Ergonomics /human factors education in United Kingdom

This paper presents a summary of the Ergonomics and Human Factors (EHF) professional accreditation process in the UK. EHF education can be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) as qualifying courses and as short (training) courses. A framework is used as professional competencies (5 units) with expected levels of proficiency to support career development through membership grades (student, graduate, registered, fellow). An example of education is given with the 5 postgraduate programmes (MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate) at Loughborough University: Ergonomics and Human Factors, Human Factors in Transport. Human Factors for Inclusive Design, Ergonomics in Health and Community Care, and Human Factors and Ergonomics for Patient Safety. Finally, an opportunity is offered to explore competency with an affiliate discipline (Unser Experience) in the context of usability testing for medical devices

Towards the integrated measurement of hand and object interaction

This paper describes the first stages towards an integrated package of quantitative methods for the measurement of hand-object interaction. To date, quantitative data concerning a product's ease of use has not been adequately defined to assist product developers and legislators in their evaluation. A better understanding is needed of the complex interaction between the hand and an object during task performance A model of the physical interaction between hand and object is described that emphasises the role of the biomaterials of the hand rather than focusing on the conscious implementation of muscle involvement. The model subdivides hand-object interaction during grip into three levels: Gross interaction where the skeletal structure and muscles influence the grip pattern providing a mechanical structure to clamp the object; Intermediate interaction, where the soft tissues of the palm of the hand provide a mechanical interlock with the surface features of an object; and Micro interaction, which involves adhesion between the sebum, epidermis and surface material of the object. This model of hand-object interaction provides a contextual framework for the measurement of levels of hand-object interaction. A battery of methods, which includes consideration of anthropometry, joint range of movement, grip strength, finger compliance, finger friction and the measurement of dynamic task performance, is described. A case study is used to illustrate the potential application of such data for the design/redesign of a product

The specification of personalised footwear for rapid manufacturing: a pilot study

Although rapid manufacturing has potential in producing personalised footwear, it is not known how best to measure feet in this context nor even whether a personalised shoe can positively affect comfort, performance and prevent risk from injury. A pilot study was conducted to define anthropometric measurement techniques for specifying personalised footwear and evaluate the most effective methods of measuring discomfort, performance and injury risk. Recreational runners were recruited and had anthropometric measurements taken as well as the plantar surface of both feet scanned. Participants then were fitted with footwear under two experimental conditions: control and personalised insole. The footwear were compared in terms of discomfort ratings, performance and injury risks. Metatarsophalangeal joint height and hallux height showed positive correlations (p< 0.05) with discomfort scores in the forefoot, whereas relative arch deformation showed significant positive correlations (p<0.05) with discomfort scores in the midfoot and arch areas. No significant differences were found between the two conditions for discomfort scores and performance. With regard to injury risks, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the two conditions for midfoot peak plantar pressure. The results suggest that producing personalised insoles from scan data and the rapid manufacturing process is feasibl

Development of a QFD based collaborative design approach to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Participatory ergonomics can help reduce the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Its potential can be enhanced by increasing user participation and by helping to provide pragmatic solutions to reduce workplace risks. Research is being conducted to examine the potential of a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) based design approach in reducing work-related MSDs by helping to establish design solutions for equipment and processes. In this pursuit, research has been conducted to investigate potential worker involvement in the participatory process by evaluating their ability to identify risks and user requirements for design to help reduce work-related MSDs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of workers (n=22) in three different case study areas. Their line managers (n=6) were also interviewed. Observations and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) analysis of the work tasks were carried out to supplement and triangulate the worker interview data. The study showed that the workers were able to identify risks and requirements related to tasks. All the workers expressed concern about manual handling. Issues related to awkward postures were also identified by the majority of workers in all three case study areas. The risks and requirements for task improvement extracted from worker interviews were prioritised and details were added from the researcher observations. Findings will inform the development of a QFD matrix-based collaborative design approach to establish design solutions and potentially reduce work-related MSDs

The prevalence of musculoskeletal troubles among car drivers

In order to explore the relationship between car driving and musculoskeletal troubles, a cross-sectional structured-interview survey of low to high mileage drivers (including individuals who drove as part of their job) was conducted based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The results clearly showed that exposure to car driving was associated with reported sickness absence due to low back trouble and that those who drive as part of their job appear to be more at risk from low back trouble than those whose jobs primarily involve sitting (not driving) and standing activities. The frequency of reported discomfort also increased with higher annual mileage. In addition, drivers of cars with more adjustable driving packages had fewer reported musculoskeletal troubles. This identifies an urgent need for the training of managers of fleet vehicles in the importance of developing measures to reduce this problem. For example, the selection of an individual's car with respect to comfort and postural criteria

Interface pressure and the prediction of car seat discomfort

The technique of interface pressure measurement has generated considerable interest in the automotive industry as a method, which could be used to predict driver discomfort during the development of prototype seat designs. Two repeated measures experiments were carried out to evaluate the practical application of the technique. The variables of foam density and posture were used to create discomfort, the whole emphasis of the work being to generate results with real world applicability. A clear, simple and consistent relationship between interface pressure and driving discomfort was not identified. Future studies using this technique should provide information regarding such factors as gender, body mass, anthropometric data, posture and foam hardness due to the confounding nature of these variables

Re-inventing the journey experience - A multifaceted framework to comfort in autonomous vehicles

Future vehicles provide scope to completely re-invent the journey experience. Technological advances have enabled fast progression of driving automation which has the potential to deliver efficient, accessible, sustainable and clean transport systems. Level 4 autonomous vehicles provide an exciting opportunity for drivers and passengers to engage in many activities unrelated to the driving task (e.g. reading, work communication/social networking on mobile technologies, relaxing, watching films etc.) leading to benefits in terms of comfort, pleasure and productivity. There has already been a lot of work looking at the active safety systems autonomous vehicles will need to use as well as the accompanying Human Machine Interface (HMI). For example, studies that look at the time it takes to hand over control from the vehicle to the occupant, and from the occupant to the vehicle. However, little is known regarding the nature of the secondary activities that drivers will want to undertake, and how this will impact occupant comfort, the vehicle architecture, its features and functional safety systems. To understand the ergonomic and engineering impact, first we must capture and fully understand user needs and their preferences in terms of the type of activities that could be undertaken in-vehicle. Re-inventing the journey experience is a research program addressing the lack of research around the user experience of autonomous vehicles. The main aims of the program are to: (1) understand potential for improving the travelling experience; (2) understand what the ergonomic, legislative, safety and comfort constraints are in order to identify design constraints; (3) understand how design innovations can support new occupant requirements. This paper presents a multifaceted framework which aims to guide researchers and industry professionals to more pragmatic vehicle concepts

Reducing work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) through design: views of ergonomics and design practitioners

BACKGROUND: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) affect the well-being of workers. Unfortunately, user requirements for design to reduce workplace risk factors for MSDs are not always effectively communicated to designers creating a mismatch between the user requirements and what is ultimately produced. OBJECTIVE: To understand the views of practitioners of design and ergonomics regarding tools for participatory design and features they would like to see in such tools. METHODS: An online questionnaire survey was conducted with a cohort of practitioners of ergonomics and design (n=32). In-depth interviews were then conducted with a subset of these practitioners (n=8). To facilitate discussion, a prototype integrated design tool was developed and demonstrated to practitioners using a verbalized walkthrough approach. RESULTS: According to the results of the questionnaire survey, the majority (70%) believed an integrated approach to participatory design would help reduce work-related MSDs and suggested ways to achieve this, for example, through sharing design information. The interviews showed the majority (n=7) valued being provided with guidance on design activities and ways to manage and present information. CONCLUSION: It is believed that an integrated approach to design in order to help reduce work-related MSDs is highly important and a provision to evaluate design solutions would be desirable for practitioners of design and ergonomics

Building healthy construction workers: their views on health, wellbeing and better workplace design

Construction is a heavy manual industry where working into later life can be a challenge. An interview study was conducted to explore workers’ understanding of their health at work and ways of making their jobs easier, safer or more comfortable. Using purposive sampling, 80 trades’ workers were selected from construction sites in the UK. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Work Ability Index were used to explore aches and pains and reducing strain on the body. A high prevalence of symptoms was reported and ratings of work ability were high. Workers were aware of the physical demands of their work and had over 250 ideas around health and wellbeing e.g. rucksacks for tools, bespoke benches, adapting PPE, and higher cost solutions e.g. mechanical lifting aids. Engagement of the workforce should be encouraged and feed into change processes in the industry to enable all workers stay fit for work for longer

Better vehicle design for all

There is a growing population of older people around the world and the population of older drivers is showing a parallel increase. According to 2012 figures of the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency there are more than 15 million people with a driving license aged over 60; more than 1 million of these are over 80. A questionnaire survey of older compared to younger drivers (n=903) and supplementary interviews with drivers aged ≥ 65 years (n=15) were conducted. The questionnaire survey covered: musculoskeletal symptoms, the vehicle seat, access to specific vehicle features, ingress/egress, driving performance and driving behavior. In terms of musculoskeletal symptoms, significantly more discomfort was reported by older drivers in the hips, thighs, buttocks and knees compared to younger drivers. 10.5% of respondents reported that they were dissatisfied with adjusting specific seat features, namely the head rest height, head rest distance from the head and setting the seat belt height. Females reported more difficulty than males. Older males and females (16.8%) reported more difficulties with parallel parking and driving on a foggy day than younger (12.2%) drivers (p<0.01). Compared to younger drivers, older drivers also reported being less distracted when using navigation systems (25.5% and 19.5% respectively)