ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is about matching equipment to the user and the task to the worker.
Another term used overseas for ergonomics is human factors. To apply ergonomics
we need to know about human capabilities, and, of equal importance, what
the person is trying to achieve.
The person who has an expertise in ergonomics is called an Ergonomist.
HUMAN
SIZE
A fundamental issue in ergonomics is size. Humans come in a range
of sizes. Not only are there those of us who are tall and short or
thin and wide, there are those who have small hands, others with a
long reach etc.
When choosing equipment, the size range of that part of the person
using the product needs to be assessed. For example, for a computer
mouse hand size is important not the person's height.
Ergonomists consider the person who is likely to be most disadvantaged
by the design choice. For example, if we are designing fixed desk
height the larger lower leg lengths are considered - everyone smaller
will be able to fit under the desk. For a depth of a shelf the people
to consider are those with the smaller reaches.
To make practical decisions about size, ergonomists generally consider
the middle 90% of the population. For any given dimension, e.g. hand
length, the 5th percentile and the 95th percentile are examined.
The size of the 5th percentile person for that dimension is as big
or bigger than 5 percent of the population (small), while the size
of the 95th percentile person is as large or larger than 95 percent
of the population (large). |
|
 |
