- Email: [email protected]
Work at computer terminals. Analysis of the work and ergonomic recommendations
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 ar.d 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. 021--472 1301.
General 12.1.1 (79209) Gflfoil, D., and Mauro, C.L. Integrating human factors and design: Matching human factors methods up to product development. Proceedings of the Symposium on Human Factors and Industrial Design in Consumer Products, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, 2 8 - 3 0 May 1980, Ed by H.R. Poydar, 1980, pp 1 - 7 . As part of a consumer product development team the human factors specialist has had to widen the traditional focus on 'system optimisation and certification' to include broader issues. Faced with a more diversified user population and an increasing demand to be 'market conscious', human factors engineers involved in product development need to choose and develop research strategies accordingly. The present paper, in recognising the growing demand for the human factors professional to be responsive to 'profit' centred issues, has briefly explored several research tools and methodologies. These methodologies were presented within the context of six identifiable phases of consumer product development research. The extent to which research techniques can be adapted to meet consumer product development needs will be a major determinant of the relevance of human factors science to everyday products. 12.1.2 (79210) Grandjean, E. Physiological design of work manual of ergonomics (Physiologische Arbeitsgestaltung - Leitfaden der
46
Ergonomie). (In German.) Ott Verlag AG, Thun, Switzerland, 3rd Edition, 1979, 432 pp, abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-880). During the 12 years since the last edition work has become more monotonous, more complex and more demanding. These factors have been taken into account and new subjects added: visual and acoustic perception, mental stress, vigilance, monotony and shift work. Contents: physical work, motor neural mechanisms, principles for lighter work, anthropometry and design, designing the dimensions of a work station, arduous physical work, handling loads, work and meals, night work and shift work, lighting and choice of colours, noise and vibration, workplace microclimate. Checklist for physiological design and layout of a workplace and work organisation. 12.1.3 (79238) Magelli, C., Vezzali, N., and Coccheri, S. Risk factors in the present-day graphics industry (I Fatori di Rischio nella Moderna Industria Grafica). (In Italian.) Rivista degli Infortuni e delle Malattie Professionale. Jul/Aug 1979, 66.4, 3 5 5 - 3 8 0 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-859). After a brief outline of printing techniques the chief hazards are described: noise, solvents (inks, cleaning cylinders, evaporation after printing), chemicals, dust, lead (no longer as important a hazard as in the past), microclimate, work organisation, accidents (printing press, chain-type sheet feeder). Proposals to improve the work environment and work organisation are made: typesetting, lithography, printing, binding.
Applied Ergonomics March 1981
12.1.4 (79283) Wisner, A. Work at computer terminals. Analysis of the work and ergonomic recommendations. Paper presented at the Conference on 'Work Humanisation through Job Redesign and Ergonomics', Helsinki, Finland, 11 15 February 1980, 18 pp. Computer terminal work is an increasing social problem with serious consequences. The number of computer terminals in France is estimated to have been 60 000 in 1976 and is expected to be 300 000 by 1985. This means that in 10 years their number has multiplied by five. The social consequences of computerisation are well known: unemployment, loss of professional skills, etc. The consequences of technological change could be alleviated through personnel policy measures but this is not the rule. Violent social conflicts have appeared in different countries and in various branches of economic activity. The research in the laboratory of work physiology and ergonomics of the CNAM is not directed toward the social effects but to the difficulties in the work itself, to their origin and to the design of better alternatives. Research has been carried out in several branches but most of all, however, in the printing and telecommunication branches. It comprises a part of the abundant literature found in the industrialised countries. A feature should be stressed here which is characteristic of the research: emphasis on the close relation between the task itself and the environmental conditions in which it is made, primarily the illumination. The other feature of the research is the analysis of the task's characteristics, ie, reading and correction of the signs on the CRT screen. The results do not concern the part-time use of the terminal such as in ticket selling and banking offices. The subjects have been full time computer terminal operators. 12.1.5 (79293) Zincenki, V.P., and Munipov, V.M. Principles of ergonomics (Osnovy Ergonomiki). (In Russian.)Izdatel'stvo Moskovskogo Universiteta, Moscow, 1979, 343 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-877). Contents: ergonomics and its place in the scientific system; recent history and development; principles and methods (ergonomics research by observation and survey, physiological or psychological evaluation of human performance); work study (structure of sensorimotor and cognitive activities); ergonomics and technical design; ergonomic workplace design (anthro-
General 12.1.1 (79209) Gflfoil, D., and Mauro, C.L. Integrating human factors and design: Matching human factors methods up to product development. Proceedings of the Symposium on Human Factors and Industrial Design in Consumer Products, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, 2 8 - 3 0 May 1980, Ed by H.R. Poydar, 1980, pp 1 - 7 . As part of a consumer product development team the human factors specialist has had to widen the traditional focus on 'system optimisation and certification' to include broader issues. Faced with a more diversified user population and an increasing demand to be 'market conscious', human factors engineers involved in product development need to choose and develop research strategies accordingly. The present paper, in recognising the growing demand for the human factors professional to be responsive to 'profit' centred issues, has briefly explored several research tools and methodologies. These methodologies were presented within the context of six identifiable phases of consumer product development research. The extent to which research techniques can be adapted to meet consumer product development needs will be a major determinant of the relevance of human factors science to everyday products. 12.1.2 (79210) Grandjean, E. Physiological design of work manual of ergonomics (Physiologische Arbeitsgestaltung - Leitfaden der
46
Ergonomie). (In German.) Ott Verlag AG, Thun, Switzerland, 3rd Edition, 1979, 432 pp, abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-880). During the 12 years since the last edition work has become more monotonous, more complex and more demanding. These factors have been taken into account and new subjects added: visual and acoustic perception, mental stress, vigilance, monotony and shift work. Contents: physical work, motor neural mechanisms, principles for lighter work, anthropometry and design, designing the dimensions of a work station, arduous physical work, handling loads, work and meals, night work and shift work, lighting and choice of colours, noise and vibration, workplace microclimate. Checklist for physiological design and layout of a workplace and work organisation. 12.1.3 (79238) Magelli, C., Vezzali, N., and Coccheri, S. Risk factors in the present-day graphics industry (I Fatori di Rischio nella Moderna Industria Grafica). (In Italian.) Rivista degli Infortuni e delle Malattie Professionale. Jul/Aug 1979, 66.4, 3 5 5 - 3 8 0 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-859). After a brief outline of printing techniques the chief hazards are described: noise, solvents (inks, cleaning cylinders, evaporation after printing), chemicals, dust, lead (no longer as important a hazard as in the past), microclimate, work organisation, accidents (printing press, chain-type sheet feeder). Proposals to improve the work environment and work organisation are made: typesetting, lithography, printing, binding.
Applied Ergonomics March 1981
12.1.4 (79283) Wisner, A. Work at computer terminals. Analysis of the work and ergonomic recommendations. Paper presented at the Conference on 'Work Humanisation through Job Redesign and Ergonomics', Helsinki, Finland, 11 15 February 1980, 18 pp. Computer terminal work is an increasing social problem with serious consequences. The number of computer terminals in France is estimated to have been 60 000 in 1976 and is expected to be 300 000 by 1985. This means that in 10 years their number has multiplied by five. The social consequences of computerisation are well known: unemployment, loss of professional skills, etc. The consequences of technological change could be alleviated through personnel policy measures but this is not the rule. Violent social conflicts have appeared in different countries and in various branches of economic activity. The research in the laboratory of work physiology and ergonomics of the CNAM is not directed toward the social effects but to the difficulties in the work itself, to their origin and to the design of better alternatives. Research has been carried out in several branches but most of all, however, in the printing and telecommunication branches. It comprises a part of the abundant literature found in the industrialised countries. A feature should be stressed here which is characteristic of the research: emphasis on the close relation between the task itself and the environmental conditions in which it is made, primarily the illumination. The other feature of the research is the analysis of the task's characteristics, ie, reading and correction of the signs on the CRT screen. The results do not concern the part-time use of the terminal such as in ticket selling and banking offices. The subjects have been full time computer terminal operators. 12.1.5 (79293) Zincenki, V.P., and Munipov, V.M. Principles of ergonomics (Osnovy Ergonomiki). (In Russian.)Izdatel'stvo Moskovskogo Universiteta, Moscow, 1979, 343 pp; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 80-877). Contents: ergonomics and its place in the scientific system; recent history and development; principles and methods (ergonomics research by observation and survey, physiological or psychological evaluation of human performance); work study (structure of sensorimotor and cognitive activities); ergonomics and technical design; ergonomic workplace design (anthro-