Ergonomics

Moderator:
Greta Nemirofl; Director, CCLOW;
Quebec

Panelists:
Ruth Heron, Ergonomist, Transportation
Development Centre, Transport Canada

Françoise Poirier, Ergonomist,
Laval University

The object of ergonomics is the study of humans performing tasks. Francoise Poirier presented an overview of job analysis in the light of three factors, fundamental to any occupation:

• Physical environment; i.e., the global organization surrounding a task and exerting an influence on performance.

• Physical charge; i.e., physical effort required, posture in performing certain tasks, and specific aspects such as repetition, rhythm, movement. etc.

• Mental charge, which may be defined by the intensity of mental activity required by a work situation. The degree of watchfulness and the density of required information are significant factors in determining mental charge.

Applied to a workplace in which microprocessors are widely used, ergonomics raises fundamental questions about the conditions and consequences of the operator/screen interface on the one hand, and the autonomy of workers on the other.

Ruth Heron reported on a study in which measurements of mental, physical and visual load were obtained for operators of various types of video display terminals (VDTs), and for a group of office workers not using the VDT. These measurements were supplemented with follow-up observational procedures. Results suggested that: 1) for VDT operators, symptoms of load will be manifested mainly among those carrying out dull, repetitive tasks on a full-time basis; and 2) use of the VDT apparatus is associated with ergonomic problems, which compound the stressful effects of continuous routine work. It was argued that, as women are mainly employed in such jobs, these findings pertain primarily to them.

It was also suggested that the ergonomic problems related to full-time VDT operation would be maximally reduced only through new approaches to job design. Relevant criteria were discussed.

Action:

• Both labour and management must see to it that dull, repetitive, functionally organized jobs are replaced with multi-function jobs.

• Jobs must be designed to include decision-making, so that all employees share in a sense of responsibility and contribution.

• Self-pacing, in harmony with the workers' flow of energy, should be substituted for machine-pacing.

• All physical arrangements in the work environment must be organized to favour the mental and physical health of all workers.