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Understanding symbolic signs: Design guidelines based on user responses
repetitive finger, wrist and forearm movement. Effective prevention could be achieved by industrial designers and engineers through careful consideration of the man-machine-tool work and rest cycle. Excessive force could be reduced by work mechanisation, using a stronger action than arm action and tools with greater mechanical advantage. Hand tools require careful consideration in the contact area between the tool and the human hand. Bent wrist movement could be avoided by bending tools, suitable work layout and method improvement. Tiring posture could be minimised by suitable use and adjustment of workbench and chair. Work and rest schedules could incorporate short but frequent rest. A tapered bonus system could be used instead of a linear bonus system. Job rotation should only be used as a last resort. Operator selection and training are also important. 13.3.14 (81799)
O'Brien, G. Accident prevention: The elderly at home. In: Ergonomics in Practice,
Proceedings of the 1 7th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, Sydney, 2 7 - 2 8 Nov 1980, pp 3 5 - 4 2 .
Use of colours to code information in industry (hazards include wrong colour identification of gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, pipelines) and transport; meanings of colours in the British Colour Council safety colour code; new UK regulations on four safety colours and safety signs, effect of diabetes on colour vision. Tables show: colour confusions made, colours completely missed, and common errors made by workers with colour vision deficiencies. 13.3.16 (81808)
Molyneux, E.C. Bringing the sign into line - A revised standard for safety signs and colours. BSINews, Aug 1980, p 7. Movement of labour within the European Economic Community has meant that a sizeable part of a member country's work force is often made up of the foreign workers, whose command of the language may be far from complete - just one of the reasons why the establishment of a unified system of easily understood safety signs throughout the EEC is so necessary. The advantages of such a system must be readily obvious to the consumer, since they can help to inform and protect him both at work (eg, in the factory or office) and at leisure (eg, driving a car). The author briefly describes the revised standard and some of the work leading up to its publication.
The number of people over the age of 65 is increasing more rapidly than the population as a whole. Currently this group constitutes 8"3% of the Australian population, and by the end of this century they will form about 16% of the population. It has been reported that 12-5% of accidents in the 65+ group occur at home. The role of 13.3.17 (81809) ergonomics in the health field is Cairney, P., and Sless, D. becoming increasingly clear Understanding symbolic signs: Design particularly in relation to accident guidelines based on user responses. prevention in the elderly. Occupational In: Ergonomics in Practice, Proceedings therapists are involved in investigating of the 1 7th Annual Conference of the appropriate measures to assist the Ergonomics Society of Australia and elderly maintaining their independence New Zealand, Sydney, 2 7 - 2 8 Nov 1980, by remaining in their own homes. One pp 5 1 - 5 8 . of the prime considerations is whether A proposed classificatory scheme, or the patient is 'safe' in the home taxonomy, of referent-image relations environment and whether he can carry in symbolic signs is suggested. It is out necessary daily living activities in argued that systematic analysis of the a safe manner. Habits of the elderly are mismatch between designers' intention difficult to alter, and the main aim of and users' interpretation of symbolic accident prevention in this age group should be to make the home environment signs can provide useful insight into the psychological processes involved, hazard free. This ultimately is best and can provide designers with practical achieved by the design of homes that information about which forms of will cater for the ageing owner's symbolic rendering are most likely to physical, mental and social status. be effective, A re-analysis of previously reported responses to Occupational Safety Signs is presented, along with specific recommendations concerning the design process, derived from 13.3.15 (81807) application of the taxonomy. Voke, J.
Visual displays
Colour coding and the colour defective. Occupational Safety and Health, May 1980, 6 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-1585).
226
13.3.18 (81814)
Spencer, It., and Reynolds, L. Directional signing and labelling in
Applied Ergonomics September 1982
libraries and museums: A review of current theory and practice. Graphic Information Research Unit, Royal College of Art, London, RPRU Report No 12, 1977, 117 pp. How can adequate graphics be produced on a low budget and without suitably trained staff? In an attempt to help all those concerned with producing graphics for libraries and museums, the Unit has brought together existing knowledge and experience from a number of sources. An extensive literature survey was carried out, with the aim of identifying relevant research findings from a variety of disciplines. In visits and interviews, the Unit sought out the practical experience accumulated by some 70 organisations and individuals in the design and use of graphics in public buildings. The report on this study deals with three main kinds of graphics: directional signing, library guiding, and museum labelling. Each of these is considered in terms of information content, design, production and positioning. The text is illustrated by 83 photographs, and is supported by over 100 references. 13.3.19 (81815)
Spencer, H., and Reynolds, L. Factors affecting the acceptability of microforms as a reading medium. Graphic Information Research Unit, Royal College of Art, London, RPRU Report No 8, 1976.91 pp. Microforms are increasingly widely used as an information handling medium because of their many advantages over conventional alternatives. As a reading medium, however, they have a number of disadvantages which arise from the need to use a piece of equipment for reading. Potential users can be discouraged by these disadvantages, and it is therefore important to optimise the microform reading situation in every possible way. What factors are likely to affect the acceptability of microforms from the user's point of view? The purpose of this study was to identify these factors, to summarise any relevant research and to point to priorities for further research. The study comprised a literature survey and interviews with a small number of representative users of microforms. Topics covered included the quality and format of the microforms themselves, the design of the equipment and work space, the nature of the user's task, and the characteristics of the user. For each of the factors identified as being likely to affect acceptability, the report on the study presents a review of the relevant literature, discusses the practical implications of research findings and makes suggestions for further research where appropriate. The bibliography includes 78 references.
O'Brien, G. Accident prevention: The elderly at home. In: Ergonomics in Practice,
Proceedings of the 1 7th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia and New Zealand, Sydney, 2 7 - 2 8 Nov 1980, pp 3 5 - 4 2 .
Use of colours to code information in industry (hazards include wrong colour identification of gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, pipelines) and transport; meanings of colours in the British Colour Council safety colour code; new UK regulations on four safety colours and safety signs, effect of diabetes on colour vision. Tables show: colour confusions made, colours completely missed, and common errors made by workers with colour vision deficiencies. 13.3.16 (81808)
Molyneux, E.C. Bringing the sign into line - A revised standard for safety signs and colours. BSINews, Aug 1980, p 7. Movement of labour within the European Economic Community has meant that a sizeable part of a member country's work force is often made up of the foreign workers, whose command of the language may be far from complete - just one of the reasons why the establishment of a unified system of easily understood safety signs throughout the EEC is so necessary. The advantages of such a system must be readily obvious to the consumer, since they can help to inform and protect him both at work (eg, in the factory or office) and at leisure (eg, driving a car). The author briefly describes the revised standard and some of the work leading up to its publication.
The number of people over the age of 65 is increasing more rapidly than the population as a whole. Currently this group constitutes 8"3% of the Australian population, and by the end of this century they will form about 16% of the population. It has been reported that 12-5% of accidents in the 65+ group occur at home. The role of 13.3.17 (81809) ergonomics in the health field is Cairney, P., and Sless, D. becoming increasingly clear Understanding symbolic signs: Design particularly in relation to accident guidelines based on user responses. prevention in the elderly. Occupational In: Ergonomics in Practice, Proceedings therapists are involved in investigating of the 1 7th Annual Conference of the appropriate measures to assist the Ergonomics Society of Australia and elderly maintaining their independence New Zealand, Sydney, 2 7 - 2 8 Nov 1980, by remaining in their own homes. One pp 5 1 - 5 8 . of the prime considerations is whether A proposed classificatory scheme, or the patient is 'safe' in the home taxonomy, of referent-image relations environment and whether he can carry in symbolic signs is suggested. It is out necessary daily living activities in argued that systematic analysis of the a safe manner. Habits of the elderly are mismatch between designers' intention difficult to alter, and the main aim of and users' interpretation of symbolic accident prevention in this age group should be to make the home environment signs can provide useful insight into the psychological processes involved, hazard free. This ultimately is best and can provide designers with practical achieved by the design of homes that information about which forms of will cater for the ageing owner's symbolic rendering are most likely to physical, mental and social status. be effective, A re-analysis of previously reported responses to Occupational Safety Signs is presented, along with specific recommendations concerning the design process, derived from 13.3.15 (81807) application of the taxonomy. Voke, J.
Visual displays
Colour coding and the colour defective. Occupational Safety and Health, May 1980, 6 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-1585).
226
13.3.18 (81814)
Spencer, It., and Reynolds, L. Directional signing and labelling in
Applied Ergonomics September 1982
libraries and museums: A review of current theory and practice. Graphic Information Research Unit, Royal College of Art, London, RPRU Report No 12, 1977, 117 pp. How can adequate graphics be produced on a low budget and without suitably trained staff? In an attempt to help all those concerned with producing graphics for libraries and museums, the Unit has brought together existing knowledge and experience from a number of sources. An extensive literature survey was carried out, with the aim of identifying relevant research findings from a variety of disciplines. In visits and interviews, the Unit sought out the practical experience accumulated by some 70 organisations and individuals in the design and use of graphics in public buildings. The report on this study deals with three main kinds of graphics: directional signing, library guiding, and museum labelling. Each of these is considered in terms of information content, design, production and positioning. The text is illustrated by 83 photographs, and is supported by over 100 references. 13.3.19 (81815)
Spencer, H., and Reynolds, L. Factors affecting the acceptability of microforms as a reading medium. Graphic Information Research Unit, Royal College of Art, London, RPRU Report No 8, 1976.91 pp. Microforms are increasingly widely used as an information handling medium because of their many advantages over conventional alternatives. As a reading medium, however, they have a number of disadvantages which arise from the need to use a piece of equipment for reading. Potential users can be discouraged by these disadvantages, and it is therefore important to optimise the microform reading situation in every possible way. What factors are likely to affect the acceptability of microforms from the user's point of view? The purpose of this study was to identify these factors, to summarise any relevant research and to point to priorities for further research. The study comprised a literature survey and interviews with a small number of representative users of microforms. Topics covered included the quality and format of the microforms themselves, the design of the equipment and work space, the nature of the user's task, and the characteristics of the user. For each of the factors identified as being likely to affect acceptability, the report on the study presents a review of the relevant literature, discusses the practical implications of research findings and makes suggestions for further research where appropriate. The bibliography includes 78 references.