EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The science of ergonomics is related to the characteristics of the work that is performed, the implements that are used, the bodily posture that is maintained and the workplace setting. . The objective of ergonomics is to ensure that individuals are comfortable, and less likely to incur work related injuries. Ergonomics in the workplace involves adapting the details of the task to the worker instead of making the worker adapt to the work. The most frequently encountered injuries that take place in the workplace are musculoskeletal dysfunctions. The risk factors that cause the scientific review of ergonomics in the workplace involve extended periods of time while maintaining uncomfortable or inefficient bodily postures, pushing heavy lifting and forceful exertions. The amount of hazard of the potential for muscular stress is reliant on the exposure, frequency and intensity of the activities. There are a number of manners that workplace injuries can be avoided. Some of the methods that could be applied are implementing the correct posture when engaging in heavy lifting or pushing. Minimizing the number of movements that are required to complete a task and ensuring that the machinery are ergonomically considered. . In the creation of an ergonomically designed environment at work, the number of injuries will be decreased. This report will review ergonomics in the workplace from the perspectives of Bridger (2008), Kardula (2000), Maynard (2004), Olla and Kolade (2014) and Park (1989).
Purpose
The purpose of this rep[ort is to review the application of ergonomics in the Loew’s warehouse and determine approaches that can be applied in order to minimize musculoskeletal injuries that are incurred by the employees in the workplace. The research problem that will be explored is the application of ergonomics in order to reduce the number of movements and the stress incurred by the musculoskeletal systems of the employees in performing tasks in warehouse environments (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).
Background
The ergonomics of human aspects is the field of study that pertains to the comprehension of the interactions of the elements of a working system and the humans in the work setting. The field of study applies theoretical concepts, methods and data in its design. This design is performed in order to optimize the wellbeing of the humans and production. The ergonomics practitioners are contributors to the design and assessment of tasks and endeavors organizations, products, systems and environments that are required in order to make the workplace more compatible with the limitations, skills and abilities of the employees (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).
Scope
The word ergonomics is derived from the Greek word ergon and the suffix nomos which denotes a science that is dedicated to work. The field of ergonomics is a discipline that is systems oriented that can be applied to all human endeavors. The student of ergonomics must have a wide comprehension of the discipline, while considering the application, economic social, organizational, physical and cognitive factors. Ergonomics is frequently directed toward specific domains or economic sectors. These economic sectors and applications are not exclusive and are in a state of constant evolution. In the discipline of ergonomics, there are specific specializations (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).
Scope
In the 18th century, physicians observed that the employees whose occupations had the requisites of their maintenance of particular body positions for extended periods of time produced musculoskeletal problems. In the past several years, research has demonstrated the association with specific employment tasks and repetitive stress injuries or RSI. Fredrick Winslow Taylor created the scientific method in ergonomics (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).The number of people who incur traumatic injuries has been assessed at 3.8 million people per year. The estimated direct and indirect costs that are associated with traumatic injuries incurred at the workplace is $192 billion. The most frequently occurring injuries that are incurred by employees in the workplace are musculoskeletal injuries. (CDC 1). A number of these injuries could have been prevented by the application of ergonomics in the workplace (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).
The scientific method that was proposed by Taylor was intended to reduce the amount of work that was applied in order to complete an assumed endeavor. Taylor discovered that the amount of coal that was being shovel led by employees could be increased by gradually decreasing the size of the shovels that were applied. This experiment was conducted until the optimal rate of shoveling had been attained. Taylor’s scientific method was expended in the twentieth century by the Gibreth family in order to optimize the work of brick layers. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth discovered that by removing the unrequired steps and actions of bricklayers from eighteen motions to four and a half motions, the bricklayers increased their production by 300% (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3).
There are two elements that should be considered. These elements are force and static work. Static work is referenced by the amount of musculoskeletal effort that is required in order to sustain a specific body position. In the circumstance of working at a computer, the maintenance of the torso, neck and head has the requisite of large amounts of static work or small amounts of static work (Bridger 7; Kardula 332; Maynard 314; Olla & Kolade 15; Park 3). This characteristic is reliant on the efficiency of the physical position that is selected. The amount of stress that is generated by the muscular system is referenced as force. The inclining of the head in a forward position of the inclination of the head backwards from an upright position causes a multiplication of the forces that are acting upon the neck and the vertebra. The augmentation of this force is correlated with the muscular tension that is required for maintaining the head in an inclined position (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4).
Using the Alexander Technique for Ergonomics
The science of ergonomics reviews the human capacities with regards to work demands. Recently, the ergonomists have attempted to delineate postures that decrease the quantity of static work and diminish the physical force that act upon the human body. These are a few principles that should be observed in the Alexander technique: The activities of work should enable the employee to apply a few distinct and equally healthful postures. In the event that the muscular force should be extorted, the force should be applied by the most appropriate and largest groups of muscles. The activities associated with work should be conducted with the body joints at their middle position of motion. These requisites are applicable to the upper limbs, trunk and head (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4).
In this circumstance of the study of ergonomics, there is a challenge. In order to implement these recommendations; an individual would be required to be an adept observer of their proprietary muscle and joint movements. In addition, the observer would require the capacity of being able to modify their physical position to a more healthful position. In order to apply ergonomics, the physical bodies must be observed in a novel perspective (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4)
The Alexander technique is not a novel implementation. It was developed in the early decades of the twentieth century prior to the recognition of ergonomics as an applied science. The Alexander technique demonstrates the manner by which people are misusing their muscles and joints. In addition, the Alexander technique demonstrates the manner by which the daily working habits can cause harm to the employee. Ergonomics instructs individuals the way to avoid harmful working habits that are the causal attribute of excessive quantities of static work. In addition, ergonomics instructs the manner by which the amount of unnecessary force that is exerted by the muscles (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4).
In a lesson of the Alexander technique, the students start to perceive deep physical changes by means of the guidance of an instructor. These modifications are the outcome of the decrease in the quantity of static work requirements and force. In the course of the students learning, the Alexander technique, the students begin to observe that they feel more at ease conducting daily activities that include typing, sitting, standing and lifting. This ease of motion takes place due to the attribute of the students’ learning the ways in which static work can d be decreased and the applied force that is within their muscles can be optimized (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4).
The learners of the Alexander technique have dociument4edrf an enhanced perception of self confidence in the workplace as they gain mastery of the manner by which to avoid repetitive stress injuries. The increased perceptions of self-efficacy and a renewed perspective on the manners by which to avoid physical injuries is one of the contributors to a mental state that manifests less anxiety, increased resilience and is provides the employee with a more efficient way of working (Bridger 9; Kardula 335; Maynard 316; Olla & Kolade 20; Park 4.
Cognitive Ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics is also detailed as engineering psychology pertains to the processes of memory retrieval, memory storage, motor control perception, cognition and attention. . The pertinent topics in this field are the mental workload, training, human error skilled production vigilance and decision making. Cognitive ergonomics reviews the association between the human cognitive capacities, the machinery, tasks and limitations and environment (Kardula 336).
CONCLUSION
The application of ergonomics can reduce the number of stress related injuries that take place in a work environment. The optimal posture for achieving a task can be realized by studying the motions of the muscles and the joints of the human body. Ergonomics can increase productivity while reducing work related injuries. In addition, ergonomics can offer the employees better health, increased confidence and reduced anxiety
Works Cited
Bridger, Robert. Introduction to ergonomics .Second edition. New York, NY: Routledge, 2008. Print.
CDC. “Traumatic occupational injuries.” CDC, 2014. Web. 27 November 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury
Kardula, Srinvas. Human Resource management with 300 models, techniques and tools. New Delhi, India: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.
Maynard, Harold B. “16 Continuing research in Gilbreth’s method.” In M.C. Wood and J. C. Wood (Eds.), Critical evaluations in business and management, Volume 1. (313- 317). New York, NY: Routledge, 2004. Print.
Olla, John Oluwafemi and Akinayo O. Kolade. Ergonomics: an important tool for o organizational success. Lulu Books, 2014. Print.
Park, Glen. A new approach to the alexander technique: Moving toward a more balanced e expression of the whole self. Glen Park, 1989. Print.
