| CODE | CLS2401 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Ergonomics and Design | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit introduces students to Ergonomics (or human factors), its methods and benefits. Students are introduced and taught to apply important physical, biological and cognitive factors which influence the design of products and workspaces, these include: anthropometrics and biomechanics; human senses; human information processing, decision-making, error and mental workload; and the physical environment. The unit also covers ergonomic standards and discusses the application of ergonomic principles for different categories of users, such as gender, age, culture and disability. Study-Unit Aims: - Introduce students to ergonomics, the implications of good and bad design and its methods; - Present and apply important biologic, cognitive and physical factors which influence human-interaction with products and workplaces; - Discuss product and workplace design for specific populations including: age; gender; disability; and culture. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define ergonomics and state the benefits of ergonomics in design and technology; - Analyse task analysis as it relates to design and technology; - Discuss the following factors and apply them to the design of equipment and workspaces: anthropometry; biomechanics; human senses; perception; human-information processing and decision making; mental workload, memory and error; the design of displays and controls; - Evaluate the needs of different categories of individuals such as different age groups, genders, cultures and the disabled and analyse how products and workspaces are design to meet these needs. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Conduct an ergonomics audit of a product or workplace; - Design products and workplaces by means of a holistic human-centred approach; - Conduct a task analysis. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bridger, R. (2009). Introduction to ergonomics (3rd ed). London: CRC press. - Health and Safety Executive. (2013). Understanding ergonomics at work (RR. INDG90). Available from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg90.pdf Supplementary Readings: - European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2009). The human machine interface as an emerging risk. Available from: https://osha.europa.eu/en/toolsand publications/publications/literature_reviews/HMI_emerging_risk - Health and Safety Executive. (1999). Reducing error and influencing behaviour. Available from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg48.htm - Pheasant, S. & Haslegrave, C.M. (2005). Bodyspace: anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work (3rd ed). London: CRC press. - Salvendy, G. (2012). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics (4th ed). New Jersey: John Wiley and sons. - Stanton, N.A., Salmon, P.M., Rafferty, L.A., Walker, G.H., Baber, C. & Jenkins, D.P (2013). Human factors methods. England: Ashgate Publishing Limited. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Luke Anthony Fiorini |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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