Macro-Ergonomics
Read Chapter 8: Macro-ergonomics: task analysis and process mapping
Read Chapter 9: Computer simulation of processes and tasks
The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice utilizing these processes toward evaluating
common controls for mitigating ergonomic-related hazards.
Instructions: This assignment involves completing a series of four exercises.
Exercise 1: Task Analysis
Take the simple task of lifting a 25-pound box (18 inches x 18 inches x 18 inches) from the floor and
placing it on a desk that is 36 inches high from the floor. In the space below, perform a task analysis by
using one of the methods described in the textbook and listing the steps for completing the task. Then,
list the potential hazards associated with each step (i.e., stressors, CTDs, MSDs). Also, provide at least
three ways to improve the task from an ergonomics perspective.
Task Analysis
Identify the method you used =
Task = Lifting a box from the floor and placing it on a desk.
In the spaces below, list the steps for the task. List the potential hazards for each step
Ergonomic Improvements
List at least three ways to improve the steps while avoiding the hazards.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Exercise 2: Flow Diagram
Using the flow-diagram system, describe in detail the task of cart retrieval at the local grocery store or
big box store. Start from the point where the customer acquires the cart inside the store and then
discards the cart in the cart storage within the parking lot. This exercise requires two items from you:
(1) a paragraph that describes the flow of tasks and (2) the flow diagram that visually represents the
flow of tasks by using the shapes below. Copy and paste the shapes as you need to. Also, feel free to
resize the shapes as you need to. Be sure to add a label to each shape, excluding the arrow.
Label
Label Label
Exercise 3: The Fault-Tree System
This exercise involves using the fault-tree system to help identify the cause of an event. First, read the
scenario and then identify examples within the scenario to insert into the third tier of the fault tree.
Second, select ONE of the AND gates and then propose a way to prevent the hazard from occurring
(through the AND gate) in the future.
While walking in from the parking lot, Beth fell and injured her knee. She was running late because she
stopped to get coffee for her supervisor. Usually, Beth carries her purse, personal-items bag, and her
laptop computer bag. Today, she added a coffee-cup carrier and was talking on her cell phone while
walking. Beth was also wearing her new dress shoes, a 4-inch heal with ½ inch sole. Beth felt rushed
because she was arriving after the start of her regular shift.
The surface of the parking lot is asphalt and does not drain properly. Beth regularly parks very close to
the front of the employee parking lot because she is usually one of the first to arrive. Today, because she
stopped to get coffee, she had to park near the back of the lot, which is 50 yards farther than her regular
parking spot. There is no defined walkway and the lot is not artificially lit during the day.
The weather conditions for this incident were an outside temperature right at 32 degrees F with a light
rain. The skies were overcast even though it was past 8:00 am. The walking surface was wet with rain
and slush building up, which made the walking surface very slippery. There was some black ice forming
on the ground where the incident occurred.
Select ONE of the AND gates (i.e., Employee, Walking Surface, and Surrounding Environment) from
Beth’s scenario and then propose a way to prevent the hazard from occurring in the future.
Exercise 4: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Using the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method, discuss the potential outcomes when using
a cell phone to contact 911 emergency services as opposed to using a landline (house) phone to contact
911. What failures might occur and what effects might those failures have on the outcome of
summoning help through the 911 system?
Type your response here (in 100 words):
Employee with knee pain from a fall
Walking Surface Employee Surrounding Environment
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