Work Station Design in HFE

Transcription

1 Wrk Statin Design in HFE Prepared by: David Vermillin Student ID: Date Submitted: July 11, 2006 Califrnia State University, Dminguez Hills MSQA Internet Human Factrs in QAS QAS Instructr: Jim Clausn, D. Sc.

2 PROBLEM Althugh much expense and effrt has gne int the develpment and implementatin f the simulatrs and FTDs at this facility, classrm and wrkstatins did nt experience the same grwth in technlgy and mdern renvatins. There are imprvements in the near implementatin stage fr the classrm. The imprvements will prvide an almst simulatr like state-f-theart learning envirnment fr the students. HFE cncerns with this classrm implementatin will nt be the tpic f this paper. This paper will be limited t the wrkstatins made available fr the use by students and instructrs. The wrkstatins as discussed in the fllwing paragraphs and in the Backgrund Discussin sectin are very bare and basic. There is n design cnsideratin ther than t have the mst equipment in ne place t accmmdate the student-training lad. Develpment and design were nt utilized t imprve the cmfrt and training efficiency f the wrkstatin. Prblem areas that need t be addressed are: Chairs Cmputers Lighting Wrkstatin surfaces (desks) Chairs Chairs are nt designed fr extended sitting r fr lunging in a cmfrtable manner in which t be able t reach and perate training aids and cmputer equipment. The chairs are f limited mbility and are nt ergnmically designed t limit injuries, stresses, r strains t the student r instructr. Cmputers Cmputers are placed fr the purpse f prviding access fr the student r instructr. They are nt purchased r designed fr lng-term use, nr are they situated in a manner t accmmdate the range f different student sizes and capabilities. Much f the cmputer equipment ranges frm new, near new, and just plain ld. There is an upgrade effrt in prgress but it will be primarily fcused n the briefing rms and nt n the general student study areas r the instructr wrk areas.

3 Lighting Lighting is primarily verhead flurescent lights that are cmmn t buildings designed with the idea f being a classrm r ffice area. The rms are designed arund the idea f pen space with the prvisin f utilizing multiple prtable cubicles and ther mdular wrkspace innvatins. They are nt designed fr the best use by students wrking n cmputers and reading texts fr extended perids f time. Cmmn light switches are in place which cntrl n and ff with the mdern cnvenience f an aut n and ff feature dependent n the detectin f human presence (mvement) by mtin detectrs. It is nt uncmmn t see a student having t wave his arms peridically t make the light cme back n. Wrk Statins Wrkstatins are just extended tables that are abut 30 inches in depth. The cmputer, keybard, and muse pad all ccupy this limited space. The chair is psitined in frnt f the desk. The desk als has a supprt that runs acrss the underside that impedes the mvement f the legs and placement f the feet. In additin, the carpeted surface makes the mvement f the chairs nearly impssible. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION Intrductin In the aviatin training industry my current emplyer is ne f the premiere prviders. There are ver 1500 instructrs spread thrughut the cuntry in individual training facilities situated t take advantage f their prximity t either a primary aviatin client r t ne f several airplane builders r aircraft service centers. The purpse f the cmpany is t prvide excellent training in jet, prpeller, and helicpter aircraft fr clients wh have recently purchased a new aircraft and are receiving initial training, r are returning n a six-mnth r annual schedule fr recurrent training. Much f the regulatin that is the basis f this industry cmes frm the Federal Aviatin Administratin which dictates the levels f qualificatin that pilts need t be initially trained, retain cmpetency, and t regain their qualificatins if they d nt meet their experience minimums, and becme lapsed. Training is divided amng the varius aircraft types and cmes in the frm f Initial training, transitin training, recurrent training, r differences training. These training prgrams are aircraft specific and can range frm three weeks t fur days in length. In additin, fr every airframe, there are different mdels. These differences require the pilt student t becme familiar with the layut and

4 peratin f the different mdels. This training is called differences training and can be anywhere frm six t three hurs in duratin. Much f ur training is designed arund the availability f simulatrs. Althugh the training prgrams are designed t take advantage f the simulatrs they are divided int fur different training delivery methds. These delivery methds are simulatr, classrm, training device, and the self-study wrkstatin. Simulatrs The simulatrs are full mtin multi-axis training platfrms. They are munted n hydraulic stilts that are cntrlled by highly technlgical and cmputerized perating systems. The instructr sits at an Instructr Operatin Statin (IOS) lcated behind the pilts s that he can perate the simulatr, intrduce the real life scenaris, and be in a psitin t view the pilt s respnse t the changing envirnment. The students will sit in a mck cckpit that is just like the ne that wuld be in the real aircraft. Seating, perating cntrls, instrumentatin, and avinics all perate and are lcated in the same psitin as in the real aircraft. The simulatr s flight characteristics are the same as the aircraft as well r as clse as cmputer s can make them. The Federal Aviatin Administratin evaluates the simulatr during trials that put the simulatr thrugh different demnstrated flight regimens that duplicate peratins and respnses experienced in the real aircraft. The simulatr can nt be used t train pilts until after FAA evaluatin and apprval. Classrms Classrms are nt unlike thse evident in any prfessinal training facility. An verhead prjectr is psitined s that PwerPint and ther advanced visual media can be prjected n t the frnt wall f the classrm fr view by all the students. The frnt bard is actually a full length whitebard. This cnfiguratin allws fr the instructr t prject the lessn n the whitebard and write n the bard, next t r n the presentatin t highlight imprtant pints and t prvide fr mre thrugh understanding f the learning material. The students sit in chairs lcated in frnt f bench like tables that are usually in a three r fur rw layut. There are usually six chairs per table. It des at times get fairly clse when the class is full. Special classrms are available specifically designed fr avinics training with cmputer statins n each table that are linked t the instructr pdium. The wrk perfrmed by the students n their cmputers can be separately placed n the frnt bard fr all t share. In additin, since ur students cme frm many different cuntries, certain classrms are specially equipped t allw fr interpreters t assist in the transfer f learning.

5 Training Devices Training devices cme in varying frms. Flight Training Devices (FTD) are mck-ups f the aircraft cckpit but are nt designed fr mtin like the simulatrs. The FTDs can be mdeled after ne specific mdel r can represent a generic aircraft with the ability t place certain cmpnents (interchangeable) as required t allw training in different systems f the aircraft. Fr example, Flight Management Systems (FMS) cme in many mdels and levels f capability. Buttn pushing and reviewing f capabilities and peratins are very imprtant. The student must understand the capability f the FMS systems installed in their aircraft and must be cmpetent and quick befre they are allwed t practice within the simulatr. The FTDs can als allw fr mre students t view the peratins and benefit frm the training than in a simulatr. Simulatrs can nly handle tw crewmembers, an instructr, and maybe ne bserver. An FTD, in a prper lcatin, can handle five t ten students at a time. Wrk Statin Individual wrkstatins are lcated thrughut the facility. Primarily they are limited t student learning centers where training material and aviatin wall training aids can be suitably displayed t enhance the training experience. The wrkstatins cnsist f tables alng ne wall with individual cmputer statins spaced abut a chair length apart. Headphnes are prvided fr use by the students s that they can learn frm cmputer based prgrams withut interfering with ther students. In additin, there are individual training aids that represent the entry pads and facsimiles f Flight Management Systems (FMS). These systems allw the student trial and errr practice n keypad entries f peratins that will be required in the aircraft. ERGONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS Ergnmic cnsideratins shuld be cnsidered when designing the wrkstatin. Cmfrt, reach, lighting, and mtin requirements will all need t be prvided fr in the design f the wrkstatin. Frm the text, the fllwing table shws measurement cnsideratins fr wrkstatin design. Cnsideratin f this table shuld be essential in planning the placement f cmputer equipment fr ptimum effective use by the student r instructr.

6 Table 9-3 Adjustment Ranges fr VDT Wrkstatin Heights, in cm Abve the Flr Height abve flr Item First Strategy Secnd Strategy Third Strategy All adjustable Supprt fr keybard fixed, all ther adjustable Seat fixed, all ther adjustable Seat Pan 37 t t 55 Fixed at 50 Supprt surface fr 53 t t 70 keybard r ther data entry device Center f display 93 t t t 122 Ftrest Nt needed 0 t 18 0 t 13 (Surce: Ergnmics, Hw t Design fr Ease and Efficiency, 2 nd Editin, Krmer, Krmer, and Krmer-Elbert, Cpyright 2001, Prentiss Hall) Chair Design The student will need t have a cmfrtable chair that allws fr adjustment in height as well as prviding fr lumbar supprt. There are plenty f chairs n the market that will prvide fr this adjustment. The raising and lwering f the chair shuld be designed s as t allw the user t raise r lwer the chair with minimum effrt. There is n sense in having a seat prvided t limit injuries and strains when the cure causes injuries in itself. Pneumatic r hydraulic based actuatrs shuld be utilized s that simple lever actin will increase r decreases the height f the seat t meet the needs f the individual. The backrest shuld als have an adjustable lumbar supprt t allw fr in and ut mvement as well as up and dwn. This will prvide endless adjustment psitins fr the wide variety f students that will be using the chair. Althugh there may nt be a perfect ne psitin that fits all, the allwing fr adjustment shuld serve the needs f the many with the exclusin f the limited few. Seats shuld be adjusted s that the upper legs are hrizntal t the flr with the feet situated in a restful psitin prviding fr n stress n the upper leg r lwer leg. The additin f a ftstl t allw fr a certain amunt f elevatin can als be prvided. This allws fr leg mvement and alternate rest psitins where available. Arm rests wuld allw fr the upper arms t have a resting pint when nt in the wrk psitin situated ver the wrkstatin surface. These arms can als be adjustable allwing fr varying length in arm length and resting psitin.

7 Reclining f the seat can be accmplished t meet the needs f the student by having the back, r the seat back assembly n a spring r dampened pneumatic/hydraulic pistn that will prvide fr such mvement. Tensin adjustments shuld be incrprated t prvide fr the differing needs and the differing weights f the students. The chair shuld be n rllers that are then placed n a slid pad that prvides fr ease in rller peratin. Carpet use r flrs with ridges that are situated arund the wrkstatin impedes the smth mvement f the chair and culd cause tipping r strain when mving the chair t and frm the wrk surface. A partial excerpt frm a list published by Crnell University prvides excellent guidelines that can be fllwed fr selecting an ergnmic chair. These guidelines shuld be reviewed and cnsidered when designing r purchasing an apprpriate chair fr the student t use at the wrkstatin This authr will anntate sectins f this guideline as apprpriate. Des the seat pan feel cmfrtable and fit yur shape? When yu sit in the chair the seat pan shuld be at least ne inch wider than yur hips and thighs n either side. The seat pan shuld nt be t lng fr yur legs therwise it will either catch yu behind the knees r it will prevent yu frm leaning fully back against the lumbar supprt. Mst ergnmic chairs have a seat pan with a waterfall frnt that prevents the seat frm catching yu behind the knees. The seat pan shuld als be cntured t allw even weight distributin and it shuld be cmfrtable t sit n. Is the seat chair height adjustable? Fr preference the chair shuld be pneumatically adjustable s that yu can adjust seat pan height while yu are sitting n the chair. Sme chairs have a mechanical height adjustment (spinning) mechanism that is als acceptable. Authr s Nte: Pneumatic adjustment wuld be preferred in a wrk statin designed fr use ur facility. Student s that wn and perate aircraft usually expect the finer things in life. Mechanical cntrls wuld be a little dwnscale fr the facility s purpses. Is the range f height adjustment f the chair sufficient t meet the needs f all users? Yu shuld be able t adjust the height f the seat pan s that the frnt f yur knees is level r slightly belw level and yur feet are firmly n the grund. In mst cases there shuld be n need fr yu

8 t use a ftrest. The mechanism t adjust seat height shuld be easy t reach and perate when yu are seated. Authr s Nte: Ftrest use shuld be prvided as an ptin fr the client. Since the client at this facility varies and it is nt a set individual, as much versatility and flexibility shuld be affrded in the design and cmfrt f the chair. The additin f a ftrest culd be a benefit. Des the chair have a cmfrtable lumbar (lwer back) back rest? Many chairs have cushined lumbar supprts that can be adjusted up and dwn and frwards and backwards t best fit yur shape. If the chair will be used by multiple users then this level f adjustment may be required. If the chair has a fixed height lumbar supprt and it feels cmfrtable when yu sit back against this, and yu will be the primary user f the chair then a fixed lumbar supprt may be acceptable. Des the seat pan still feel cmfrtable after yu've been sitting in it fr minutes? If the seat pan is made frm lw-density fam then cntinuus use can cause it t becme permanently defrmed and then it will nt prvide adequate cushined supprt. Insufficient cushining and inapprpriate cnturing can cause discmfrt, imbalance and hip and back fatigue. Authr s Nte: Seat pan cmfrt is very much an imprtant cnsideratin in the design r selectin f apprpriate chairs fr the students. Sitting fr an eight hur day is nt uncmmn when delivering training t the pilt student. Althugh breaks are prvided every fifty minutes, stress and strain shuld nt be a functin designed int the seating accmmdatins. Des the chair backrest recline and supprt yur back in different psitins? Mvement f the back while yu are sitting helps t maintain a healthy spine. Lk fr chairs that allw yu t easily recline, that prvide yu with gd back supprt in different recline pstures, and that have a back that tracks where yur back is. Lcking the chair backrest in ne psitin generally isn't recmmended r

9 beneficial t users. Des the chair have a 5 pedestal base? If chair mbility is imprtant t help yu t d yur wrk then the chair shuld have at least a 5 pedestal base with casters that glide freely ver the flr surface. Yu may als want t chse a chair that swivels easily. Authr s Nte: Pedestal design is extremely imprtant in the carpeted envirnment at this facility. Mbility and ease f use is paramunt. Stress and strain can be avided if the chair des nt create injury and strain pprtunities. The rller assembly shuld be selected r designed t accmmdate the carpeting in the facility t prvide fr freedm f mvement. D yu need armrests n yur chair? If s, are the armrests brad, cntured, cushined and cmfrtable? While sitting can yu easily adjust the height f the armrests and can yu mve the armrests clser tgether r further apart? Can yu easily mve the arms ut f the way if yu need t d this? Other cnsideratins: D yu need a ftrest? In the vast majrity f situatins yu shuld nt need a ft supprt t be able t sit cmfrtably n yur chair? Hwever, if yu d need a ft supprt then chse a free-standing flr-munted supprt that allws yu t rest yur feet ut in frnt f yu in a cmfrtable manner. Authr s Nte: As mentined in previus sectins the ftrest wuld be a benefit in ur facility. In this situatin, the ftrest culd be designed as a ledge r rest area incrprated int the wrkstatin instead as an integral part f the chair r as a separate piece f furniture. If space is a cncern this design cnsideratin culd be an ptin.. What chair cvering is best? Chairs can be cvered in a variety f uphlstery materials, each f which has benefits and cncerns. Vinyl and vinyl-like cverings are

10 easy t clean and spill resistant, but they dn't breath and if the chair begins t heat up under the thighs uncmfrtable amunts f misture can accumulate. Clth uphlstery is the mst cmmn cvering, but this is less resistant t spills and mre difficult t clean. A clth cvered seat pan can als becme warm and misture laden and clth cvered fam seat pans can be a significant surce f dust mite allergen. When selecting yur chair cvering think abut cleaning and maintenance issues and plan apprpriately. D yu need an adjustable tilt seat pan? In mst situatins this is nt an essential feature. In sme situatins it can be helpful t change the tilt f the seat pan t help t maintain a balanced seated psture. Authr s Nte: Althugh nt a necessary requirement fr the seating f the wrkstatin, there are sme psitive benefits t this type feature. The client s at this facility range in age frm the mid-twenties t the mid-seventies. Prviding fr adjustment f the seat pan in this fashin may make the chair mre cmfrtable fr mre mature pilts. (Surce: Date: 6/30/06) Ergnmic Wrk Statin Design Cmputers and keybards shuld be placed and designed t accmmdate the reach f the client. The desktp culd have an area that allws fr ease in adjustment f the placement f the cmputer and keybard r the cmputer itself culd have the mnitr munted n a special supprt that prvides fr fre/aft, left/right, up/dwn/ and tilt adjustments. Many cmputers n the market d allw fr the tilt adjustment by incrprating a ball/gimbal arrangement at the base that wuld prvide fr tilting the cmputer screen up and dwn. Ergnmic cnsideratins require that the view be straight n r slightly dwnward s that there is n strain n the neck. Distance frm the screen shuld prvide that when adjusted there will be n strain n the eyes. Eyestrain will be further reduced with prper lighting. Lighting will be discussed in later paragraphs.

11 The keybard shuld be designed with adequate wrist supprt s that the wrist des nt becme strained. The apprach f each hand shuld be at an angle that allws fr the natural bending and flexing frm the elbw t the wrist. The fllwing suggestins frm a Crnell University website shuld be cnsidered when putting tgether an ergnmically designed wrkstatin. The ten steps are very thrugh and well develped. Fllwing the ten steps shuld prvide fr a very well designed and ergnmic wrkstatin fr use in any facility. Fr the client s at this, my facility, my review has indicated, that the recmmendatins and suggestins wuld be very beneficial. The ten steps have been paraphrased belw fr space cnsideratin. Review f the cmplete list can be made at the surce indicated at the end f the list f steps. This authr s cmments have been added where apprpriate. Wrk thrugh the fllwing 10 steps t help yu decide n what will be a gd ergnmic design fr yur situatin: 1. Hw will the cmputer be used? Wh will be using the cmputer? - If the cmputer will nly be used by ne persn then the arrangement can be ptimized fr that persn's size and shape, and features such as an adjustable height chair may be unnecessary. If it's ging t be used by several peple, yu will need t create an arrangement that mst clsely satisfies the needs f the extremes, that is the smallest and tallest, thinnest and bradest persns, as well as thse in between these extremes. Authr s Nte: Fr ur facility, the ability t have a wide range f flexibility in wrkstatin design t accmmdate the widest range in size and shape is paramunt. Designing fr the individual wuld nt be effective r efficient. 2. Hw lng will peple be using the cmputer? If it's a few minutes a day then ergnmic issues may nt be a high pririty. If it's mre than 1 hur per day it is advisable that yu create an ergnmic arrangement. If it's mre than 4 hurs then yu shuld immediately implement an ergnmic arrangement. 3. What kind f cmputer will be used? Desktps - mst ergnmic guidelines fr cmputer wrkstatin arrangements assume that yu will be using a desktp system where the

12 cmputer screen is separate frm the keybard. 4. What furniture will yu use? Make sure that the cmputer (mnitr, CPU system unit, keybard, muse) are placed n a stable wrking surface (nthing that wbbles) with adequate rm fr prper arrangement. If this wrk surface is ging t be used fr writing n paper as well as cmputer use a flat surface that is between 28"-30" abve the flr (suitable fr mst adults). Yu shuld cnsider attaching a keybard/muse tray system t yur wrk surface. Chse a system that is height adjustable, that allws yu t tilt the keybard dwn away frm yu slightly fr better wrist psture (negative tilt), and that allws yu t use the muse with yur upper arms relaxed and as clse t the bdy as pssible and with yur wrist in a cmfrtable and neutral psitin. 5. What chair will be used? Chse a cmfrtable chair fr the user t sit in. If nly ne persn is using this the chair can even be at a fixed height prviding that it is cmfrtable t sit n and has a gd backrest that prvides lumbar supprt. If mre than ne persn will be using the cmputer, cnsider buying and a chair with several ergnmic features. Studies shw that the best seated psture is a reclined psture f degrees NOT the upright 90 degree psture that is ften prtrayed. In the recmmended psture the chair starts t wrk fr the bdy and there are significant decreases in pstural muscle activity and in intervetebral disc pressure in the lumbar spine. Erect sitting is NOT relaxed, sustainable sitting, reclined sitting is. Authr s Nte: Chair cnsideratins are very well utlined in this step. These cnsideratins shuld be incrprated int the suggestins and recmmendatins frm previus sectins in rder t design an effective and ergnmic seat What can yu see? Make sure that any paper dcuments that yu are reading are placed as clse t the cmputer mnitr as pssible and that these are at a similar angle - use a dcument hlder where pssible. The cmputer mnitr shuld be placed:

13 directly in frnt f yu and facing yu, nt angled t the left r right. This helps t eliminate t much neck twisting. Als, whatever the user is wrking with, encurage him/her t use the screen scrll bars t ensure that what is being viewed mst is in the center f the mnitr rather than at the tp r bttm f the screen. center the mnitr n the user s that the bdy and/r neck isn't twisted when lking at the screen. Hwever, if yu are wrking with a large mnitr and spend mst f yur time wrking with sftware like MSWrd, which defaults t creating left aligned new pages, and yu dn't want t have t drag these t mre central lcatins, try aligning yurself t a pint abut 1/3rd f the distance acrss the mnitr frm the left side. put the mnitr at a cmfrtable height that desn't make the user tilt their head up t see it r bend their neck dwn t see it. When yu are seated cmfrtably, a user's eyes shuld be in line with a pint n the screen abut 2-3" belw the tp f the mnitr casing (nt the screen). Sit back in yur chair at an angle f arund degrees (i.e. slight recline) and hld yur right arm ut hrizntally, yur middle finger shuld almst tuch the center f the screen. Frm that starting psitin yu can then make minr changes t screen height and angle t suit. Research shws the center f the mnitr shuld be abut degrees belw hrizntal fr ptimal viewing, and this is where it will be if yu fllw the simple arm extensin/finger pinting tip. Yu actually see mre visual field belw the hrizn than abve this (lk dwn a crridr and yu'll see mre f the flr than the ceiling), s at this psitin the user shuld cmfrtably be able t see mre f the screen. If the mnitr is t lw, yu will crane their neck frwards, if it's t high yu'll tilt their head backwards and end up with neck/shulder pain. bifcals and prgressive lens - even if yu wear bifcals r prgressive lens, if yu sit back in yur chair in a reclined psture (with yu back at arund 110 degrees) that is recmmended fr gd lw back health, rather than sitting erect at 90 degrees, and if yu slightly tilt the mnitr backwards and place this at a cmfrtable height yu shuld be able t see the screen withut tilting yur head back r craning yur neck frwards. Pstural prblems with bifcals can ccur if yu sits erect r even hunched frwards. The prblem with lw mnitrs is that they cause neck flexin and suffer mre frm glare. Recent studies have shwn that the best psitin fr a cmputer mnitr is fr the center f the screen t be at arund 17.5 degrees belw eye level. Try t

14 align yur eyes with the tp f the viewing area f the screen, and this shuld put the center abut right gemetrically. viewing distance - the mnitr shuld be at a cmfrtable hrizntal distance fr viewing, which usually is arund an arms length (sit back in yur chair and raise yur arm and yur fingers shuld tuch the screen). At this distance yu shuld be able t see the viewing area f the mnitr withut making head mvements. If text lks t small then either use a larger fnt r magnify the screen image in the sftware rather than sitting clser t the mnitr. screen quality - use a gd quality cmputer screen. Make sure that the text characters n yur screen lk sharp, and that they are a cmfrtable size (yu can change the screen reslutin t find a cmfrtable and clear character size). If yu can see the screen flickering ut f the crner f yur eye yu shuld try increasing the refresh rate f yur mnitr (with a PC yu can change mnitr reslutin and refresh rates using the Mnitr cntrl panel in yur Settings flder, with a Mac yu can use the Mnitr cntrl panel). Yu can als cnsider using a gd quality glass anti-glare filter r an LCD display (like a laptp screen). eye checkup - there are natural changes in visin that ccur in mst peple during their early 40's. It's a gd idea t peridically have yur eyes checked by a qualified prfessinal. If any screen adjustments feel uncmfrtable then change them until the arrangement feels mre cmfrtable r seek further prfessinal help. Use a dcument hlder that can be cmfrtably seem: use an in-line dcument hlder that sits between the keybard/keybard tray and screen and is aligned with yur bdy midline s that all yu have t d is lk dwn t see the dcuments and raise yur eyes t see the screen. use a screen-munted dcument hlder and psitin this t the side f yur screen that is yur dminant eye use a freestanding dcument hlder and psitin this next t the side f the screen and slightly angle it s that it fllws a curve frm the side f the screen. Authr s Nte: This step is very imprtant fr the clients f ur facility. Age varies greatly frm the yung t the ld. Eye and visin cncerns shuld be cnsidered in the design and placement f the cmputer system n the wrkstatin. Althugh the design f the

15 7. Psture, psture psture! aircraft simulatr cannt be altered t be ergnmic, but must mimic the actual aircraft, the wrkstatin shuld take int accunt the abve design cnsideratins t minimize strain and pssible injury. Gd psture is the basis f gd wrkstatin ergnmics. Gd psture is the best way t avid a cmputer-related injury. T ensure gd user psture: Watch the user's psture! Make sure that the user can reach the keybard keys with their wrists as flat as pssible (nt bent up r dwn) and straight (nt bent left r right). Make sure that the user's elbw angle (the angle between the inner surface f the upper arm and the frearm) is at r greater than 90 degrees t avid nerve cmpressin at the elbw. Make sure that the upper arm and elbw are as clse t the bdy and as relaxed as pssible fr muse use - avid verreaching. Als make sure that the wrist is as straight as pssible when the muse is being used. Make sure the user sits back in the chair and has gd back supprt. Als check that the feet can be placed flat n the flr r n a ftrest. Make sure the head and neck are as straight as pssible. Make sure the psture feels relaxed fr the user. Authr s Nte: Psture must be a very strng cnsideratin. Climbing in and ver seats and center cnsles t get int the cckpit is ne thing, having t d the same thing t access and utilize the student wrkstatin shuld nt be the same challenge. Psture shuld be a primary factr f wrkstatin design t allw fr ease, cmfrt, and minimum strain during use. 8. Keep it clse! Make sure that thse things the user uses mst frequently are placed clsest t the user s that they can be cnveniently and cmfrtably reached.

16 Make sure that the user is centered n the alphanumeric keybard. Mst mdern keybards are asymmetrical in design (the alphanumeric keybard is t the left and a numeric keypad t the right). If the uter edges f the keybard are used as landmarks fr centering the keybard and mnitr, the users hands will be deviated because the alphanumeric keys will be t the left f the user's midline. Mve the keybard s that the center f the alphanumeric keys (the B key, is centered n the mid-line f the user). Make sure that the phne is als clse t yu if yu frequently use it. 9. A gd wrkstatin ergnmic arrangement will allw any cmputer user t wrk in a neutral, relaxed, ideal typing psture that will minimize the risk f develping any injury. An ideal keybard arrangement is t place this n a height adjustable negative-tilt tray. An ideal muse arrangement is fr this t be n a flat surface that's 1-2" abve the keybard and mveable ver the numeric keypad. If yu want a surface at the level f the keybard base then make sure that this can als be angled dwnwards slightly t help t keep yur hands in wrist neutral while yu are musing, and keep yur elbw is as clse t the bdy as pssible while yu wrk. Check ut the 10 tips fr using a cmputer muse. Authr s Nte: The perfect wrkstatin is the gal and target. Planning n perfectin is an ideal, settling n what wrks, can be affrded, and will minimize the strain n the student is the ptimum utcme. Utilizing the cnsideratins in this sectin wuld be beneficial in wrkstatin design. 10. Where will the cmputer be used? Think abut the fllwing envirnmental cnditins where the cmputer will be used: Lighting - make sure that the lighting isn't t bright. Yu shuldn't see any bright light glare n the cmputer screen. If yu d, mve the screen, lwer the light level, use a gd quality, glass anti-glare screen. Als make sure that the cmputer mnitr screen isn't backed t a bright windw r facing a bright windw s that there's the screen lks washed ut (use a shade r drapes t cntrl windw brightness).

17 Ventilatin - make sure that yu use yur cmputer smewhere that has adequate fresh-air ventilatin and that has adequate heating r cling s that yu feel cmfrtable when yu're wrking. Nise - nise can cause stress and that tenses yur muscles which can increase injury risks. Try t chse a quiet place fr yur wrkstatin, and use lw vlume music, preferably light classical, t mask the hum f any fans r ther sund surces. There are many cmputer-related "ergnmic" prducts, the mst cmmn nes being: "ergnmic" keybards - "ergnmic" mice Wrist rests Supprt braces/glves Frearm supprts/resting frearms n chair arms Sit-stand Wrkstatins (Surce: Date: 6/30/06) EXPECTED RESULTS Wrkstatins designed t meet the criteria discussed abve shuld imprve cmfrt and minimize strain n the clients. Client perfrmance will imprve and mre psitive feedback return business will be evident t the cmpany. Ergnmic cnsideratin, althugh an expense, is a very valuable imprvement t the facility. Reducing fatigue and prviding a safe envirnment fr the student t bth study and learn is paramunt t the successful cmpletin f the curses that are taught at this facility. Sme areas that shuld ntice imprvement are the fllwing. Back strain and bdy fatigue shuld be reduced by utilizing the abve HFE cnsideratins when designing r purchasing chairs and the wrkstatins. Lumbar supprt and lcatin, seat pan size and lcatin, and the mbility f the chair shuld prvide beneficial cmfrt and minimize strain r injury t the client. The client will be able t pay mre attentin t his/her studies and less time t shuffling and repsitining trying t find a cmfrtable psitin. Eyestrain will be minimized by placing the mnitr and keybard at the crrect height and distance fr the client s that strain is avided. Cupled with imprved lighting, strain shuld minimized. Ergnmic cnsideratins are very imprtant t the effectiveness f the cmputer based learning prgrams.

18 Crrectly psitining mnitrs and keybards (mnitrs and keybards utilizing ergnmic features) shuld minimize wrist and eye strain. CONCLUSION Ergnmics is imprtant in designing wrkspaces fr the emplyee r the hme ffice. Stresses and strains are caused by imprper seating, r wrk surfaces that are t high, lw r require t much stretching. Cmputers, keybards, and ther desk tls and accessries shuld be develped t minimize the nset f veruse disrders and ther physilgical disrders. Visual accmmdatins fr lng hurs f wrk can be accmplished by the selectin f the prper lighting and placing f cmputer viewing screens at the crrect height and distance frm the eye. Eye height, seat pan adjustment, lumbar supprt, ftrests and desk height will all have t be taken int accunt. The infrmatin prvided in this paper cannt venture t give a ne-size fits all slutin. What it can d is pint ut the cmplexity in the nature f the prblem and the depth f the effrt that will need t be expended t prvide the near perfect wrking envirnment fr the student. Taking int cnsideratin the infrmatin prvided in this paper, the best wrkstatin design fr the aviatin training facility shuld be tailred t meet the needs f a range f students. These students will cme in differing heights, girths, genders, and span f mtin. There is n perfect ne wrkstatin that fits all persns perfectly. The best that can be dne is t design t meet the majrity and accmmdate fr the minrity. A select number f wrkstatins culd be designed t accmmdate the minrity and placed in cnvenient lcatins. In this way, any student will be able t find a wrkstatin that will fit them cmfrtably and will reduce strain and stress n the bdy. The practice f just slapping a chair, a table, and a cmputer screen tgether and calling it a student wrkstatin shuld be avided at all cst.