Unit IV Assignment Reference Lehto M Landry S J 2013

Unit Iv Assignmentreferencelehto M Landry S J 2013 Introdu

This assignment involves completing a series of four exercises based on human factors and ergonomics, as presented in Lehto and Landry's "Introduction to human factors and ergonomics for engineers" (2nd edition). The goal is to evaluate controls for mitigating ergonomic hazards through task analysis, flow diagramming, fault tree analysis, and failure mode analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

Exercise 1: Task Analysis

The method selected for this task analysis is the Step-by-Step task analysis. The task involves lifting a 25-pound box (measuring 18 inches x 18 inches x 18 inches) from the floor and placing it on a desk that is 36 inches high. The steps are as follows:

  1. Approach the box on the floor.
  2. Bend at the hips and knees to grasp the box with both hands.
  3. Lift the box by straightening the legs and keeping the back straight.
  4. Walk toward the desk while carrying the box.
  5. Place the box on the desk surface.

Potential hazards associated with each step include:

  • Step 1: Bending increases the risk of lumbar strain.
  • Step 2: Poor grip or awkward hand positioning can cause muscle strain or drop the box.
  • Step 3: Lifting with improper posture may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
  • Step 4: Carrying heavy loads over distance can cause fatigue and imbalance.
  • Step 5: Placing the box onto a high surface may require awkward reaching, leading to shoulder strain.

Ergonomic improvements to reduce hazards include:

  1. Create a designated, stable lift zone close to the worker to minimize bending and reaching.
  2. Use mechanical aids such as dollies or carts to transport the box, reducing manual load.
  3. Position the desk at an appropriate height or provide a step ladder to avoid overstretching when placing the box.

Exercise 2: Flow Diagram

The task of cart retrieval at a grocery or big-box store involves the following flow:

Customers enter the store and pick up a shopping cart from the designated cart area near the entrance. They load their shopping items and push the cart through the store aisles. Once finished, they push the cart to the designated cart return area, typically located in the parking lot. Customers then park their vehicles, and staff or designated personnel collect the carts from the return area for cleaning and redistribution.

The flow diagram visually would include shapes such as ovals for "Start" (Entering store), rectangles for "Pick up cart," "Shop for items," "Return cart," and "Park vehicle," with arrows connecting these steps in sequence. Decision points, such as whether the cart is collected or returned, can be represented with diamonds.

The flow diagram shapes are to be customized graphically; here is the textual description for understanding:

  • Start (Oval): Customer enters store
  • Process (Rectangle): Pick up cart
  • Process (Rectangle): Shop for items
  • Decision (Diamond): Completed shopping?
  • Process (Rectangle): Push cart to return area
  • End (Oval): Park vehicle and end process

Exercise 3: Fault-Tree System

Scenario: Beth falls and injures her knee after rushing in the parking lot while talking on her cell phone, carrying multiple bags, and wearing inappropriate footwear.

Within the scenario, an example to insert into the third tier of the fault tree is: Slippery walking surface due to poorly drained asphalt.

Choosing the AND gate "Walking Surface," a possible preventative measure would be to implement regular maintenance and drainage improvements in the parking lot to prevent water accumulation and black ice formation, especially during freezing and rainy conditions.

By installing proper drainage systems and promptly removing slush and ice, the risk of slips and falls can be significantly decreased in future instances.

Exercise 4: Faulty Modes and Effects Analysis

When using a cell phone to contact 911 instead of a landline, several potential failures and their effects could occur. Failures include poor signal reception due to network congestion, battery failure, or accidental disconnection. Effects of these failures might be the inability to reach emergency services promptly, delayed response times, or missed alerts. On the other hand, landlines typically provide a stable connection, power backup, and direct location information. Detecting failures in cell phone contact is critical because any delays or inability to summon help could result in worsening medical emergencies or safety threats, emphasizing the importance of reliable communication systems during emergencies.

References

  • Lehto, M., & Landry, S. J. (2013). Introduction to human factors and ergonomics for engineers (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  • Carayon, P. (2007). Human factors and ergonomics in health care and patient safety. Applied ergonomics, 38(6), 531-537.
  • Helander, M. G. (2006). A guide to human factors and ergonomics. CRC Press.
  • Salvendy, G. (2012). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Dul, J., & Weerdmeester, B. (2008). Ergonomics for beginners: a quick reference guide. CRC Press.
  • Ng, S. T., & Carter, M. (2008). Ergonomics evaluation of manual lifting tasks. Applied ergonomics, 39(2), 152-160.
  • Vink, P., & Hallbeck, S. (2012). Ergonomics in the workplace. Applied ergonomics, 43(4), 803-808.
  • Rowlinson, S., & Cawood, S. (2019). The importance of safety communication. Safety Science, 120, 306-318.
  • Fleming, M. F., & McDonald, N. (2013). Workplace safety and accident prevention. Routledge.
  • Wickens, C. D., & Hollands, J. G. (2000). Engineering psychology and human performance. Pearson Education.

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