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Ergonomics in product development
international standards. However, J.M. Porter (Loughborough University) altering important terms in the complex presented a paper concerned with the PMV equation has little effect on the design of vehicle seating. He described overall prediction. When the PMV an evaluation for which the team only indicates that subjects are on average had one week's notice and possession comfortable, they actually rate their of the seat for only two weeks. He sensation as being between comfortable pointed out the need for a long (2% h) and slightly warm. A. Freivalds test period because different parts of (Pennsylvania State University) the body responded to discomfort at investigated the efficiency of shovelling. different times. The seat that subjects Based on energy expenditure measureusually used affected the n u m b e r of ments and subjective ratings optimum complaints (the better their usual seat lift angles were derived. Long handled the more they complained) as did the shovels were a good idea (used in the degree of interest of the user in other West Country for years, noted the tasks so that the more interest the Chairman). K.C. Parsons (Loughborough fewer the complaints. University) presented a laboratory Schopper and Mastroianni (US experiment which compared reactions Army Aeromedical Research of subjects to hot, neutral and cold Laboratory) provided a paper environments with those predicted concerned with helicopter control by a comprehensive computer model dynamics. The US Army had sexless of h u m a n response to thermal requirements for entry into flight environments. The model appeared school, one of which was height range most useful at predicting 'average' of 6 4 - 7 2 in (1626 1930 mm). After responses. However, it was not good at pressure this was changed for females predicting the responses of individuals. to a height range of 6 4 - 7 2 in (1626 It was interesting to note that this was 1829 ram. This admits the 5 t h - 9 9 t h only one of a number of papers in this percentile males but only the 5 0 t h session where Information Technology 99th percentile females. There was a developments are influencing the 19% degradation in the force available direction in which ergonomists will be to operate a control if more than one working in the future. control had to be moved at o n c e
Ergonomics and the design process Chairman: S. Brown (Open University) One is always suspicious when the opening 'speaker' says that he would like the audience to tell him what their expectations of the session are. [t often implies that the speaker has nothing prepared. However, this was not the case. An interesting discussion took place which included a description of the Open University course on design. This course " . . . although unorthodox is paradoxically ergonomically p a r a d i g n a t i c . . . "! An understanding of how non-ergonomist designers view their tasks would be useful. 'Quick and dirty' methods are still very useful to the ergonomist.
Human variability Chairman: D. Oborne (University Co/lege Swansea ) S.T. Pheasant (Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine) discussed individual differences in anthropometry. No pronounced changes in proportion during growth were noted for head dimensions between the sexes. There was no general rule on the age at which dimensional changes occur. Children tend to overshoot in development and not exhibit steady growth. He concluded with a hypothesis based on a study of 2000 subjects of whom 34 had died in five years which showed that the non-survivors had strikingly different body sizes to the survivors.
314
Applied Ergonomics
M. Shotton (Loughborough University) considered the effects of recent British seat belt legislation on those suffering from rheumatism, which is a bigger problem than is generally recognised as one million UK adults suffer from rheumatic diseases. Medical exemptions from wearing seat belts were rare, and the option of passengers travelling in the rear seat clid not overcome difficulties of getting into the back of cars. The loss of strength with rheumatism made pulling the belt across difficult. A new look at standards was needed as the hook-behind-the-bar type no longer conformed because two movements were involved yet there was no standard on the maximum insertion forces needed with the more common plug-in type. Problems ranged from reaching a stowed belt, through adjusting static belts, to the belt flyback effect on releasing the buckle. Problems were encountered in 95% tests. Should so many people be discouraged from driving by difficulties with the seat belts? M.J. Callan (Loughborough University) discussed user involvement in design. This session drew much laughter but merits much more serious consideration as a part of general ergonomics philosophy. The exercise stemmed from children's complaints about their furniture (perhaps they are less inhibited than adults about complaining) and they introduced some useful user-suggestions such as anticopying screens, local lighting, and the
December 1984
provision of storage space under the seat and a clothes hook on the back of the seat, both the last two being motivated from a dislike of the chaos caused from communal locker and coat rack installations. Other valid ideas included a turnover top for different working surfaces for different tasks, and a foam strip along the front to protect the knees. F o r those whose children left school a few years ago the requirements for built-in VDU and computer facilities were an eye-opener. To complete what had been an excellent sessmn, I.C. McClelland (ICE Loughborough) discussed the use of subjects to evaluate products. Problems which can occur were discussed and positive recommendations were made for data collection methods.
Ergonomics in product development Chairman:/.A.R. Galer (L oughborough University) W. Nijhuis (Delft University) discussed the use of visual aids in order to avoid mistakes in product development. C. Simmons (Xerox Research (UK) Ltd) discussed the design of information systems for users. The redesign of a Xerox photocopier made it more suitable for novice users. A most interesting paper o n the use of blood testing devices for diabetes was presented by J.L. Moses (Sheffield University). Most tests require matching of a colour chart. How do old people get on who may be visually impaired? One slide showed clearly the poor effect on the fingers of finger-prick devices for blood tests. A general impression was of badly unco-ordinated equipment. The questions at the end of the paper were useful. Surely more technologically advanced machines can be developed. Micro-processors should be used to provide intelligent insulin regulation devices. In the age of Information Technology it must be possible to develop ergonomically designed and economically viable devices which will aid diabetic sufferers. G.N. Davis (Ogle Design Ltd) discussed the development of an optimal character Omni-reader. With t h e help of a character reader the ergonomics problems were demonstrated and solutions provided.
Transport control Chairman: E, Megaw (Birmingham University) Hugh David (Eurocontrol) discussed radar air traffic controllers. He confessed that he and others had been wrong! He gave a text-book case of the dangers of allowing the model and simulations to take overt As a result of experiments, he utilised Signal Detection Theory to explain results. However, performance
Ergonomics and the design process Chairman: S. Brown (Open University) One is always suspicious when the opening 'speaker' says that he would like the audience to tell him what their expectations of the session are. [t often implies that the speaker has nothing prepared. However, this was not the case. An interesting discussion took place which included a description of the Open University course on design. This course " . . . although unorthodox is paradoxically ergonomically p a r a d i g n a t i c . . . "! An understanding of how non-ergonomist designers view their tasks would be useful. 'Quick and dirty' methods are still very useful to the ergonomist.
Human variability Chairman: D. Oborne (University Co/lege Swansea ) S.T. Pheasant (Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine) discussed individual differences in anthropometry. No pronounced changes in proportion during growth were noted for head dimensions between the sexes. There was no general rule on the age at which dimensional changes occur. Children tend to overshoot in development and not exhibit steady growth. He concluded with a hypothesis based on a study of 2000 subjects of whom 34 had died in five years which showed that the non-survivors had strikingly different body sizes to the survivors.
314
Applied Ergonomics
M. Shotton (Loughborough University) considered the effects of recent British seat belt legislation on those suffering from rheumatism, which is a bigger problem than is generally recognised as one million UK adults suffer from rheumatic diseases. Medical exemptions from wearing seat belts were rare, and the option of passengers travelling in the rear seat clid not overcome difficulties of getting into the back of cars. The loss of strength with rheumatism made pulling the belt across difficult. A new look at standards was needed as the hook-behind-the-bar type no longer conformed because two movements were involved yet there was no standard on the maximum insertion forces needed with the more common plug-in type. Problems ranged from reaching a stowed belt, through adjusting static belts, to the belt flyback effect on releasing the buckle. Problems were encountered in 95% tests. Should so many people be discouraged from driving by difficulties with the seat belts? M.J. Callan (Loughborough University) discussed user involvement in design. This session drew much laughter but merits much more serious consideration as a part of general ergonomics philosophy. The exercise stemmed from children's complaints about their furniture (perhaps they are less inhibited than adults about complaining) and they introduced some useful user-suggestions such as anticopying screens, local lighting, and the
December 1984
provision of storage space under the seat and a clothes hook on the back of the seat, both the last two being motivated from a dislike of the chaos caused from communal locker and coat rack installations. Other valid ideas included a turnover top for different working surfaces for different tasks, and a foam strip along the front to protect the knees. F o r those whose children left school a few years ago the requirements for built-in VDU and computer facilities were an eye-opener. To complete what had been an excellent sessmn, I.C. McClelland (ICE Loughborough) discussed the use of subjects to evaluate products. Problems which can occur were discussed and positive recommendations were made for data collection methods.
Ergonomics in product development Chairman:/.A.R. Galer (L oughborough University) W. Nijhuis (Delft University) discussed the use of visual aids in order to avoid mistakes in product development. C. Simmons (Xerox Research (UK) Ltd) discussed the design of information systems for users. The redesign of a Xerox photocopier made it more suitable for novice users. A most interesting paper o n the use of blood testing devices for diabetes was presented by J.L. Moses (Sheffield University). Most tests require matching of a colour chart. How do old people get on who may be visually impaired? One slide showed clearly the poor effect on the fingers of finger-prick devices for blood tests. A general impression was of badly unco-ordinated equipment. The questions at the end of the paper were useful. Surely more technologically advanced machines can be developed. Micro-processors should be used to provide intelligent insulin regulation devices. In the age of Information Technology it must be possible to develop ergonomically designed and economically viable devices which will aid diabetic sufferers. G.N. Davis (Ogle Design Ltd) discussed the development of an optimal character Omni-reader. With t h e help of a character reader the ergonomics problems were demonstrated and solutions provided.
Transport control Chairman: E, Megaw (Birmingham University) Hugh David (Eurocontrol) discussed radar air traffic controllers. He confessed that he and others had been wrong! He gave a text-book case of the dangers of allowing the model and simulations to take overt As a result of experiments, he utilised Signal Detection Theory to explain results. However, performance