Lab+10

//** 1.Write three paragraphs to define the term 'ergonomics'. (3 paragraphs) **//

Ergonomics is the science of designing a safe work atmosphere in the effort to successfully decrease incidents and prevent common work injuries. The focus is to find a correlation between people and their work environment by looking at the design of the equipment within the workplace.

This can be exemplified through investigating the positioning of a keyboard/mouse on a desk to allow designers to decipher whether or not this positioning will assure their comfort and productivity. In addition, investigating the distance between the employee/computer screens will demonstrate if the set distance is the cause a troubled area.

Designers target those in particular who suffer from sore necks/backs caused from the incorrect placement of utilities in the workplace for a solution. Therefore, recent designs have been manifested to attend to these particular issues. Various designs consist of a keyboards and mice equipped with a soft pad to reduce stress upon the wrists on while typing. Comfortable chairs are a necessity in reducing tension within the lower back region and create a more comfortable work environment.

//** 2. What is the 'Gilbreth system of motion analysis' (1 paragraph) **//

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth created the Gilbreth system of motion analysis from studying bricklaying. Bricklaying caused much discomfort for workers since they had to endure long hours of lifting and placing the bricks. This contributed to back problems as well as extreme fatigue and illness. Gilbreth scrutinized the bricklayers further developing a new method of bricklaying, a non-stooping platform scaffold.

//** 3. How was Henry Ford influenced by the efficiency expert, Frederick Taylor? (2 paragraphs) **//

Henry Ford is an American mechanical engineer who was influenced by Frederick Taylor. Taylor’s ideology of “scientific management,” whereby the production process is analyzed, in order to improve overall production output was essentially monitored by a stopwatch. The stopwatch was used to time workers so that they can evaluate their productivity output.

Ford encompassed and developed the assembly line in 1913. This allowed manufactured goods to be conveyed to the worker. The assembly line terminated the demand for skilled workers since Ford simplified the mobile production. Nevertheless, this tactic was fairly monotonous since workers were repeating the same procedure.

//** 4. What are the four basic principles of McDonaldization? (List of 4) **//

1) Efficiency 2) Calculability 3) Predictability 4) Control