Ergonomics limitations

None of the actual/potential human errors described in the examples above are subtle problems, nor do they relate to the technical intricacies of the human visual system, information processing etc. Equally no detailed understanding of hnman psychology, physiology or anatomy is needed to address what are essentially ergonomics limitations of the cmdest type. The fact that such fundamental limitations can and do create serious health and safety risks shows clearly that... 

LVHV nozzles can create problems that may be sufficiently severe as to prevent their use, usually in the form of ergonomic encumbrances and excessive noise. These problems can be dealt with, to limited extents, and LVHV applications can be effective. It must also be understood that dust control by 1..VHV systems is ultimately limited. No ventilation control measure can ensure sufficient worker protection down to extraordinatily low acceptable dust levels. Worker protection must always be confirmed by industrial hygiene monitoring and evaluation, and administrative control measures such as respiratory protection may be necessary. 

The first component of the systems approach to error reduction is the optimization of human performance by designing the system to support human strengths and minimize the effects of human limitations. The hiunan factors engineering and ergonomics (HFE/E) approach described in Section 2.7 of Chapter 2 indicates some of the techniques available. Design data from the human factors literature for areas such as equipment, procedures, and the human-machine interface are available to support the designer in the optimization process. In addition the analytical techniques described in Chapter 4 (e.g., task analysis) can be used in the development of the design. 

Human factors and ergonomics concern the ability of personnel to perform their job functions within the physical and mental capabilities or limitations of a human being. Human beings have certain tolerances and personal attitudes. Tolerances can be related to the ability to accept information, how quickly the information can be understood and the ability and speed to perform manual activities. When information is confusing, lacking or overtaxing, the ability to understand and act upon it quickly or effectively is absent. It is therefore imperative to provide concise, adequate and only pertinent information to do all the tasks associated with petroleum activities. This includes activities associated with emergency fire and explosion protection measures. 

Ergonomics - The study of the design requirements of work in relation to the physical and psychological capabilities and limitations of human beings. 

Ergonomics is a major concern with using isolators. There are limited choices in such things as isolator heights and isolator gloves, and the use of this equipment over an extended period of time can cause ergonomic difficulties. Some of these issues and strategies to address them are discussed below. 

The psychological and physiological limitations and capabilities constitute the ergonomics or human factors. It is the most important part of the occupational safety and health program. This is to evaluate personnel capabilities and improve human safety, comfort, and productivity in the workplace. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are the results of ergonomics and limitations of the human body to a sudden change or continuous working on a physical job, especially where most of the jobs are carried out manually. 

Workers who perform heavy physical work are subjected not only to forces and stresses from the immediate physical environment but also to mechanical forces generated from within the body. As a result of these forces and stresses, a strain is produced on the worker s musculoskeletal system as well as on other systems such as the cardiopulmonary system. One of the most important issues in the apphcation of ergonomics to work design is to reduce the stresses imposed on the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems (Ayoub and Mital 1989). Several approaches have been used by different investigators to estabhsh safe handling limits, including the psychophysical approach, the physiological approach, and the biomechanical approach. 

According to the Draft Standard, the employer should analyze the problem job to identify the ergonomic risk factors that result in MSD hazards. The employer should eliminate the MSD hazards, reduce them to the extent feasible, or materially reduce them using the incremental abatement process in the standard. If the MSD hazards only pose a risk to the employee with the covered MSD, the job hazard analysis and control can be limited to that individual employee s job. In such a case, the employer should ... 

Imrhan, S. N. (1999), Push-Pull Eorce Limits, in The Occupational Ergonomics Handbook, W. Karwowski and W. Marras, Eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 407-420. 

Shoaf, C., Genaidy, A., Karwowski, W., Waters, T., and Christensen, D., Comprehensive Manual Handling Limits for Lowering, Pushing, Pulling and Carrying Activities, Ergonomics, Vol. 40, No. 11, 1997, pp. 1183-1200. 

Vanderheiden, G. C. (1997), Design for People with Functional Limitations Resulting from Disability, Aging, or Circumstance, in Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2nd Ed., G. Salvendy, Ed., John Wiley Sons, New York, pp. 2010-2052. 

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