IOP2603 LATEST EXAM PACK

IOP2603 LATES1.1 Feedback on Assignment 01 for Semester 1 This assignment was marked individually and you were given more specific feedback if you submitted it. QUESTION 1 Discuss the major goals of Human Factor Ergonomics (HFE). Use relevant examples to illustrate your answer. (15) This a relatively straight forward question. Three goals of HFE can be distinguished, namely:  increased safety of the user or operator.  enhanced productivity.  operator satisfaction. The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to improve and maintain the wellbeing of the individual worker. The goals are summarised on pages 9 to 10 of your study guide, and a more detailed explanation is provided in Helander (2006, pp 14-16). You need to discuss all three of the goals and give examples. QUESTION 2 Discuss the ergonomic factors that have to be considered in designing for a standing operation. (10) DESIGNING FOR THE STANDING OPERATOR See study unit 6 in the study guide. In summary, Kroemer et al (2001, pp 347-350) considered the following: The most common reasons for standing at the workplace are, if • the operator has to cover a fairly large work area (walk around), • when considerable force must be exerted by the hands over a large area • strong expansive exertions under visual control are made. IOP2603/201/1/2019 4 The preferred working area is in front of the body, at elbow height, with arms hanging. The main reference point for determining the height of a workstation for a standing operator is the elbow height of the worker as the strongest hand forces and greatest hand mobility are between elbow and hip height. The height of the workstation thus depends largely on (1) the activities to be performed with the hands, and (2) the size of the object to be worked with. However, you should not require an operator to use a standing posture because of bad workstation design. Rather redesign the workstation. Other aspects that need to be considered are: • Is there sufficient room for the feet? Is there enough toe and knee space? • Is the floor flat and free of obstacles? • Does the floor have a non-slip surface? • Are there elastic floor mats or do the operators have soft rubber soles? • Is provision made for a backrest and foot support? • Are excessive bending, reaching or twisting motions of the trunk, avoided? • Are stand-seats/ stools supplied? • Are elevated platforms avoided to minimise the risk of falling down? The advantages of the standing position are: • free and dynamic use of arms and; • hands can move around very easily; • can develop large dynamic energies and impact forces. The disadvantages on the other hand are that (1) standingT EXAM PACK