IOP 2603
Student number: 61169285
Unique Number: 699671
Assignment: 1
Semester: 1
Year: 2021
Due Date: 19/04/2021
,Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and why it is known as an
interdisciplinary subject. ............................................................................................. 3
Discuss the changes that take place in the eye when you get older and the
implications of those changes in the workplace. Also discuss which other aspects
need to be considered when designing or adapting a workplace for older workers. .. 5
Principles of HFE can be used to redesign a system to make it more productive and
safer. Discuss design improvements that can be undertaken to improve workplace
safety.......................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 7
Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 8
, Introduction
In the following essay I am going to attempt to explain what exactly Human factors and
Ergonomics (HFE) is, as well as why it is known as an interdisciplinary subject.
Furthermore, I will discuss and break down certain changes that occur in a person’s
eye as they get older and what implications these changes will have in a workplace. I
will also breakdown other elements that need to be considered when designing a
workspace for older people. Lastly, I will examine what design improvements can be
made to a workplace to improve all-round productivity and safety.
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and why it is known
as an interdisciplinary subject.
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the
profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimise human well-being and overall system performance (ErgoPlus, 2021).
To put this into simpler terms it is the science concerned with how people and their
work fit into one another. The science starts by putting people first by analysing their
capabilities and limitations and then makes sure that all relevant equipment,
environments, tasks, and information is suited to fit each worker. Ergonomics draws
on many different aspects in order to optimise the interaction between workers and the
work environment that they are exposed to daily. These aspects include:
Physical Environment
This aspect is mostly concerned with the human anatomical, anthropometric, and
biomechanical characteristics and how the relate the physical work that the worker will
be attending to. This includes:
• The workers posture.
• Materials the worker will be handling.
• Workplace layout.
• Health and safety (body and shape, fitness, and strength).
• Senses (Vision, hearing, touch).
Student number: 61169285
Unique Number: 699671
Assignment: 1
Semester: 1
Year: 2021
Due Date: 19/04/2021
,Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and why it is known as an
interdisciplinary subject. ............................................................................................. 3
Discuss the changes that take place in the eye when you get older and the
implications of those changes in the workplace. Also discuss which other aspects
need to be considered when designing or adapting a workplace for older workers. .. 5
Principles of HFE can be used to redesign a system to make it more productive and
safer. Discuss design improvements that can be undertaken to improve workplace
safety.......................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 7
Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 8
, Introduction
In the following essay I am going to attempt to explain what exactly Human factors and
Ergonomics (HFE) is, as well as why it is known as an interdisciplinary subject.
Furthermore, I will discuss and break down certain changes that occur in a person’s
eye as they get older and what implications these changes will have in a workplace. I
will also breakdown other elements that need to be considered when designing a
workspace for older people. Lastly, I will examine what design improvements can be
made to a workplace to improve all-round productivity and safety.
Explain what human factors and ergonomics (HFE) is, and why it is known
as an interdisciplinary subject.
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the
profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimise human well-being and overall system performance (ErgoPlus, 2021).
To put this into simpler terms it is the science concerned with how people and their
work fit into one another. The science starts by putting people first by analysing their
capabilities and limitations and then makes sure that all relevant equipment,
environments, tasks, and information is suited to fit each worker. Ergonomics draws
on many different aspects in order to optimise the interaction between workers and the
work environment that they are exposed to daily. These aspects include:
Physical Environment
This aspect is mostly concerned with the human anatomical, anthropometric, and
biomechanical characteristics and how the relate the physical work that the worker will
be attending to. This includes:
• The workers posture.
• Materials the worker will be handling.
• Workplace layout.
• Health and safety (body and shape, fitness, and strength).
• Senses (Vision, hearing, touch).
