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Field study of communication and workload in police helicopters: Implications for AI cockpit design
cription accuracy, user search efficiency and time, and subjective ratings revealed an overall significant effect of speech rate on all groups of measures but no significant effects for voice type or coding scheme. Results were used to recommend design guidelines for developing speech displays for telephone •information systems.
Workplace and equipment design 21.1.37 (113539) Rombaeh, V., and Laurig, W. Ergon-expert: A knowlege-based approach to the design of workplaces. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 5 3 - 6 1 , 16 refs. Current results from the development of a knowledge-based system for the ergonomic design of workplaces are presented. The system follows the concept of prospective ergonomics as proposed at the Louisville conference in 1986. A p r o t o t y p e system is devoted to the widely known and explored problem of back pain. Special attention was paid to the user interface in order to improve the acceptance of the system and to strengthen its educational aspect. The knowledge base of the system contains basic knowledge for dealing with ergonomics problems relating to manual materials handling, as well as data and models for the forces acting on the various parts of the human body.
Environment 21.1.38 (113595)
Vaernes, R.J., Knudsen, G., Pasehe, A., Eide, I., and Aakvaag, A. Performance under simulated offshore climate conditions. Scand J Psychol, 1988, 29.2, 1 1 1 - 1 2 2 , 16 refs. An experimental study was set up simulating the environmental conditions and work load among drillers and maintenance personnel offshore. Thirtysix male subjects participated in the experimental study involving 3-h exposures with dry gloves, wet gloves or without gloves. The subjects were working on tasks involving heavy and light muscle work, dexterity and cognitive tasks. Body and skin temperatures and heart rate variability were continuously monitored. Neuropsychologlcal and endocrinological parameters were intermittently monitored. The data from the work performance tasks showed that m o t o r functions, both gross and fine, were impaired when working with wet and, especially, without gloves. Working without gloves also
82
Applied Ergonomics
affected mental work tasks. The neuropsychological and physiological data confirmed the work task studies: working with wet or without gloves led to increased tremor and impaired finger dexterity. Furthermore, reasoning was consistently impaired throughout the exposures compared with working with dry gloves. The heart-rate variability data and the endocrine results also showed a significant central nervous stress reaction for the two hypothermic conditions, compared with the dry glove condition. Especially for drilling further north, these data should imply that both health and performance may be detrimentally affected during working under such conditions with insufficient thermal protection.
21.1.39 (113602)
Banhidi, L., Fabo, L., and Szerdahelyi, J. Thermal comfort simulation tests for improvement of the hot environment in a glassworks. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 4 8 5 - 4 9 2 , 3 refs. The workers in a Hungarian glassworks, producing individual blown products, are often exposed to 60°C globe temperature. A design institute was commissioned to improve the comfort conditions by the introduction of a ventilation system. In-situ thermal and physiological measurements followed by laboratory Simulation of the hot environment and radiant heat sources were involved in the research. Sixteen glassworks employees were subjects in the laboratory. Different ventilation and air cooling conditions were simulated. The tests produced subjective thermal comfort values and skin temperatures that were consequently used for the evaluation of ventilation conditions, and for the selection of optimal parameters. The paper presents the methods of the in-situ measurements, the laboratory simulation tests and the results.
Work design and organisation 21.1.40 (113648)
Hudgings, C. Human factors considerations in the design of automated systems for nursing. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 4 4 0 - 4 4 4 , 10 refs. This paper describes human factors relevant to the design of automated systems for clinical nursing information
March 1990
management, and several studies investigating human factors aspects of new clinical nursing information systems. Functions of systems to assist clinical nurses with information management are described. The importance of human factors in designing these computer systems is discussed by describing three categories of human factors: physical and demographic characteristics of. nurses, characteristics of the hospital physical environment, and characteristics of the nursing care environment. Several human factors studies conducted by a multi-hospital corporation and two vendors to understand the nature and impact of human factors on systems design are discussed. Various data collection methodologies are described that investigate two different approaches to the design of hardware solutions for a clinical nursing information system. 21.1.41 (113654)
Duehon, J.C. Evaluation of two work schedules in a mining operation. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, t988, pp 1 5 1 - 1 6 0 ; 6 refs. Research in the area of shift work has found that it produces a variety of negative consequences, specifically sleep deficiencies, performance decrements, fatigue, gastro,intestinal disorders, and social and marital problems. Therefore, management needs to be able to measure objectively the degree of worker satisfaction and the adequacy of particular shift schedules. This paper presents results of a method designed by the Bureau of Mines to assess these problems in a taconite mining company. The site is divided into two groups of plant and pit workers, having two different rotating shift schedules. Information conversation, a plant-wide vote, and survey items clearly indicate that the continuous 28-day-phase advance shift schedule is less accepted by the workers than is the discontinuous 2 l-day-phase advance shift schedule. Results indicate differ, ences between the two groups on certain variables such as sleep quantity and quality, eating, and physical and mental exhaustion. It is concluded that the survey represents a valid instrument, in that it is sensitive to variables known to be affected by working irregular hours, and that it discriminates between the workers on the two different work schedules. 21.1.42 (113683)
Linde, C., and Shively, R:J. Field study of communication and workload in police helicopters: Implications for AI cockpit design. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting,
Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 237 241, 11 refs. This paper reports on the work performed by civilian helicopter crews, using audio and video recordings and a variety of workload measures (heart rate and subjective ratings) obtained in a field study of public service helicopter missions. The number and frequency of communications provided a significant source of workload. This is relevant to the design of automated cockpit systems, since many designs presuppose the use of voice I/O systems. Fluency of communications (including pauses, hesitation markers, repetitions and false starts) furnished an early indication of the effects of fatigue. Three workload measures were correlated to identify high workload segments of flight, and to suggest alternate task allocations between crew members. 21.1.43 (113687)
Schmidt, J.K., Gotsehall, G.E., Schipani, S.P., and Kysor, K.P. Do those scanners really make a checker's life easier? In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 7 1 0 - 7 1 3 , 4 refs. The advent of modern optics technology has decidedly changed the face of inventory control. It is now commonplace to see optically read 'bar codes' on things. One popular application has been in supermarkets. Generally, optical scanners are used to read 'UPC' labels that are linked with prices and inventory information databases that, respectively, permit automatic pricing and inventory monitoring. This technology is also contended to eliminate fatigue caused by searching for prices and entering them into a cash register keyboard. However, along with this benefit comes a drawback - the physical overload caused by repetitively handling items, grabbing and manipulating them to set the bar code properly over the scanner, scanning the items by passing them in an extended position over an optical reader (sometimes more than once), and placing them beyond the location of the optical reader. The present paper examines three optical scanner stations and proposes various ergonomics design changes to make them better suited for checkout personnel. 21.1.44 (113762) Hoffman, M.S. NCR 7842 Scanner/Scale: An ergonomic solution for the retail checkout environment. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation,
Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 7 1 4 - 7 1 8 , 4 refs. Barcode scanning has been instrumental in increasing user productivity and has expanded the capture of product information, and inventory control. The Human Factors Group in NCR has been a major contributor to the design of scanners. The 7824 Scanner/Scale was introduced in 1986. It was designed to provide an ergonomics solution to excessive lifting to weigh produce and meats during the transaction process. This product filled a growing market in customer service; that is, to weigh produce and frozen meats within the transaction process rather than require customers to purchase prepackaged fresh foods. The success of the 7824 exceeded expectations because of the influence of ergonomics on market demand. Throughput performances for weighed items improved by between 2" 1 s and 3"4 s per item, depending upon workstation configurations. Improvements in throughput are attributed to reductions in physical and psychological workload.
Health and safety
of anaesthetic gases during surgery. Two case studies using the industries mentioned above are presented to demonstrate ergonomics principles for dust control during material transfer and weighing, and for nitrous oxide evaluation and control. The use of this method may determine specific exposure sources and thereby provide engineers and health and safety practitioners with solutions designed to control exposure including workstation design, engineering controls and improved work practices. 21.1.46 (113881) Smith, A.J. Human factors considerations in the safety case for the Channel Tunnel project. In: Human Factors and Decision Making: Their Influence on Safety and Reliability, B.A. Sayers (Ed). Elsevier Applied Science, London, 1988, pp 1 0 - 2 2 , 8 refs. This paper outlines how human factors considerations are being incorporated into the safety case for the Channel Tunnel project. Considerations of human factors aspects is given to both normal and post-accident operations. It is shown how consideration of these aspects has implications for operational procedures, staff training, staffing levels, improvements to the design and requirements for further testing and research.
21.1.45 (113801) 21.1.47 (113831)
McGlothlin, J.D., Jensen, P.A., Gressel, M.G., and Heitbrink, W.A.
Grollier Baron, R.
Ergonomics applications and control of chemical aerosols. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 333 343, 13 refs.
Human factors in the process industries. In: Human Factors and Decision Making: Their Influence on Safety and Reliability, B.A. Sayers (Ed). Elsevier Applied Science, London, 1988, pp 1 - 9 , 0 refs.
Ergonomics principles are typically applied in physical environments where physical stress is common. These principles are less commonly applied in the chemical industry to control personal exposure to aerosols. Industrial hygiene principles are commonly applied in the chemical industry to control worker exposures such as improved ventilation, isolation, or process substitution. In manually intensive tasks where the worker is exposed to hazardous aerosols, the principles of ergonomics and industrial hygiene sometimes come in conflict. To address this problem, a method has been developed to incorporate the principles of both ergonomics and industrial hygiene where aerosol exposure sources can be systematically evaluated through real-time sampling and videotaping of work tasks. Application of this method will help to determine the best strategies for reducing aerosol exposure. Examples where this method has been successfully applied are in industries where chemical powders are manually transferred and weighed, and in dental operatories for the control
The aim of this paper is to review techniques for reducing the share of the human factor in causes of accidents. Although the separation is not always clearcut, such techniques have been classified in three categories: those in which the operator is adapted to his workstation with regard to safety and quality; those in which the system and organisation are adapted to operators, with the latter supposed to show proof of proper behaviour; and those ensuring that overall man/system performances are on a good level with regard to safety and quality. The implementation of all or some of the techniques described results in a great improvement in performances with respect to safety and quality, hence in the economies of the installation.
21.1.48 (113839)
Silverstein, B.A., Armstrong, T.J., Longmate, A., and Woody, D. Can in-plant exercise control musculoskeletal symptoms? J Occup Med, 1988, 3 0 . 1 2 , 9 2 2 - 9 2 7 , 12 refs.
Applied Ergonomics
March 1990
83
Workplace and equipment design 21.1.37 (113539) Rombaeh, V., and Laurig, W. Ergon-expert: A knowlege-based approach to the design of workplaces. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). NorthHolland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 5 3 - 6 1 , 16 refs. Current results from the development of a knowledge-based system for the ergonomic design of workplaces are presented. The system follows the concept of prospective ergonomics as proposed at the Louisville conference in 1986. A p r o t o t y p e system is devoted to the widely known and explored problem of back pain. Special attention was paid to the user interface in order to improve the acceptance of the system and to strengthen its educational aspect. The knowledge base of the system contains basic knowledge for dealing with ergonomics problems relating to manual materials handling, as well as data and models for the forces acting on the various parts of the human body.
Environment 21.1.38 (113595)
Vaernes, R.J., Knudsen, G., Pasehe, A., Eide, I., and Aakvaag, A. Performance under simulated offshore climate conditions. Scand J Psychol, 1988, 29.2, 1 1 1 - 1 2 2 , 16 refs. An experimental study was set up simulating the environmental conditions and work load among drillers and maintenance personnel offshore. Thirtysix male subjects participated in the experimental study involving 3-h exposures with dry gloves, wet gloves or without gloves. The subjects were working on tasks involving heavy and light muscle work, dexterity and cognitive tasks. Body and skin temperatures and heart rate variability were continuously monitored. Neuropsychologlcal and endocrinological parameters were intermittently monitored. The data from the work performance tasks showed that m o t o r functions, both gross and fine, were impaired when working with wet and, especially, without gloves. Working without gloves also
82
Applied Ergonomics
affected mental work tasks. The neuropsychological and physiological data confirmed the work task studies: working with wet or without gloves led to increased tremor and impaired finger dexterity. Furthermore, reasoning was consistently impaired throughout the exposures compared with working with dry gloves. The heart-rate variability data and the endocrine results also showed a significant central nervous stress reaction for the two hypothermic conditions, compared with the dry glove condition. Especially for drilling further north, these data should imply that both health and performance may be detrimentally affected during working under such conditions with insufficient thermal protection.
21.1.39 (113602)
Banhidi, L., Fabo, L., and Szerdahelyi, J. Thermal comfort simulation tests for improvement of the hot environment in a glassworks. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 4 8 5 - 4 9 2 , 3 refs. The workers in a Hungarian glassworks, producing individual blown products, are often exposed to 60°C globe temperature. A design institute was commissioned to improve the comfort conditions by the introduction of a ventilation system. In-situ thermal and physiological measurements followed by laboratory Simulation of the hot environment and radiant heat sources were involved in the research. Sixteen glassworks employees were subjects in the laboratory. Different ventilation and air cooling conditions were simulated. The tests produced subjective thermal comfort values and skin temperatures that were consequently used for the evaluation of ventilation conditions, and for the selection of optimal parameters. The paper presents the methods of the in-situ measurements, the laboratory simulation tests and the results.
Work design and organisation 21.1.40 (113648)
Hudgings, C. Human factors considerations in the design of automated systems for nursing. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 4 4 0 - 4 4 4 , 10 refs. This paper describes human factors relevant to the design of automated systems for clinical nursing information
March 1990
management, and several studies investigating human factors aspects of new clinical nursing information systems. Functions of systems to assist clinical nurses with information management are described. The importance of human factors in designing these computer systems is discussed by describing three categories of human factors: physical and demographic characteristics of. nurses, characteristics of the hospital physical environment, and characteristics of the nursing care environment. Several human factors studies conducted by a multi-hospital corporation and two vendors to understand the nature and impact of human factors on systems design are discussed. Various data collection methodologies are described that investigate two different approaches to the design of hardware solutions for a clinical nursing information system. 21.1.41 (113654)
Duehon, J.C. Evaluation of two work schedules in a mining operation. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, t988, pp 1 5 1 - 1 6 0 ; 6 refs. Research in the area of shift work has found that it produces a variety of negative consequences, specifically sleep deficiencies, performance decrements, fatigue, gastro,intestinal disorders, and social and marital problems. Therefore, management needs to be able to measure objectively the degree of worker satisfaction and the adequacy of particular shift schedules. This paper presents results of a method designed by the Bureau of Mines to assess these problems in a taconite mining company. The site is divided into two groups of plant and pit workers, having two different rotating shift schedules. Information conversation, a plant-wide vote, and survey items clearly indicate that the continuous 28-day-phase advance shift schedule is less accepted by the workers than is the discontinuous 2 l-day-phase advance shift schedule. Results indicate differ, ences between the two groups on certain variables such as sleep quantity and quality, eating, and physical and mental exhaustion. It is concluded that the survey represents a valid instrument, in that it is sensitive to variables known to be affected by working irregular hours, and that it discriminates between the workers on the two different work schedules. 21.1.42 (113683)
Linde, C., and Shively, R:J. Field study of communication and workload in police helicopters: Implications for AI cockpit design. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting,
Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 237 241, 11 refs. This paper reports on the work performed by civilian helicopter crews, using audio and video recordings and a variety of workload measures (heart rate and subjective ratings) obtained in a field study of public service helicopter missions. The number and frequency of communications provided a significant source of workload. This is relevant to the design of automated cockpit systems, since many designs presuppose the use of voice I/O systems. Fluency of communications (including pauses, hesitation markers, repetitions and false starts) furnished an early indication of the effects of fatigue. Three workload measures were correlated to identify high workload segments of flight, and to suggest alternate task allocations between crew members. 21.1.43 (113687)
Schmidt, J.K., Gotsehall, G.E., Schipani, S.P., and Kysor, K.P. Do those scanners really make a checker's life easier? In: Riding the Wave of Innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 7 1 0 - 7 1 3 , 4 refs. The advent of modern optics technology has decidedly changed the face of inventory control. It is now commonplace to see optically read 'bar codes' on things. One popular application has been in supermarkets. Generally, optical scanners are used to read 'UPC' labels that are linked with prices and inventory information databases that, respectively, permit automatic pricing and inventory monitoring. This technology is also contended to eliminate fatigue caused by searching for prices and entering them into a cash register keyboard. However, along with this benefit comes a drawback - the physical overload caused by repetitively handling items, grabbing and manipulating them to set the bar code properly over the scanner, scanning the items by passing them in an extended position over an optical reader (sometimes more than once), and placing them beyond the location of the optical reader. The present paper examines three optical scanner stations and proposes various ergonomics design changes to make them better suited for checkout personnel. 21.1.44 (113762) Hoffman, M.S. NCR 7842 Scanner/Scale: An ergonomic solution for the retail checkout environment. In: Riding the Wave of Innovation,
Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 2 4 - 2 8 Oct 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 7 1 4 - 7 1 8 , 4 refs. Barcode scanning has been instrumental in increasing user productivity and has expanded the capture of product information, and inventory control. The Human Factors Group in NCR has been a major contributor to the design of scanners. The 7824 Scanner/Scale was introduced in 1986. It was designed to provide an ergonomics solution to excessive lifting to weigh produce and meats during the transaction process. This product filled a growing market in customer service; that is, to weigh produce and frozen meats within the transaction process rather than require customers to purchase prepackaged fresh foods. The success of the 7824 exceeded expectations because of the influence of ergonomics on market demand. Throughput performances for weighed items improved by between 2" 1 s and 3"4 s per item, depending upon workstation configurations. Improvements in throughput are attributed to reductions in physical and psychological workload.
Health and safety
of anaesthetic gases during surgery. Two case studies using the industries mentioned above are presented to demonstrate ergonomics principles for dust control during material transfer and weighing, and for nitrous oxide evaluation and control. The use of this method may determine specific exposure sources and thereby provide engineers and health and safety practitioners with solutions designed to control exposure including workstation design, engineering controls and improved work practices. 21.1.46 (113881) Smith, A.J. Human factors considerations in the safety case for the Channel Tunnel project. In: Human Factors and Decision Making: Their Influence on Safety and Reliability, B.A. Sayers (Ed). Elsevier Applied Science, London, 1988, pp 1 0 - 2 2 , 8 refs. This paper outlines how human factors considerations are being incorporated into the safety case for the Channel Tunnel project. Considerations of human factors aspects is given to both normal and post-accident operations. It is shown how consideration of these aspects has implications for operational procedures, staff training, staffing levels, improvements to the design and requirements for further testing and research.
21.1.45 (113801) 21.1.47 (113831)
McGlothlin, J.D., Jensen, P.A., Gressel, M.G., and Heitbrink, W.A.
Grollier Baron, R.
Ergonomics applications and control of chemical aerosols. In: Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors V, F. Aghazadeh (Ed). North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1988, pp 333 343, 13 refs.
Human factors in the process industries. In: Human Factors and Decision Making: Their Influence on Safety and Reliability, B.A. Sayers (Ed). Elsevier Applied Science, London, 1988, pp 1 - 9 , 0 refs.
Ergonomics principles are typically applied in physical environments where physical stress is common. These principles are less commonly applied in the chemical industry to control personal exposure to aerosols. Industrial hygiene principles are commonly applied in the chemical industry to control worker exposures such as improved ventilation, isolation, or process substitution. In manually intensive tasks where the worker is exposed to hazardous aerosols, the principles of ergonomics and industrial hygiene sometimes come in conflict. To address this problem, a method has been developed to incorporate the principles of both ergonomics and industrial hygiene where aerosol exposure sources can be systematically evaluated through real-time sampling and videotaping of work tasks. Application of this method will help to determine the best strategies for reducing aerosol exposure. Examples where this method has been successfully applied are in industries where chemical powders are manually transferred and weighed, and in dental operatories for the control
The aim of this paper is to review techniques for reducing the share of the human factor in causes of accidents. Although the separation is not always clearcut, such techniques have been classified in three categories: those in which the operator is adapted to his workstation with regard to safety and quality; those in which the system and organisation are adapted to operators, with the latter supposed to show proof of proper behaviour; and those ensuring that overall man/system performances are on a good level with regard to safety and quality. The implementation of all or some of the techniques described results in a great improvement in performances with respect to safety and quality, hence in the economies of the installation.
21.1.48 (113839)
Silverstein, B.A., Armstrong, T.J., Longmate, A., and Woody, D. Can in-plant exercise control musculoskeletal symptoms? J Occup Med, 1988, 3 0 . 1 2 , 9 2 2 - 9 2 7 , 12 refs.
Applied Ergonomics
March 1990
83