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Ergonomics of the office
Abstracts To provide readers of Applied Ergonomics with a selection of current ergonomics literature likely to be of direct practical value, abstracts are published selected from the collection held at the Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre. These abstracts are classified in a similar manner to the main articles in the journal; for easy reference, the code number at the head of each abstract (eg, 1.1.21) consists of the volume number, part or issue number and a sequential abstract number. The published abstracts are only a selection of the Centre's material and readers concerned with specific areas are invited to contact the Centre for further information. Those readers unable to obtain copies of the original articles abstracted here through their usual sources, such as company librarian, may obtain photocopies from the Centre. Details of this service are available from The Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre, Department of Engineering Production, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham 15. Tel. 0 2 1 - 4 7 2 1301.
General 17.4.1 (100037)
Wisner, A. Ergonomics in industrially developing countries. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.8, 1213 1224. After introducing the concept of industrially developing countries (IDC), a review of the ergonomics literature, mainly produced by authors working in the IDC, is presented under three headings. The first part is related to basic ergonomics data: anthropometry, work at heat, limited cardio-respiratory work capacities, effects of tropical diseases, influence of shift-work, role of possible ethnic cognitive differences. Ergonomics in traditional activities is presented from evidence produced mainly in Brazil and Asia (India, Indonesia, Phillipines) by authors who are performing field studies in agriculture and cottage industries. The final part is devoted to the transfer of technology. Many factories transferred from industrialised countries to IDCs provide poor results both from health and production viewpoints when they are transferred without careful ergonomic and anthropotechnological analysis and recommendations. On the contrary, very successful results are frequently observed in the 'anthropotechnological islands' organised by multinational firms. But the special conditions realised there cannot be generalised to all the factories transferred in the common industrial network of some IDCs. In fact, too frequently, this network is weaker than in the industrialised countries: technical help may be too scarce, electricity and water supplies may be irregular. To obtain good results in these circumstances the work organisation has not only to be transferred with the machines but also adapted: special attention is then paid to maintenance and communication inside the factory,
to avoid incomplete, imperfect or inadequate organisation transfer. The conclusion stresses the importance of better scientific exchanges between ergonomists working in the field of agriculture and industrial development. 17.4.2 (100402) Rohmert, W. Ergonomics and manufacturing industry. Ergonomics, 1985,28.8, 1115 1134. After some introductory remarks on the terms "ergonomics' and 'manufacturing industry', a classification of technique related to human share on capacity is given. An ergonomic description of the manufacturing industry's development is explained. Today's manufacturing systems, as well as the design and evaluation of future manufacturing systems, requires an ergonomics consideration of these very specific man-at-work systems. Ergonomics means in this sense the analysis, measurement, evaluation and design of man-at-work systems. Ergonomics has been developed to the point where today it can provide for the evaluation and design of present manufacturing work as well as application to future work systems.
17.4.3 (10045 I)
Stewart, T. Ergonomics of the office. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.8, 1165-1177. The office has a long history from the monks in their cells copying religious texts through the Victorian office with Dickensian clerks to the paperwork factory of today. Technology has been introduced to help the office cope with a growing mountain of paper, but only seems to have made matters worse. There is much to keep the traditional ergonomist occupied in today's office in trying to improve the design of equipment, workplaces and
working environments. However, the efficient electronic paperwork factory is no longer seen as a desirable objective and more emphasis is now being placed on a systems approach. There is a significant role for the radical ergonomist in this approach to office systems and a number of contributions are outlined. The approach can lead to new models of the office and perhaps also to some unconventional offices. 17.4.4 (100498)
Nicholson, A.S., and David, G.C. Slipping, tripping and falling accidents to delivery drivers. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.7,977-991. North American studies have shown that approximately 25% of injuries to drivers of commercial vehicles are caused by slipping, tripping and falling accidents and a large proportion of these is associated with entry to and exit from the vehicle. No similar data have been obtained for delivery drivers within the UK, and a study has therefore been carried out to investigate the slipping, tripping and falling accidents sustained during the distribution of products using commercial road vehicles. Accident information from two companies which operate large commercial vehicle fleets has been analysed and data on slipping, tripping and falling accidents to drivers have been examined, using a sequential accident model in order to identify contributory factors. Entry and exit systems to and from the vehicles have been evaluated and compared with the minimum requirements which have been proposed by various authorities. A questionnaire survey of drivers has also been carried out to determine the comments of the user population in order to identify additional factors which may contribute to the level of hazard. The need for further research to provide comprehensive guidelines for vehicle system designers has been identified.
Visual processes in man 17.4.5 (100051)
Piceoli, B., Perris, R., Gratton, I., and Grieeo, A. Sight and work. II. A method for the study of visual function at work (Visione e Lavoro. Nota II: Metodo per 1o Studio della Funzionalita Visiva in Lavoro). (In Italian.) Medicina del Lavoro, 1985, 7 6 . 3 , 2 3 8 - 2 4 5 . A method is proposed for the evaluation of alterations of visual function in operators engaged in near point work. The method is intended to
Applied Ergonomics December 1986
319
General 17.4.1 (100037)
Wisner, A. Ergonomics in industrially developing countries. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.8, 1213 1224. After introducing the concept of industrially developing countries (IDC), a review of the ergonomics literature, mainly produced by authors working in the IDC, is presented under three headings. The first part is related to basic ergonomics data: anthropometry, work at heat, limited cardio-respiratory work capacities, effects of tropical diseases, influence of shift-work, role of possible ethnic cognitive differences. Ergonomics in traditional activities is presented from evidence produced mainly in Brazil and Asia (India, Indonesia, Phillipines) by authors who are performing field studies in agriculture and cottage industries. The final part is devoted to the transfer of technology. Many factories transferred from industrialised countries to IDCs provide poor results both from health and production viewpoints when they are transferred without careful ergonomic and anthropotechnological analysis and recommendations. On the contrary, very successful results are frequently observed in the 'anthropotechnological islands' organised by multinational firms. But the special conditions realised there cannot be generalised to all the factories transferred in the common industrial network of some IDCs. In fact, too frequently, this network is weaker than in the industrialised countries: technical help may be too scarce, electricity and water supplies may be irregular. To obtain good results in these circumstances the work organisation has not only to be transferred with the machines but also adapted: special attention is then paid to maintenance and communication inside the factory,
to avoid incomplete, imperfect or inadequate organisation transfer. The conclusion stresses the importance of better scientific exchanges between ergonomists working in the field of agriculture and industrial development. 17.4.2 (100402) Rohmert, W. Ergonomics and manufacturing industry. Ergonomics, 1985,28.8, 1115 1134. After some introductory remarks on the terms "ergonomics' and 'manufacturing industry', a classification of technique related to human share on capacity is given. An ergonomic description of the manufacturing industry's development is explained. Today's manufacturing systems, as well as the design and evaluation of future manufacturing systems, requires an ergonomics consideration of these very specific man-at-work systems. Ergonomics means in this sense the analysis, measurement, evaluation and design of man-at-work systems. Ergonomics has been developed to the point where today it can provide for the evaluation and design of present manufacturing work as well as application to future work systems.
17.4.3 (10045 I)
Stewart, T. Ergonomics of the office. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.8, 1165-1177. The office has a long history from the monks in their cells copying religious texts through the Victorian office with Dickensian clerks to the paperwork factory of today. Technology has been introduced to help the office cope with a growing mountain of paper, but only seems to have made matters worse. There is much to keep the traditional ergonomist occupied in today's office in trying to improve the design of equipment, workplaces and
working environments. However, the efficient electronic paperwork factory is no longer seen as a desirable objective and more emphasis is now being placed on a systems approach. There is a significant role for the radical ergonomist in this approach to office systems and a number of contributions are outlined. The approach can lead to new models of the office and perhaps also to some unconventional offices. 17.4.4 (100498)
Nicholson, A.S., and David, G.C. Slipping, tripping and falling accidents to delivery drivers. Ergonomics, 1985, 28.7,977-991. North American studies have shown that approximately 25% of injuries to drivers of commercial vehicles are caused by slipping, tripping and falling accidents and a large proportion of these is associated with entry to and exit from the vehicle. No similar data have been obtained for delivery drivers within the UK, and a study has therefore been carried out to investigate the slipping, tripping and falling accidents sustained during the distribution of products using commercial road vehicles. Accident information from two companies which operate large commercial vehicle fleets has been analysed and data on slipping, tripping and falling accidents to drivers have been examined, using a sequential accident model in order to identify contributory factors. Entry and exit systems to and from the vehicles have been evaluated and compared with the minimum requirements which have been proposed by various authorities. A questionnaire survey of drivers has also been carried out to determine the comments of the user population in order to identify additional factors which may contribute to the level of hazard. The need for further research to provide comprehensive guidelines for vehicle system designers has been identified.
Visual processes in man 17.4.5 (100051)
Piceoli, B., Perris, R., Gratton, I., and Grieeo, A. Sight and work. II. A method for the study of visual function at work (Visione e Lavoro. Nota II: Metodo per 1o Studio della Funzionalita Visiva in Lavoro). (In Italian.) Medicina del Lavoro, 1985, 7 6 . 3 , 2 3 8 - 2 4 5 . A method is proposed for the evaluation of alterations of visual function in operators engaged in near point work. The method is intended to
Applied Ergonomics December 1986
319