Factors to describe the current work force (click on each one for additional information and to complete the form)

Age

Gender

Stature/Weight

Hand Dominance

Training

Experience

 Age

Physiological changes occur as a matter of aging:

• Strength and flexibility may significantly decrease.

• Aerobic capacity and endurance decrease.

• Visual acuity may deteriorate.

• Reflexes and hand-eye coordination may deteriorate.

• With age, work experience associated with work expertise is typically enhanced. 

• Experienced workers bring a valuable factor to the workplace.

Age range: ______ years to_ ______ years

Average age: _______ years

Gender

Determination of workforce gender is in no way meant to imply any form of sex discrimination. Rather, knowledge of the gender breakdown is often required to implement successful ergonomics interventions:

• Fit and use of work stations, tools, equipment and clothing. For example small hand size vs. large hand size in relation to tool handle size.

• Match between physical demands of the job and functional capacity levels of the worker.

Stature/Weight

Anthropometry - the study of the size and shape of the body plays an important role.  Assessing the stature and weight numerical ranges of the workforce are necessary to provide for adequate design and use of the workplace.

In other words . . . How tall? How short? How big? How small?

Stature range:  ______ inches to _______ inches

Weight range: _______ lbs to _______ lbs

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Hand Dominance

Approximately 90% of the general population is right-hand dominant. As a result, most work stations, tools and equipment are designed and set up to accommodate right hand dominance use.

This often presents complications for the remaining 10% of the workforce.  Of course there are those lucky few who are ambidextrous!

% Right handed _______

 % Left handed  _______

Training

Appropriate work station design is only part of the issue. The very best ergonomics design can be rendered worthless if the worker is poorly trained in its use. Training may be considered to have two primary parts.

Technical

• Has the worker been adequately trained in the work process?

• Can the worker properly demonstrate the technical aspects of the job process and work demands?

Safety

• Has the workforce been adequately trained in the safe performance of the job tasks?

• Has the workforce been adequately trained in methods (work station setup, tool use, breaks, stretching, and warm-up activities, etc.) to control job fatigue?

Present level of training to accomplish task:

_______ Adequate (will NOT require any additional training)

_______ Inadequate (will require additional training)

Experience

An experienced, well-seasoned workforce is a valuable resource. We need to examine the workforce in terms of experience level.

• What is the general work experience level of the workforce or worker?

• Is the level of experience considered to be a significant factor in designing the job task?

Through interview of the workers and others along with review of any pertinent personnel information determine the general level of work experience of the workforce or worker. (circle one)

LOW           MODERATE          HIGH

Go to Step 3.  Design the Workstation