Whether it’s using a toothbrush, carrying a backpack, typing a paper or driving a car, there’s a right and a wrong way to do it, according to Donald Bloswick, director of the U’s Ergonomics and Safety Program.
Bloswick is one of many people in ergonomics who has participated in projects that may have gone overlooked by most people-projects that were concerned with, among other things, improvements in wheelchairs that help disabled individuals gain greater mobility.
Ergonomics, derived from the root words ergo, meaning “work,” and nomos, meaning “natural laws of,” is the science of work.
Many people go about life without giving much thought to the inventions they use, such as scissors, a screwdriver, or telephone buttons, and even less thought to the potential hazards that can come from the way in which such items are used.
For those who study ergonomics, a great part of the job is to look out for discrepancies or problems that don’t necessarily stand out.
“Take a calculator, for instance. The order of the numbers on a calculator doesn’t always match that of a telephone. When someone who uses a certain calculator over and over goes to use the phone, they’ll run into an inconsistency,” Bloswick said.
At first glance, such a detail may seem unimportant, but Bloswick said if there’s an emergency and dialing 911 within seconds is crucial to saving a life, a detail such as the order of numbers on a phone could get in the way of something much more important.
Engineering associate professor Richard Sesek said that looking deeper into everyday activities for potential stresses-mental or physical-can be greatly beneficial.
“Baskin Robbins is a classic example,” Sesek said. “Not only scooping the ice cream, but hunching over to reach it can cause physical pain.”
Sesek’s job is to research and teach what he calls the “human factors” of life, by researching methods of increasing comfort and reducing injuries.
Seven students of ergonomics are currently conducting research that involves workplace safety by videotaping different jobs in food, auto part and apparel manufacturing. By analyzing the tapes, they’ll be able to find out if any of the job tasks are causing harm to employees.
Sesek says that in addition to occupational research, ergonomics go far beyond the workplace.
“Almost anything with which a human comes in contact involves ergonomics,” Sesek said. “It’s not just occupational-cooking, driving, even adjusting a radio involves ergonomics,” Sesek said.
Driving a car has obvious hazards, including bad road conditions, careless pedestrians, cell-phone usage and according to Sesek, some not-so-obvious conditions.
“When you’re driving, a poorly designed car radio system could cause dangerous distractions for the driver who’s pushing too many buttons instead of watching the road. Or a speedometer-if the number increments are poorly placed, the driver may end up confused about what speed he or she is going,” Sesek said.
Bloswick also emphasizes the importance of proper mechanical engineering and design.
“The goal is to design things that are safe and intuitive. By intuitive I mean natural, easy to use, with or without instructions,” Bloswick said.
The study of ergonomics at the U has lightened the burden of everyday living for persons afflicted with debilitating diseases, such as cerebral palsy.
One example includes the creation of a tricycle designed for a child with cerebral palsy. The bike requires that the child perform specific maneuvers that help strengthen the body, and the bike is now sold all over the world.
“The bike was specifically designed to look cool, so the kids would feel special. It doesn’t look like a medical device. Other kids would ask to use the bike. They got real popular,” Sesek said.
Among other innovations in U ergonomics include wheelchairs that are capable of moving over snow or sand or one that helps lift people from their chairs to their walkers, a task that’s often difficult for many elderly people.
“Helping people really makes engineering take life. It’s very satisfying, but it’s the students that really get a kick out of it. I want people to know that it’s the students who build these things,” Bloswick said.
Spencer Reese, a graduate and research student, said he enjoys what he does.
“I think being involved with engineering that makes a difference in people’s lives makes it worth it. It’s about making life nicer,” said Reese, whose currently researching ways in which electric shock tests for people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome might be eliminated.
Sesek said that the term ergonomics is as much a marketing tool as it is a science.
“Anybody can call something ergonomic just to sell it. A tool is only ergonomic when it’s used to reduce the stress of a job. Virtually every car brochure today uses the word ergonomic.
Just because something is black or shiny doesn’t mean it’s ergonomic. People have to be aware of that,” Sesek said.
Bloswick agrees.
“To use the word ergonomic, all they have to be able to do is spell it,” he said.
