and health of subject will
deteriorate
36
The second strategy : is concerned with the
design .

Machines and equipments should be design with
the human characteristics in the mind

Good matching between the machine dimensions
and the human characteristics will help the
subjects to do their job easily safely and
efficiently
37
The third strategy : aims to match the job
demands with the people abilities both physical
and behavioral to ensure a safe and productive
life style.
So
If the demands of specific task can be matched
with human abilities optimal work
environment
If the humans abilities exceed the task demand
safer human-machine system
38
If the demands exceed the human abilities
case injuries and health problems
will takes place
Task Demands
Human Abilities
unsafe
safe
balance
39
The fourth strategy is to educate and physically
train people to improve their knowledge and
awareness of their environment by proper motor
learning which is a set of learning associated with
practice and experiences .

That leads to relatively permanent changes in the
capabilities or skilled performance
40
Two concepts are used 1- fit man to job like
pilot who drive fight airplane . this need highly
qualified person

2- fit job to man like carrying objects , it does
not much training
41
History and Economic Benefits
Taylor scientific management
Hawthrone studies
Ergonomics Tool Kit
Validity - Does the tool measure what it is intended to
Reliability Does the tool give the same result always
Sensitivity Tool able to resolve differences i.e., differentiate
Diagnosticity-Tool has sufficient detail to provide info about reasons
Intrusiveness Can the tool be used without disrupting the reasons
Acceptability- Is the tool acceptable for general use
Assessment of cost- both financial and human resources
Efficacy- working under ideal conditions
Effectiveness- working under required conditions
Efficiency- Will it save more resources
42
Goals of Ergonomics
Ergonomics is rarely a goal in itself. Safety, Operator
satisfaction and productivity are the goals.
Ergonomics is a design methodology for achieving
the above.
The safety status of the system may be assessed by
comparing the performance requirement of the
environment and the performance limitation of the
operator.
For example: In a nuclear power plant, safety and
production of electricity are two self-evident goals
and together they determine the design of the plant.
43
44
Safety aspect


46
Productivity and Satisfaction
Industrial managers often expect employees to work more
quickly with fewer quality errors. However, research has
shown that people cannot simultaneously reduce errors and
increase speed. In general, the greater the speed (of vehicles,
production machinery, etc.) the less time an operator has to
react, and as a result he or she will make more errors. Shorter
work cycles improve productivity but compromise safety.
Various aspects of dissatisfaction are also considered, such as
job dissatisfaction and consumer dissatisfaction. It is
important to note that satisfaction as well as dissatisfaction
may be understood only if the operators or users needs are
clearly understood. Different people have different needs and
different expectations, and these vary substantially between
countries and cultures.

47
Brain and its functions
48
Classification of Auditory Display
Application orientation- Alarms

User orientation- Context to particular application
domain- tools used by blind people while walking-
changes in tone of speaker helps listener

Sound Orientation- Vehicle guidance, cinema,
medicine, mobile phones
50
Application oriented classifications

Functional Objectives
State and internal information
Functions of subsystem components
Intent communication
Request for human inputs
Alarms and Warnings
Urgency, Distinctiveness, Arousal
Appeal of products
Desired emotional impressions
51
User Oriented Classifications
52
User Classes
Different jobs, tasks, allocations & responsibilities
Operators, Engineering and Managers
Complementary sounds from team members
Communication with individual preferences and needs
Depending on capabilities, impairments, tasks and environments
Sighted and blind users
Transforming data and graphics into auditory display
Individual user capabilities
Experts, novices and occasional users
Practice and quality of hearing sense
Non musicians Vs musicians
Human errors

Sound Oriented Classification
53
Speech
Artificial Speech
Recording Vs Synthesis
Non Speech Sounds
Natural
Artificial
Music
Sound effects
Sound Symbols (Earcons)
Provide specific meaning content
Created with computers and synthesis


User Centered Development of AD
54
Design aim of human-machine interaction
Human centeredness (user orientation)
Emphasizes the psycho-physiological (response to stimulii) and
cognitive (learning, memory) functions of human behavior
Emphasizes the individual differences between users
User modelling
Views of designers and users may be different
Task orientation
Like a top-down principle for overall purposeful
achievements


55