| CODE | CLS1323 | ||||||
| TITLE | Ergonomics and Human Factors | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit introduces students to the applied science of ergonomics. The unit follows this topic's systems approach and thus introduces students to the manner in which biopsychosocial and organisational factors affect workers' health and performance, the interaction between these factors and how work can be designed to fit workers. The unit also looks at other concepts that fall beyond the concept of fitting the work to the worker. Study-Unit Aims: The unit aims to: - Introduce students to the topic of ergonomics, and the implications of good and bad ergonomic design; - Evaluate the implications of the systems approach, fitting the job to the worker and fitting the worker to the job; - Discuss the different aspects of work design, whereby a holistic approach is considered within diverse work environments. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define ergonomics, human factors and related concepts during a final assessment; - Evaluate the relationship between ergonomics, occupational health and safety, and work performance in a final assessment; - Discuss the measurement, relevance and application of human sensing, bodily characteristics including anthropometrics and biomechanics, and cognitive processing to occupational health and work performance by means of a final assessment; - Analyse factors relevant to ergonomic assessment and design by means of a final presentation including: physical and mental workloads; static, repetitive work and heavy manual work; the physical and organisational work environment; workstation design; task and product design; - Evaluate the interaction of factors relevant to ergonomics within an organisation via a systems approach in a final presentation demonstrating appreciation for the whole bio-psychosocial and organisational system and its implications for the health and performance of workers; - Discuss the role of ergonomics in tackling common emerging health and safety topics such as musculoskeletal disorders and occupational stress during class discussion and a final assessment. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Appreciate and identify the biopsychosocial and organisational factors which impact upon individuals' health and work performance and their interaction; - Carry out an ergonomic assessment for a number of work environments including administrative and industrial settings; - Determine design solutions for system factors influencing workers' health and work performance. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bridger, R. (2008). 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/tools-and-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 | Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum & Seminar | ||||||
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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