Ergonomic
Ergonomic
Ergonomic (pronunciation: /ˌɜːrɡəˈnɒmɪk/) is a term derived from the Greek words "ergon" meaning work, and "nomos" meaning natural laws. It is a scientific discipline that involves the study of human efficiency in their working environment.
Definition
Ergonomics, also known as human factors, is the application of psychological and physiological principles to the design of products, processes, and systems. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce human error, increase productivity, and enhance safety and comfort with a specific focus on the interaction between the human and the thing of interest.
History
The field of ergonomics has its roots in the industrial revolution of the 19th century, but it wasn't until World War II that it became a recognized discipline. The need to improve the efficiency and safety of military equipment led to the development of the field.
Types of Ergonomics
There are three main types of ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and organizational.
- Physical Ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
- Cognitive Ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system.
- Organizational Ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of socio-technical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes.
Related Terms
- Human Factors - The study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.
- Usability - The ease of use and learnability of a human-made object such as a tool or device.
- Workstation Design - The arrangement of components within a given space for the purpose of maximizing efficiency of movement.
- Anthropometry - The study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.
See Also
- Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
- International Ergonomics Association
- Occupational Safety and Health
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ergonomic
- Wikipedia's article - Ergonomic
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