IOP2603
Combined Tut201
Letters
Assignment
Feedback
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Tutorial Letter 201/3/2021
Ergonomics
IOP2603
Semester 1& 2
Department of Industrial and Organisational
Psychology
This tutorial letter contains feedback on the assignments for the
semester and guidelines on the examination.
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
CONTENT
Page
1. FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENTS .................................................................................3
1.1 Feedback on Assignment 01 .........................................................................................3
1.2 Feedback on Assignment 02 .........................................................................................6
2. PREPARATION FOR THE EXAMINATION ..................................................................8
2.1 Meaning of the action words in questions ................................................................................. 8
2.2 Format of the examination paper ...................................................................................9
3. STUDENT SUPPORT .................................................................................................19
3.1 myUnisa ................................................................................................................................. 19
3.2 Contact with lecturer .............................................................................................................. 19
2
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Dear Student
This tutorial letter contains feedback on Assignments 01 and 02 for 2021. Assignments 01 and 02 were
compulsory.
We also provide guidelines to help you with your preparation for the examination.
Lastly, we would also like to take the opportunity to remind you of some student support systems
available to you.
1. FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENTS
1.1 Feedback on Assignment 01
This assignment was marked individually, and you were given specific feedback if you submitted it.
QUESTION 1
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and also explain why it is known as an
interdisciplinary subject. (15)
A number of definitions are provided Lesson 1 and the prescribed chapter by the ILO. You need to learn
to understand and explain different parts of the definition. See especially the feedback to the specific
activity just before the section that discusses the focus of ergonomics, where we provide you with a
definition by the International Ergonomics Association:
Scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other
elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in
order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.
Design may refer to drawing, creating or inventing tools, machines, appliances or even the workplace.
We sometimes refer to some designer clothes as being very poorly designed because of the shape of
the collar or buttons, or even to tools as very poorly designed because they are difficult to use; we
suggest that if only the designer had done something different, using the garment or tool would be
easier. This may tell us about the difficulty of designing tools, machines, appliances and the workplace.
Helander (2006, p. 3) reminds us: In designing a workplace, the existing situation must first be analysed,
new design solutions must be synthesized, and these design solutions must be analysed again.
Your observation that a workplace or tool is difficult to use reveals that you have carried out some
analysis or scrutiny of the existing situation, even if only cursorily. The fact that you are able to say that
if things were done in a different way, it would be easier to use the tools or workplace also reveals that
you have thought about new solutions. You might not have been systematic in your assessment and
suggestion of possible solutions. Maybe you should think again and subject the solutions you are
suggesting to further scrutiny. By thinking again about new solutions, you are analysing the design
solutions again. You are following a procedure, although it might not be as organised and methodical
as it could be.
HFE is an interdisciplinary subject because it uses data or information from many related sciences to
further the aims and objectives of HFE. It uses information from biological sciences such as anatomy
and physiology; behavioural sciences such as psychology and sociology; physical sciences such as
physics and chemistry.
The interdisciplinary approach is essential for the following reasons: (a) to formulate systems goals; (b)
to understand functional requirements; (c) design new systems; (4) analyse a system; (5) to implement
a system.
3
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Interdisciplinary means pertaining to more than one subject. Ergonomics uses an interdisciplinary
approach because it applies information or data from many related sciences to further the focus and
objective of ergonomics.
Helander (2006, p. 5) says that pilots may be confused if the model of an aircraft is very different from
the old model, they may revert to control behaviour for the old aircraft, particularly under stressful
conditions. Think of tools, facilities or systems that have been redesigned. To what extent do they
resemble the old versions? In answering this question, it is important that you remember that in
designing and redesigning we have to formulate systems goals. The formulated systems goals will guide
the design or redesign of tools or facilities.
We are certain that you now have a very good understanding of what ergonomics is.
QUESTION 2
Discuss the changes that take place in the eye when you get older and the implications of those changes
in the workplace. Also discuss which other aspects need to be considered when designing or adapting
a workplace for the older worker. (20)
See Lesson 2 which refers you to section 4.11 The aging eye in Helander (2006). In summary:
Changes that takes place in the eye when one gets older
The lenses loose focusing power
The lenses lose some of their elasticity
The eye cannot bulge or flatten as much as before
The average accommodation drops from 11 dioptres (when around 25 years old) to 2 dioptres
(50 years) and 1 dioptre (65 years)
Number of dioptres translate into rays of clear vision
There is clouding of vision because of age.
This causes the older people to be sensitive to glare sources or stray illumination
The contrast on the retina decreases
The implications of these changes in the work place
The different range of vision affects:
visibility of the task
work posture; for poor vision or myopic, the person will move closer and for hyperopic (far
vision), individuals will move further away.
Poor work posture observed in industry is often due to vision
If vision is corrected with glasses, posture may be corrected
Some companies hire optometrists to help the employees
Ergonomist should attempt to minimise stray illumination and glare.
You should also refer to the figures in Helander (2006) and mentioned in the feedback to the activity
(just before indirect or reflected light).
4
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
QUESTION 3
Principles of HFE can be used to redesign a system to make it more productive and safer. Discuss
design improvements that can be undertaken to improve workplace safety. (15)
This question is open and requires you to think outside the normal parameters set by the assessment
criteria. You can discuss any of the following main topics, but you have to apply them in the context of
the question.
designing for vision and illumination
human information processing
design of controls, displays and symbols
anthropometry in workstation design
work posture, or designing of fit body posture
manual materials handling
repetitive motion injury and design of hand tools
noise and vibration
Specific topics that are normally discussed are listed on page 16 of the study guide:
illumination levels (and glare)
special lighting for special tasks
job rotation and shift overlap
personal music
ergonomic chairs
operator communication and feedback
material handling
automation of monotonous jobs
housekeeping
noise reduction
ergonomic training
continuous flow manufacturing
evaluation of safety equipment
Other topics that come to mind are:
emergency controls
effect of vibration
use of warning signs and symbols
manual materials handling – especially lifting
designing to fit body posture / special populations
working in confined spaces and awkward postures
task allocation between machine and human
enhancing vigilance
The above is not an exhaustive list and you were credited if you discussed other relevant topics.
TOTAL: [50]
5
Combined Tut201
Letters
Assignment
Feedback
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Tutorial Letter 201/3/2021
Ergonomics
IOP2603
Semester 1& 2
Department of Industrial and Organisational
Psychology
This tutorial letter contains feedback on the assignments for the
semester and guidelines on the examination.
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
CONTENT
Page
1. FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENTS .................................................................................3
1.1 Feedback on Assignment 01 .........................................................................................3
1.2 Feedback on Assignment 02 .........................................................................................6
2. PREPARATION FOR THE EXAMINATION ..................................................................8
2.1 Meaning of the action words in questions ................................................................................. 8
2.2 Format of the examination paper ...................................................................................9
3. STUDENT SUPPORT .................................................................................................19
3.1 myUnisa ................................................................................................................................. 19
3.2 Contact with lecturer .............................................................................................................. 19
2
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Dear Student
This tutorial letter contains feedback on Assignments 01 and 02 for 2021. Assignments 01 and 02 were
compulsory.
We also provide guidelines to help you with your preparation for the examination.
Lastly, we would also like to take the opportunity to remind you of some student support systems
available to you.
1. FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENTS
1.1 Feedback on Assignment 01
This assignment was marked individually, and you were given specific feedback if you submitted it.
QUESTION 1
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and also explain why it is known as an
interdisciplinary subject. (15)
A number of definitions are provided Lesson 1 and the prescribed chapter by the ILO. You need to learn
to understand and explain different parts of the definition. See especially the feedback to the specific
activity just before the section that discusses the focus of ergonomics, where we provide you with a
definition by the International Ergonomics Association:
Scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other
elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in
order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.
Design may refer to drawing, creating or inventing tools, machines, appliances or even the workplace.
We sometimes refer to some designer clothes as being very poorly designed because of the shape of
the collar or buttons, or even to tools as very poorly designed because they are difficult to use; we
suggest that if only the designer had done something different, using the garment or tool would be
easier. This may tell us about the difficulty of designing tools, machines, appliances and the workplace.
Helander (2006, p. 3) reminds us: In designing a workplace, the existing situation must first be analysed,
new design solutions must be synthesized, and these design solutions must be analysed again.
Your observation that a workplace or tool is difficult to use reveals that you have carried out some
analysis or scrutiny of the existing situation, even if only cursorily. The fact that you are able to say that
if things were done in a different way, it would be easier to use the tools or workplace also reveals that
you have thought about new solutions. You might not have been systematic in your assessment and
suggestion of possible solutions. Maybe you should think again and subject the solutions you are
suggesting to further scrutiny. By thinking again about new solutions, you are analysing the design
solutions again. You are following a procedure, although it might not be as organised and methodical
as it could be.
HFE is an interdisciplinary subject because it uses data or information from many related sciences to
further the aims and objectives of HFE. It uses information from biological sciences such as anatomy
and physiology; behavioural sciences such as psychology and sociology; physical sciences such as
physics and chemistry.
The interdisciplinary approach is essential for the following reasons: (a) to formulate systems goals; (b)
to understand functional requirements; (c) design new systems; (4) analyse a system; (5) to implement
a system.
3
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
Interdisciplinary means pertaining to more than one subject. Ergonomics uses an interdisciplinary
approach because it applies information or data from many related sciences to further the focus and
objective of ergonomics.
Helander (2006, p. 5) says that pilots may be confused if the model of an aircraft is very different from
the old model, they may revert to control behaviour for the old aircraft, particularly under stressful
conditions. Think of tools, facilities or systems that have been redesigned. To what extent do they
resemble the old versions? In answering this question, it is important that you remember that in
designing and redesigning we have to formulate systems goals. The formulated systems goals will guide
the design or redesign of tools or facilities.
We are certain that you now have a very good understanding of what ergonomics is.
QUESTION 2
Discuss the changes that take place in the eye when you get older and the implications of those changes
in the workplace. Also discuss which other aspects need to be considered when designing or adapting
a workplace for the older worker. (20)
See Lesson 2 which refers you to section 4.11 The aging eye in Helander (2006). In summary:
Changes that takes place in the eye when one gets older
The lenses loose focusing power
The lenses lose some of their elasticity
The eye cannot bulge or flatten as much as before
The average accommodation drops from 11 dioptres (when around 25 years old) to 2 dioptres
(50 years) and 1 dioptre (65 years)
Number of dioptres translate into rays of clear vision
There is clouding of vision because of age.
This causes the older people to be sensitive to glare sources or stray illumination
The contrast on the retina decreases
The implications of these changes in the work place
The different range of vision affects:
visibility of the task
work posture; for poor vision or myopic, the person will move closer and for hyperopic (far
vision), individuals will move further away.
Poor work posture observed in industry is often due to vision
If vision is corrected with glasses, posture may be corrected
Some companies hire optometrists to help the employees
Ergonomist should attempt to minimise stray illumination and glare.
You should also refer to the figures in Helander (2006) and mentioned in the feedback to the activity
(just before indirect or reflected light).
4
, IOP2603/201/3/2021
QUESTION 3
Principles of HFE can be used to redesign a system to make it more productive and safer. Discuss
design improvements that can be undertaken to improve workplace safety. (15)
This question is open and requires you to think outside the normal parameters set by the assessment
criteria. You can discuss any of the following main topics, but you have to apply them in the context of
the question.
designing for vision and illumination
human information processing
design of controls, displays and symbols
anthropometry in workstation design
work posture, or designing of fit body posture
manual materials handling
repetitive motion injury and design of hand tools
noise and vibration
Specific topics that are normally discussed are listed on page 16 of the study guide:
illumination levels (and glare)
special lighting for special tasks
job rotation and shift overlap
personal music
ergonomic chairs
operator communication and feedback
material handling
automation of monotonous jobs
housekeeping
noise reduction
ergonomic training
continuous flow manufacturing
evaluation of safety equipment
Other topics that come to mind are:
emergency controls
effect of vibration
use of warning signs and symbols
manual materials handling – especially lifting
designing to fit body posture / special populations
working in confined spaces and awkward postures
task allocation between machine and human
enhancing vigilance
The above is not an exhaustive list and you were credited if you discussed other relevant topics.
TOTAL: [50]
5
