What is Ergonomics? (Human Centered Design #1)

What is ergonomics? Merriam-Webster defines it as “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.”

The focus of ergonomics is to make each individual a highly productive worker while keeping them physically and psychologically healthy. Whether you are working underground or sitting at a desk, each job comes with its drawbacks, whether it is psychological fatigue or physical distress.

According to notes taken by Cornell students, ergonomics was derived by Prof. Hugh Murrell in 1950 from two greek words: “ergon” – work and “nomos” – natural law. UK formed an official society in 1952, with the United States following five years later with The Human Factor Society.

Even though the the phrase “ergonomics” was created in 1950, the concept has been utilized for many years, with a good example dating back to the building of the pyramids. Obviously, using hundreds of men to lift massive stone blocks would cause exhaustion, leading to an inefficient crew. As an ergonomic solution, they found out that wetting the sand in front of the block in conjunction with a machine created to pull the block allowed for exponentially easier access to moving the stone blocks.

Simple but often overlooked ergonomic changes enhance workplace efficiency and allows better quality of work. The study of ergonomics benefits both the employers and the employees.

Sources:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergonomics

http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/DEA3250Flipbook/DEA3250notes/ergorigin.html

https://ergosource.com/ergonomics-resources/the-history-of-ergonomics/

https://www.livescience.com/45285-how-egyptians-moved-pyramid-stones.html