Aim
This course provides a broad-based introduction to ergonomics principles and their application in the design of work, equipment and the workplace. Consideration is given to office ergonomics, manual handling, and ergonomics aspects of the environment as well as occupational health and safety legislation. The course is beneficial to management, supervisors, engineers, safety officers and safety representatives, and occupational health and safety practitioners wishing to obtain basic knowledge of ergonomics in order to identify, analyse, quantify and design solutions to problems at work. Successful completion of this course should enable the participant to appreciate and apply ergonomics principles to the creation of safer, healthier and more efficient and effective activities in the workplace.

Course content and learning outcomes
The course consists of five modules that include examples of good and poor ergonomics, and realistic problem-solving exercises.

Module 1: Introduction to ergonomics
The aim of this module is to give an introductory overview of ergonomics, including a broad framework with which you can gather and link together knowledge from specific areas of experiences. On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Define the meaning and application of ergonomics
• Explain the objective, focus and approach of ergonomics methods.
• Identify the human limitations and broad categories of capabilities that are pertinent to ergonomics.
• Explain the major benefits of ergonomics.
• Describe the application and types of intervention strategies used in ergonomics.

Module 2: Human abilities and limitations
The objective of this module is to enable you to gain insight into the role of anatomy, physiology and psychology as limiting factors of human capabilities. On completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Explain the importance of human limitations and capabilities of the user when designing or evaluating workstations.
• Describe the common concepts used to discuss anthropometry, biomechanics, and perception.
• Discuss examples of how anthropometry, biomechanics and work physiology can be applied in the evaluation of workstations.
• Discuss the importance of stereotypes in the control and display layout.

Module 3: Ergonomics in workstation and workspace
This module focuses mainly on the human-machine interface that typically exists in the design of commonly used machine/objects (e.g. automobiles, control rooms and computers). This includes issues surrounding these interfaces, such as the workspace and workstation, which are the domains of ergonomics consideration. The module provides practical examples of solving stereotype problems and of the selection of controls and displays. On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Identify the ergonomics standards and the design requirements that would enable effective and efficient use of machine/objects.
• Describe ergonomics requirements relating to the selection, design and layout of the controls and displays, and of workstations.
• Evaluate and critique machines or objects that do not meet the ergonomic requirements.

Module 4: Environmental limits and ergonomics evaluation methods
The module provides participants with an insight intof the main issues regarding environmental stressors and provides a basic knowledge of the ergonomics evaluation methods used for assessing health hazards at work environments. On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Identify the environmental stressors that affect performance capacity of the workers in a work environment.
• Discuss the impact of overexposure to physical environmental stressors on physical work capacity and health.
• Describe the differences between a physical work environment and organisational work environment.
• Address the deficiencies in work environments.
• Discuss limits to and/or standards with regard to environmental stressors.

Module 5: Implementing ergonomics programme in the workplace
The purpose of this module is to give you the basic knowledge to establish and implement a complete ergonomics programme. On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Define the goals and objectives of an ergonomics programme.
• Identify the measurement criteria used to evaluate the success of the ergonomics programme and intervention strategies.
• Establish an ergonomics working group to carry out all issues regarding ergonomics.
• Implement ergonomics control measures to reduce accidents or injuries and to increase productivity.
• Monitor the ergonomics programme.
• Developing in-house ergonomics skills.
• Evaluate the intervention strategies in terms of the measurement criteria.

Course dates and costs
The courses dates and costs will be communicated to applicants

Details of the ergonomics course can be obtained from Lizbe Venter or Tel +27 12 665 9400