Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Human Factors and Ergonomics

• Unit Code

  OHS6133

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

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Description

In this unit students will explore a variety of proactive measures that should be implemented during the design phase of new plant or equipment to prevent work related injury and illness. In addition methods of mitigating ergonomic hazards in existing facilities will be covered specifically in relation to the interaction between humans and their work environment. A range of injury/illness reduction strategies will be investigated.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit is delivered online and as a consequence students wishing to enrol will need to have internet access.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded OHS5133

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply risk analysis techniques to identify design flaws.
2. Classify the factors that impede workplace performance and summarise methods of reducing that potential impacts on the workers.
3. Prioritise the concepts that must be considered when procuring ergonomically sound tools and equipment.
4. Select and use a range of ergonomic assessment tools to assist in the design and assessment of work environments.
5. Summarise the principles that must be addressed in the design of safe ergonomic workplaces.

Unit Content

1. Anthropometry, including static and dynamic data sources.
2. Basic work physiology and measures.
3. Catering for human variability through user-centred design.
4. Computer-based tools for safe design assessment.
5. Environmental factors including lighting, heat, cold, noise and vibration
6. Ergonomic methods and techniques.
7. Manual handling, repetitive work, office ergonomics and shiftwork.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and case studies.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Bridger, R.S. (2009). Introduction to ergonomics (3rd ed). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• Sears, A., & Jacko, J. A. (Eds.). (2007). Human-computer interaction handbook: fundamentals, evolving technologies, and emerging applications [electronic resource]. New York NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Marras, W. S. & Karwowski, W. (Eds.). (2006). The occupational ergonomics handbook: Fundamentals and assessment tools for occupational ergonomics (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• MacLeod, D. (2012). The rules of work: A practical engineering guide to ergonomics (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
• Lehto, M. R. & Buck, J. R. (2008). Introduction to human factors and ergonomics for engineers [electronic resource]. New York NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Kroemer, K. H. E. (2008). Fitting the human: introduction to ergonomics (6th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.
• Bhattacharya, A. & McGlothlin, J. D. (2012). Occupational ergonomics: Theory and applications (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• Ahram, T. Z. & Karwowski, W. (2012). Advances in physical ergonomics and safety. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• Pikaar, R. N., Koningsveld, E. A. P. & Settels, P. J. M. (Eds.). (2007). Meeting diversity in ergonomics [electronic resource]. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.
• Marras, W. S. & Karwowski, W. (Eds.). (2006). The occupational ergonomics handbook: Interventions, controls, and applications in occupational ergonomics (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
• Stevenson, M. G. (2006). Safety by design (2nd ed.). Balgowlah, NSW Australia: Mike Stevenson Ergonomics.
• Strasser, H. (Ed.). (2007). Ergonomics, human factor and safety, Volume 1: Assessment of the ergonomic quality of hand-held tools and computer input devices. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press.

Journal References

• Human factors
• Applied ergonomics
• International journal of industrial ergonomics

Website References

• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA) http://www.ergonomics.org.au/
• International Ergonomics Association (IEA) http://www.iea.cc/

^ Mandatory reference

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