There are quite a few sciences, the operating time of which should positively affect efficiency. So, the most highly advertised ones are management (labor organization) and marketing (promotion of goods or services). You can continue for a long time. But there are also those about which only specialists heard. And such concerns ergonomics. As a science, this is often an obviously underestimated discipline. Within the framework of the article, a definition will be given to it, directions and implementation will be examined in practice. It can be said that there are short ergonomic basics. So, let's get down to the topic of the article.
What is ergonomics and what does it study?
This is called scientific discipline, which deals with the features of interaction between people and various elements of systems, that is, it considers the labor process. There is also a profession of ergonomics. People with it must have knowledge of the theory, laws, data and design methods that ultimately can ensure human health and optimize the overall functioning of the system. Ergonomics is quite important in the design process. It assesses tasks, jobs, products, the environment and systems in order to harmonize everything with respect to the needs, abilities and physical capabilities of people. Here we will take a garbage dump. If we put it within a city (or even in a residential array), then we will:
- Pay more environmental taxes.
- Solve problems with dissatisfied people.
And this is at least. Therefore, purely from the point of view of efficiency and lesser problems, it would be better for us to place a garbage dump outside the city. Thus, we also fulfill the requirements of ergonomics. As a result, the task is completed, and with a high result.
What are the directions of ergonomics?
Since the discipline we are considering is system-oriented (that is, it covers all aspects and studies the nuances of human activity), then for a better understanding and effectiveness it was divided into separate directions. Despite this, ergonomics uses and actively develops a holistic approach that involves consideration and consideration of cognitive (mental), physical, organizational, social and many other important factors. Ergonomist-practitioner should have a broad erudition in all the above areas (at least). Therefore, people of such a profession are often prepared to work in a specific sector of the economy (or subject area, if we talk about science). Ergonomists constantly have to evolve in their skills and abilities. After all, new directions are being created, and the old ones are getting development prospects. Despite a wide variety of factors, the possibilities and requirements of ergonomics have been compiled in three areas:
- Physical.
- Thinking.
- Organizational.
Physical
It deals with the study and study of anthropometric, anatomical, biomechanical and physiological characteristics, as well as the peculiarities of their influence on the physical activity of the worker. She works out the poses of tasks, monotonous movements, loading / unloading of something, layout of the functional place, health and safety of personnel. This area of ergonomics should do everything possible to avoid negative consequences for the person due to labor activity or to minimize them. As an example, you can lead to musculoskeletal disorders that arise when you work long hours at the computer. To do this, a special assessment of the workplaces and the comfort of performing the functions by the staff behind them can be carried out.
Thinking
This area is closely related to various thought processes. She pays attention to such human qualities as memory, perception, reasoning and motor reaction. Also, processes of interaction between a person and other elements of the system with which he works are also being studied. A study of the mental load, how decisions are made, works that require high qualification are carried out. Person's reliability, its interaction with various techniques are also studied, and a decision is made about the necessary professional training and readiness to withstand work stress. A special assessment of workplaces is needed to ensure that the decision-making process is not affected by third-party processes. So, knocking behind the wall presses are not suitable for the design and engineering office, and it is necessary to take care that there are better conditions. That's what ergonomics is in practice. But that's not all.
Organizational
So, we continue to find out what ergonomics is, and we come to the third, already final, area. She is engaged in the optimization of socio-technical systems. Organizational ergonomics studies the issues of structure, politics and processes. This is achieved by influencing labor resources, project activities, teamwork, communication, remote work and monitoring quality and making appropriate decisions.
On practice
What is ergonomics in reality? In fact, this is a very time consuming process, since it deals not only with quality improvement issues, but also with the implementation of the developments. Imagine that there is a new technology that will improve the economic efficiency of the enterprise by using fewer resources. For you it is clear, but the higher authorities still need to prove it. Calculate everything with the help of formulas, depict on the diagrams, where, what and how to place and watch, so that everything was done the way it should.