Bert Moore

If you don't pay attention to it, ergonomics can be a real pain in the...wrist. Repetitive stress syndrome is only one result of poor ergonomic design.

According to the "Random House Webster's School & Office Dictionary," ergonomics is "an applied science that coordinates the design of devices and systems with the requirements of workers."

I want to take that one step further and suggest that good ergonomic system design includes the selection of devices and systems that are "ergonomical."

Real Ergonomics

"Ergonomical"?

Let me explain it this way. "Economics" is the study of income or wealth. If we're "economical" that means we use income or wealth wisely. Similarly, if we're "ergonomical" we use effort or work wisely. That's the basis of "real" ergonomics.

Let's take a look at what this means in more concrete terms. (Note, the obvious considerations of weight, shape, size, and so on should be taken into account. Devices should be tested in actual applications by people who'll use them. The following examples are designed to look at less typical factors to help you start thinking "ergonomically.")

Bar code scanning: Typical laser "guns" (and wearable scanners) are great for scanning bar codes on shipping containers and other vertical surfaces because they're designed to point straight-ahead along the line of the arm.

These same scanners, however, may be murder to use when the bar codes are horizontal because the symbol is at right angles to the arm -- requiring serious wrist-twisting for reading. Or it might require the worker to pick up the item first -- a complete waste of effort -- just to read the bar code. This is not "ergonomical."

For reading bar codes flat on a surface, a CCD, wand, or small fixed-location scanner is usually better.

Key-entry: (Okay, I know, we're not supposed to do this, but we do) can be easy or difficult, based on the design of the keypad/keyboard. Even if workers are only entering an occasional quantity, having to hunt around for the "4" takes time away from the activity. Take a look at the keypad – is it telephone layout, computer keypad layout, or something else? Choose a keypad layout that matches the one employees are most likely to use.

The same is true for alphanumerics. Are special shift keys required; is the layout convenient and/or intuitive; is it QWERTY or ABCD? Which will employees find easier?

If you don't think this really has anything to do with ergonomics, try holding a brick in your hand for about 15 minutes – this will give you an idea of the amount of time and energy an employee might have to waste every shift with the wrong keypad layout.

Displays: The displays on data collection devices can contribute significantly to eye strain (using the eyes requires as much human energy as physical labor).

Small, poor-contrast displays are obvious problems. Workers either have to strain to see them – or they tend to ignore them. Having to struggle to read the display is a pure waste of time and energy. Ignoring the display can lead to having to rescan a symbols or (horrors) key entry of incorrect data.

Constantly changing focus between small displays and distant objects can also be a waste of human energy. Some data collection terminal manufacturers recognize this and offer different display text sizes to approximate the size of text a worker may be reading from packaging. While this doesn't eliminate all the eye strain, it can greatly reduce it.

Technology Choice: This point is frequently overlooked. Using a bar code scanner and bar coded menu, for example, may seem like a good idea. But if there are lots of choices, having to flip through page after page of bar code menus while holding a scanner isn't "ergonomical." A voice recognition or pen-based system might be much better.

Similarly, scanning items as they're received or moved usually makes sense. But what if these items are the same items all the time (like returnable containers, production line trays, etc.)? Does it make sense to have employees scan them at all? Wouldn't an RFID tag or fixed location scanner really be more "ergonomical"?

Benefits of Being "Ergonomical"

Obviously, selecting equipment and technologies that do not promote repetitive movement syndrome has benefits directly related to employee well-being. That's worthwhile in itself. Add the savings in legal and health care costs and it's hard to quibble.

And, yes, "ergonomical" equipment will increase productivity as well.

Of equal importance, however, is the overall tone "ergonomical" equipment can produce. Workers that have to fight with their data collection devices aren't happy campers. They're wasting energy with the equipment – and they're wasting energy being angry.

Equipment that makes their jobs easier can help reduce stress levels. And that is a real "ergonomical" benefit.