IOP2603 EXAM PACK
2023
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
,IOP2603 EXAM PACK
2023
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
For enquiries contact
Email:
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes marketplace
IOP2603 – ERGONOMICS ASSIGNMENT 1 & 2 OF SEMESTER 1 - 2020
ASSIGNMENT 1 – UNIQUE NUMBER 892490
QUESTION 1
Discuss the major goals of Human Factor Ergonomics (HFE). Use relevant
examples to illustrate your answer. (15)
Three main goals of HFE:
The goal of safety – with regards to the goal of safety, the limitations of the operator
should be taken into consideration when designing tools, equipment or systems. To
determine the safety of the workplace, the limitations have to be compared to the
performance of the operator.
EXAMPLES
Protective gear for construction workings include:
helmets with head lights (for better illumination),
hardhats (deflects blows to the head),
safety goggles (protection against dust and sand)
Wearing a safety belt while driving.
Switching on headlights in fog, to improve vision.
The goal of productivity – increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which
work and other activities are performed, thereby increasing productivity. Safety must
be considered when focusing on productivity; there is usually a trade-off between the
two.
EXAMPLES emitted
New Technology
Ensure that equipment is in working order and user-friendly
Inform operators on their specific tasks and goals, to ensure that they know what
is expected of them.
The goal of operator satisfaction – The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to improve
and maintain the wellbeing of the individual worker. At the same time, the wellbeing
of the organisation will also be improved and maintained.
EXAMPLES
Ambient environment - better lighting, ventilation, noise reduction will reduce
stress
Improvement of the layout of the workplace.
By keeping the operator happy
QUESTION 2
According to Helander (2006), there are six common types of control coding.
Discuss these types of control coding. Also discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each coding method and give practical examples of their
application. (20)
Controls can be coded by adding features to them. This makes them easier to
distinguish.
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes marketplace
There are six common types of control coding (Sanders & McCormick 1993):
1. Location
This is the most powerful principle, expectations are built by experience,
example, in a car the ignition have been standardised and drivers have clear
expectations of where to find this function.
Advantage – it is standardised.
Disadvantage – you need experience in using certain functions.
2. Colour
This consists of different colouring depending on function and task.
Advantage – Different colours can make it easier to distinguish.
Disadvantage - problem with colour coding is that it only works in a well-
illuminated environment. Needs longer reaction time as you need to reflect on
meaning of colour.
Some control colours have stereotypical meaning, e.g. commonly emergency
controls are made red like in South Africa all emergency signs and controls
are associated with red.
Example – the different colour wires in an electrical circuit, to identify which
colour is used for which function or purpose.
3. Size
To distinguish easily between different controls, size can be one coding
option. Small, medium and large controls are used in highly pressurised
situations.
Advantage – it is easy to identify controls when using its size specifications.
Disadvantage – the size of some controls can sometimes be a problem if it is
the same size and it is close to each other.
Example – the lever to open the boot and petrol tank is next to each other, but
the one is smaller than the other, so it is easy to identify which one is for the
petrol tank when you feel it at the bottom, as it is the smaller control.
4. Shape
Controls can be coded by shape.
Advantage - An operator can distinguish up to 12 different shape coded
control knobs under stress.
Disadvantage – when controls have the same shape it is difficult to distinguish
between them and can be a challenge to some users.
It is best when control shape represents the control function, for example the
round joystick control knob of a construction machine that are used to turn the
loader bucket around in different directions.
5. Labelling
Labelling can be used to describe the control, above, below or along side.
The labels must be clearly visible and text readable from left to right.
Advantage – they make the controls easy to identify.
Disadvantage - Labels don’t survive in some harsh environments.
Example – the label of the airbag on a vehicles dashboard, that is readable,
visible and not removable.
2023
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
,IOP2603 EXAM PACK
2023
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
For enquiries contact
Email:
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes marketplace
IOP2603 – ERGONOMICS ASSIGNMENT 1 & 2 OF SEMESTER 1 - 2020
ASSIGNMENT 1 – UNIQUE NUMBER 892490
QUESTION 1
Discuss the major goals of Human Factor Ergonomics (HFE). Use relevant
examples to illustrate your answer. (15)
Three main goals of HFE:
The goal of safety – with regards to the goal of safety, the limitations of the operator
should be taken into consideration when designing tools, equipment or systems. To
determine the safety of the workplace, the limitations have to be compared to the
performance of the operator.
EXAMPLES
Protective gear for construction workings include:
helmets with head lights (for better illumination),
hardhats (deflects blows to the head),
safety goggles (protection against dust and sand)
Wearing a safety belt while driving.
Switching on headlights in fog, to improve vision.
The goal of productivity – increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which
work and other activities are performed, thereby increasing productivity. Safety must
be considered when focusing on productivity; there is usually a trade-off between the
two.
EXAMPLES emitted
New Technology
Ensure that equipment is in working order and user-friendly
Inform operators on their specific tasks and goals, to ensure that they know what
is expected of them.
The goal of operator satisfaction – The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to improve
and maintain the wellbeing of the individual worker. At the same time, the wellbeing
of the organisation will also be improved and maintained.
EXAMPLES
Ambient environment - better lighting, ventilation, noise reduction will reduce
stress
Improvement of the layout of the workplace.
By keeping the operator happy
QUESTION 2
According to Helander (2006), there are six common types of control coding.
Discuss these types of control coding. Also discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each coding method and give practical examples of their
application. (20)
Controls can be coded by adding features to them. This makes them easier to
distinguish.
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes marketplace
There are six common types of control coding (Sanders & McCormick 1993):
1. Location
This is the most powerful principle, expectations are built by experience,
example, in a car the ignition have been standardised and drivers have clear
expectations of where to find this function.
Advantage – it is standardised.
Disadvantage – you need experience in using certain functions.
2. Colour
This consists of different colouring depending on function and task.
Advantage – Different colours can make it easier to distinguish.
Disadvantage - problem with colour coding is that it only works in a well-
illuminated environment. Needs longer reaction time as you need to reflect on
meaning of colour.
Some control colours have stereotypical meaning, e.g. commonly emergency
controls are made red like in South Africa all emergency signs and controls
are associated with red.
Example – the different colour wires in an electrical circuit, to identify which
colour is used for which function or purpose.
3. Size
To distinguish easily between different controls, size can be one coding
option. Small, medium and large controls are used in highly pressurised
situations.
Advantage – it is easy to identify controls when using its size specifications.
Disadvantage – the size of some controls can sometimes be a problem if it is
the same size and it is close to each other.
Example – the lever to open the boot and petrol tank is next to each other, but
the one is smaller than the other, so it is easy to identify which one is for the
petrol tank when you feel it at the bottom, as it is the smaller control.
4. Shape
Controls can be coded by shape.
Advantage - An operator can distinguish up to 12 different shape coded
control knobs under stress.
Disadvantage – when controls have the same shape it is difficult to distinguish
between them and can be a challenge to some users.
It is best when control shape represents the control function, for example the
round joystick control knob of a construction machine that are used to turn the
loader bucket around in different directions.
5. Labelling
Labelling can be used to describe the control, above, below or along side.
The labels must be clearly visible and text readable from left to right.
Advantage – they make the controls easy to identify.
Disadvantage - Labels don’t survive in some harsh environments.
Example – the label of the airbag on a vehicles dashboard, that is readable,
visible and not removable.
