Ergonomics in Practice

Overview The application of good ergonomics is increasingly viewed as business critical. Organisations need to take account of good ergonomics at every stage of the process lifecycle - from commissioning new equipment, through routine use to its final decommissioning. Good ergonomics is about optimising the relationship between people and their whole work environment. It considers the people themselves, the jobs they do, the tools they use and the environment they use them in, as well as asking the fundamental question, why are people doing the job this way? The course will help delegates understand ergonomics and provide them with a range of tools that can be used to promote safe working. The course provides delegates with a practical insight as to how ergonomics should be applied in their place of work. The course is highly practical and is based around exercises requiring delegates to participate and to apply what they have learned. The course is also run as part of the Professional Development Programme offered by the Institution for Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH), the lead professional body for safety in Europe. Learning Objectives After the courses delegates will be able to: · understand how to conduct a simple ergonomics survey · how to apply a range of tools and techniques for analysing the way people work · apply ergonomics principles and integrate these into existing policies and procedures · understand the factor that lead to the development of musculo-skeletal injuries and how to manage the factors · work as part of an ergonomics improvement team to ensure that better ergonomics is applied throughout the workplace Outline Programme - to be tailored to specific local requirements/key concerns
Day 1
· Introduction to ergonomics
· Designing a production line
· The components of ergonomics
· Environmental ergonomics
· Upper limbs - the risks and how to avoid them
· Usability issues in design - car design

Day 2
· Anthropometry practical
· Backs - the risks and how to avoid them
· Health & safety Law - the ergonomics implications
· Stakeholder analysis
· Task analysis
· Controls and displays
· Workstation design
· Work equipment design
· Usability issues in design - chair practical

Day 3
· Organisational issues
· Practical - applying the tools and techniques
· Presentation
· Other ergonomics issues
· legal claims
· "hot topics"
· Conclusions
· Where do we go from here - ACTION PLANNING