Ergonomics

I. Introduction
What is ergonomics?
“make the job fit the worker, instead of forcing the worker to fit the job”
Nowadays, there are still many jobs that must be done manually, involving heavy physical damage. One of the results of manual work is that more and more workers are suffering from backaches, neck aches, sore wrists, arms and legs, and eyestrain.
Ergonomics is the study of work in relation to the environment in which it is performed (workplace) and those who perform it (workers).
It is used to: * Determine how the workplace can be designed or adapted to the worker * Prevent a variety of health problems * Increase efficiency
A specialist in ergonomics, called an ergonomist, studies the relation between the worker, the workplace and the job design.
One simple example is raising the height of a work table so that the worker does not have to bend down unnecessarily to reach his or her work.
There are obvious benefits of applying ergonomics in the workplace: * Worker - healthier and safer working conditions * Employer - increased productivity.
Ergonomics encloses a wide variety of working conditions that can affect worker comfort and health, including factors such as: * Lighting, noise, temperature, vibration, workstation design, tool design, machine design, chair design and footwear * Work shifts, breaks and meal schedules
Ergonomics applies principles of biology, psychology, anatomy and physiology to remove from the work environment the conditions that may cause workers to experience discomfort, fatigue or poor health.
The large and increasing numbers of workers affected by poor work design makes ergonomics issues important. As a result of the importance and prevalence of health problems related to a lack of ergonomics at work, these issues have become points of negotiation for many unions.
Ergonomics can be used to prevent bad design from being built into a job if applied when a job, tools or workstations are being