1-Describe the relationship between proper ergonomic design and your workstation; include a real-world example. Explain how ergonomics, if not properly applied, can affect your life short-term or long-term. (Note: You may consider your study work station or your workstation at your place of employment.)
Ergonomics is, in fact, the study of the interaction of machines/applications, at the workplace, and human. Generally, at any workstation, humans, and machines interact to perform a task as per pre-defined standard. When this interaction of human resource and machine is ideal, it tends to produce excellent results. Therefore, studies emphasize that there must be an ideal interaction between human resource and machines. However, studies also reveal that continuous and robust interaction with the machine has a toll on the human body. A human body cannot interact, with a machine for prolonged periods, in any work environment. For instance, at my workstation, we have large printing machines, which run 16 hours. During these 16 hours, they require human to supervise their heat and inks. It is not possible for any human to continuously systematically observe and maintain the machine. With the experience and changes in design, periods have been developed during which an employee must check the statistics, on the screen, regarding heat and ink. It allows an individual to check machine every 40 minutes for 8 minutes. If there are any issues, regarding the working of the machine or its performance, they are addressed during that period.
Organizations, around the globe, are devising new strategies, methods, and techniques to ensure that machines simpler to maintain and they must not have toll over the body of humans/employees, which increases their capacity to perform better. When not properly applied, humans have to work continuously, which puts the body and mind under stress.
2-Amy works for a large variety store in your area. Her work tasks include standing at the cash register (checkout counter) for extended periods of time. She is responsible for scanning items and placing them into bags or the customer’s cart. Some of these items can be heavy. Describe some of the areas within this workstation where this employee could be injured. Describe what actions the employer might take to relieve some of these hazards.
We, humans, consume energy, whenever we are performing the task of any nature. Studies reveal that when we stand for prolonged periods, we are not only consuming energy to stand in particular position, but also we are putting out back and back muscles under stress. When we put any muscle of a body under stress for a long period, it starts to stiffen, and it also starts to affect other muscles of the body. As a result, our back hurts, and if it continues for a longer period, then it may cause other issues too, which not only related to the effective functioning of the body, but also related to mental effectiveness, behavior, and interactions.
From the information, we learn that Amy works in a variety store, where she needs to stand at a cashier for a long period. During this period, she not only scans items, but may also lift some heavy items, which may cause some challenges for the body.
We have already explained that when the body is performing a task, it is consuming energy. When a person stands for such long period, his/her energy reserves start to deplete, which makes his/her body vulnerable and prone to back pains. If Amy pulls a heavy object during this period, she may hurt her lower back, shoulder and thigh muscles. If she is allowed to walk and sit at regular intervals, during which she can also eat fruit, she may evade any physical problem or injury (Watson, 2017).
3-Adam, a 25-year-old Caucasian male, is an employee working in the automotive section of a large variety store. Using the tables found in Chapter 3, provide a hypothetical description of Adam that would place him in the 50th percentile for height, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index. Provide exact measurements for Adam, using the 50th percentile columns. Explain one area where these measurements might be of use for the employer as it relates to this employee.
To address this question, we need to see the table, which has been provided in Chapter 3. We learn that this table is based on data, which is sorted (mean/median/mode/percentile). From the information, which has been provided in this question, we know that Adam is a Caucasian male, who can easily fit in the 50th percentile. According to the table, the height, of Adam, in feet and inches is 5 feet and almost 10 inches. It is almost 6 feet, which is considered a long height. According to the survey, people, who are around 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weight around 196 pounds. The body index, of such person, with this height and weight, is 28.9, which is usually puts him in an overweight category (Bruso, 2017).
We also assume that the waist of the person would be around 33-36 inches. This information allows a company or organization to take better measures in the context of ergonomic. This measurement will be of great benefit regarding in deciding the interaction of employees with particular types of machines. For instance, a person with a particular height and body mass has particular physical qualities, and he is more suited to work with the particular type of machines. Also, this also allows devising an effective schedule for an employee of a particular type (Health-Calc, 2017).
References
Bruso, J. (2017, July 18). The Average Weight for Men Based on Height. Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/349345-the-average-weight-for-men-based-on-height/
Health-Calc. (2017, December 1). Waist to height ratio. Retrieved from https://www.health-calc.com/body-composition/waist-to-height-ratio
Watson, K. (2017, December 22). Standing for Long Periods. Retrieved from http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/standing-for-long-periods.html
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