Lab+Assignment+Five


 * Write three paragraphs to define the term 'ergonomics'. (3 paragraphs)**

The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as the “scientific discipline concerned with the interactions among humans and other elements to optimize human well-being and workers’ performance” (“Ergonomics”). Ergonomics is employed to fulfill the two goals of human health and productivity. It is relevant in the design of such things as easy-to-use interfaces to machines.

Ergonomics helps create a less stressful and more comfortable working environment to maximize workers’ productivity. For example, in the video, ergonomics helps fulfill workers’ needs of comfort by designing a “liberty chair” that is easy to adjust the human body movement. Such designs fully free the workers from stress and increase their productivity.

Obviously proper ergonomics designs are necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries resulting from repeating the same movement for a long period of time. Ergonomic designs are remarkable in terms of our everyday activity, considering that they take human needs into consideration and satisfy these needs by providing comfort and safety in the working environment.

Who was Frank Therblig, and how did he utilize 'motion study'? (2 paragraphs)**
 * What is the 'Gilbreth system of motion analysis' (1 paragraph)

Gilbreth’s system of motion analysis is based on the study of brick layering. By studying the motion of every brick of a worker’s task, Gilbreth developed the analysis to help save workers’ working energy thus to increase work productivity by scientifically examining a specific work task to make the outcome more productive and efficient.

Frank Therblig designed, based on the system of studying, timing, and analyzing the motions of bricklayering of workers, a motion study aimed at efficiently increase the productivity of manual tasks. He examined the most efficient way of layering bricks and his findings led him to create the motion study.

With his experiences in bricklayering, Therblig found out that brick layering workers had wasted some energy bending down to pick up the brick. He then invented a better method of layering bricks with a raising platform. This invention then reduced the workers’ energy of doing the task and thus increased productivity.


 * Describe three categories Frank Gerblith used in the Therblig Analysis Checklist.**


 * Reach and Move: this category in the Therblig analysis examines how workers’ energy used in a particular task such as reaching and moving objects could be reduced if the distances of moving objects are shortened or if the time used in moving these objects are reduced or if a specific machine could be used to minimize workers’ physical energy input. **


 * Select: in this category of the analysis, the main focus is to eliminate unnecessary procedures of selecting parts by arranging and storing the common parts in the same bin or using standardized tools to increase efficiency on the selecting task. **


 * Rest to Overcome Fatigue: Gilbreth particularly considered the workers’ needs of conserving physical energy by resting. This category aims to properly design and use physical objects to allow more time for the workers to rest and give them more comforts. It improves the working conditions by using specific machinery and analyzing particular movement and need of the human body. **

Reference: "Ergonomics." //The Free Encyclopedia.// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomics