Ergonomics

Abstract

This chapter sets out to examine the role of human beings in relation to the equipment they work with. In particular, we shall be concerned with the design of equipment to suit human needs and capacities, to improve perform ance and to minimise errors. In Section 5.2 we will consider basic concepts. This will be followed with a discussion (Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5) of the main principles involved in taking the human operator into account when designing equipment. This discussion will be in three parts based on the view of a human being as someone who (i) perceives, (ii) processes and (iii) acts on information presented to him. Consequently Section 5.3 concerns information displays in the equipment (for example, the lay-out and design of dials from which readings must be taken). Section 5.4 considers the relationship between the information load placed on the operator by the equipment and his capa city for processing it. Section 5.5 concerns the design of controls (such as the steering-wheel, gear lever or pedals of a car) for optimum human performance. The subsequent sections are concerned with the design of work methods, rules and procedures (Section 5.6) and with the over-all working environment (Section 5.7).