Chapter 4
Assessment and Design of the
Physical Environment
Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
ABOUT THE CHAPTER
The physical work environment can have a
significant effect on productivity, safety and
health, worker satisfaction, and employee
turnover
Introduction to how environmental conditions
impact people with assessment methods
A toolbox of solutions to deal with problems in the
physical work environment
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
INTRODUCTION
The goal of the ergonomic designer is to ensure that
the work environment is safe, comfortable, and
conducive to the tasks people need to perform
Man-made environments can be modified to keep
them safe and comfortable; however, many
environments pose challenges that cannot be solved
by implementing environmental controls, for technical
or economic reasons
Ergonomic designers must focus on protecting
workers from dangerous or unpleasant environmental
conditions
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
CLEANLINESS, CLUTTER AND DISORDER
Dirty, cluttered, or poorly organized work
environments can lead to
! health problems
! accidents
! reduce employee morale and productivity
! reduce the quality of the products and services
! wasted space!!!
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Traditional Solution: Housekeeping and
Maintenance
Some general requirements for housekeeping:
! Cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled on a
frequent periodic
! Spilled liquids, dusts, and other objects should be
immediately cleaned up
! Washrooms and showers should be provided to workers in
dirty jobs
! Work and traffic areas should be clearly marked to separate
them from temporary storage areas for work in progress
(WIP)
! Convenient, easily accessible locations should be designated
for storing essential items used in the workplace
! Waste containers or other disposal devices should similarly
be provided in convenient locations
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
5S Programs
5S is a systematic approach for continuously
improving housekeeping (Hirano, 1996)
S1—Sort
S2—Set in Order
S3—Shine
S4—Standardize
S5—Sustain
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION
Luminous environment and its measurement
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Some Commonly Used Photometric
Measures
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Light Methods
Methods of artificial lighting:
! Direct radiant
! Indirect lighting
! Mixed direct radiant and indirect lighting
! Supplemental task lighting
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
The Advantages and Disadvantages of
Particular Light Sources
Source: IESNA Lighting Handbook (1993), supplier information, and Answers.com
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and lighting requirements
1. Provide enough lighting to ensure an adequate
level of visibility for the tasks
• Visibility:
" Visual angle:
a target of height (h) located at a distance (d) from an observer
" Contrast (C):
BL: the luminance of the brighter of two contrasting areas
BD: the luminance of the darker area
" Visual acuity:
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and Lighting Requirements
2. Less illumination is needed:
! when the visual acuity needed to perform the task is
low
! when the background luminance is high
! when the contrast between a visual detail and the
background is high
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and Lighting Requirements
3. Provide general illumination over a room for the most
typical tasks and supplement with auxiliary light
sources for more exacting visual tasks
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and Lighting Requirements
4. More illumination and contrast is often helpful
to people who are older or visually impaired
5. More illumination or contrast is needed when
viewing times are short
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and Lighting Requirements
6. Increasing either the contrast between an object
and its background or the size of critical details
can be a better strategy than increasing the
amount of illumination
7. Ambient illumination of luminous displays (ex.
CRTs and LEDs) should be minimized to improve
contrast. Light sources should be placed so they
do not directly illuminate the surface of
luminous displays
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
Principles and Lighting Requirements
8. Eliminate or try to minimize direct sources of
glare or shadows by using indirect lighting or by
appropriate positioning of light sources
9. Avoid or minimize extreme transitions in
illumination levels between adjoining areas of
the task or environment
10. Match the color and color-rendering properties
of light sources to the task-related needs of the
people using the environment
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
NOISE
Health effects of noise
Prevalence of impaired
hearing and sound levels
at work (NIOSH)
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Chapter 4 , Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics
