IOP2603
ERGONOMICS
PAST EXAM PACK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(2020 – 2014)
2020 MAY/JUNE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2020 SUMMARISED NOTES
DISCLAIMER: Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without any
representations or warranties, express or implied. This document is to be used for comparison, research and reference
purposes ONLY. Directly submitting and/or reselling/ distribution / reproduction any part of this document is not permitted.
,1|Page
EXAMINATION PACK
ERGONOMICS
IOP2603
PAST PAPER SOLUTIONS
, 2|Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
SUMMARIZED NOTES .............................................................................................................................. 3
OCT/NOV 2016 ........................................................................................................................................ 8
OCT/NOV 2017 ...................................................................................................................................... 15
MAY/JUNE 2018 .................................................................................................................................... 21
MAY/JUNE 2020 .................................................................................................................................... 28
, 3|Page
IOP 2603 SUMMARIZED NOTES
THE MAJOR SYSTEMS (HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS) GOALS The major systems goals in HFE are
discussed in Helander (2006:14–16). Study these pages. The main objective of ergonomics is to change
(improve) the things people use and the environments in which they use them to correspond with their
capabilities, limitations and needs. Three subobjectives of ergonomics can be distinguished, namely: •
increased safety of the user or operator • enhanced productivity • operator satisfaction 8 Cognitive
ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor
response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant topics
include mental workload, decision making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human
reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design.) Organisational
ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational
structures, policies, and processes. (Relevant topics include communication, crew resource
management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community
ergonomics, cooperative work, newwork paradigms, virtual organisations,telework, and
qualitymanagement.) INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS (HFE) The goal of safety
With regard to the goal of safety, the limitations of the operator should be taken into consideration
when designing tools, equipment or systems. Remember figure 1.3 in your prescribed book. Can you
think of a few examples that relate to the safety of the operator? The possibility of the operator
committing errors should be borne in mind when designing tools. What is the purpose of wearing a car
seat belt? What are some of the safety procedures for people working in the construction industry?
Why should football (soccer) players wear shin pads? The goal of productivity The second goal is to
increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which work and other activities are performed, thereby
increasing productivity. Why do organisations introduce new technology in the workplace? One reason
is to increase productivity. Examples of new technology to increase productivity by way of reducing the
production cycle are plentiful. The introduction of such technology does not only reduce the time it
takes to process or manufacture the product, but may also slash the production costs. Take the example
of a pressure cooker. How does a pressure cooker contribute to productivity? Why do construction
companies resort to using ready-made concrete mix delivered by trucks instead of using manual labour?
The trade-off between productivity and safety is an aspect that has to be carefully considered. One
cannot focus on productivity to the exclusion of safety. Look around your environment: what
productivity and safety trade-offs can you identify? Remember that humans are always at the centre of
every HFE design. We consider human capabilities and limitations in the design or redesign of tools or
equipment. The goal of operator satisfaction The third goal is to enhance the operator’s satisfaction.
Examples that address the third goal include reduced fatigue and stress, increased comfort in using
tools, greater user acceptance, increased job satisfaction and improved quality of life (Sanders &
McCormick 1987:4). Besides slashing the cooking costs (time, electricity and other factors involved), a
pressure cooker may alleviate fatigue and create other positive spinoffs. Can you think of other
examples of new technology that enhances operator satisfaction? The aims or objectives of ergonomics
are summarised below in figure 1.2. The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to improve and maintain the
well-being of the individual worker. At the same time, the well-being of the organisation will also be
improved and maintained. Ergonomics has certain advantages for the individual worker, such as an
ERGONOMICS
PAST EXAM PACK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(2020 – 2014)
2020 MAY/JUNE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2020 SUMMARISED NOTES
DISCLAIMER: Extreme care has been used to create this document, however the contents are provided “as is” without any
representations or warranties, express or implied. This document is to be used for comparison, research and reference
purposes ONLY. Directly submitting and/or reselling/ distribution / reproduction any part of this document is not permitted.
,1|Page
EXAMINATION PACK
ERGONOMICS
IOP2603
PAST PAPER SOLUTIONS
, 2|Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
SUMMARIZED NOTES .............................................................................................................................. 3
OCT/NOV 2016 ........................................................................................................................................ 8
OCT/NOV 2017 ...................................................................................................................................... 15
MAY/JUNE 2018 .................................................................................................................................... 21
MAY/JUNE 2020 .................................................................................................................................... 28
, 3|Page
IOP 2603 SUMMARIZED NOTES
THE MAJOR SYSTEMS (HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS) GOALS The major systems goals in HFE are
discussed in Helander (2006:14–16). Study these pages. The main objective of ergonomics is to change
(improve) the things people use and the environments in which they use them to correspond with their
capabilities, limitations and needs. Three subobjectives of ergonomics can be distinguished, namely: •
increased safety of the user or operator • enhanced productivity • operator satisfaction 8 Cognitive
ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor
response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant topics
include mental workload, decision making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human
reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system design.) Organisational
ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational
structures, policies, and processes. (Relevant topics include communication, crew resource
management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community
ergonomics, cooperative work, newwork paradigms, virtual organisations,telework, and
qualitymanagement.) INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS (HFE) The goal of safety
With regard to the goal of safety, the limitations of the operator should be taken into consideration
when designing tools, equipment or systems. Remember figure 1.3 in your prescribed book. Can you
think of a few examples that relate to the safety of the operator? The possibility of the operator
committing errors should be borne in mind when designing tools. What is the purpose of wearing a car
seat belt? What are some of the safety procedures for people working in the construction industry?
Why should football (soccer) players wear shin pads? The goal of productivity The second goal is to
increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which work and other activities are performed, thereby
increasing productivity. Why do organisations introduce new technology in the workplace? One reason
is to increase productivity. Examples of new technology to increase productivity by way of reducing the
production cycle are plentiful. The introduction of such technology does not only reduce the time it
takes to process or manufacture the product, but may also slash the production costs. Take the example
of a pressure cooker. How does a pressure cooker contribute to productivity? Why do construction
companies resort to using ready-made concrete mix delivered by trucks instead of using manual labour?
The trade-off between productivity and safety is an aspect that has to be carefully considered. One
cannot focus on productivity to the exclusion of safety. Look around your environment: what
productivity and safety trade-offs can you identify? Remember that humans are always at the centre of
every HFE design. We consider human capabilities and limitations in the design or redesign of tools or
equipment. The goal of operator satisfaction The third goal is to enhance the operator’s satisfaction.
Examples that address the third goal include reduced fatigue and stress, increased comfort in using
tools, greater user acceptance, increased job satisfaction and improved quality of life (Sanders &
McCormick 1987:4). Besides slashing the cooking costs (time, electricity and other factors involved), a
pressure cooker may alleviate fatigue and create other positive spinoffs. Can you think of other
examples of new technology that enhances operator satisfaction? The aims or objectives of ergonomics
are summarised below in figure 1.2. The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to improve and maintain the
well-being of the individual worker. At the same time, the well-being of the organisation will also be
improved and maintained. Ergonomics has certain advantages for the individual worker, such as an
