Ergonomics
Ergonomics study the designing or arranging of the workplace, systems, and products so that they can best fit the users. In this case, the year is any stakeholder related to the workplace be it the employer or employee. Proper arrangement of workplace makes it easy for the employees to locate important equipment or rooms required during the work. Some workplaces are usually arranged in a way that it is hard for the employees or other stakeholders to locate a room or an opening when required. Several examples have been presented which are just perfect examples of how organizations can be poorly arranged.
Example 75 is an image of male and female toilets, but the symbols used to differentiate the two are not clear. The symbols are placed next to door vents which block the lower part of the symbol. There are no additional signs that can prove which of the two is gents toilet or ladies toilet. This confirms poor arrangement or unclear symbols hence a person trying to visit the washroom will be confused.
Example 64 portrays how busses use numbers so that passengers can identify which bus is next on line. The colors used to indicate the number should be clear so that the passengers can have an easy time in the identification of the busses. However, the combination of colors used in this case happens to be the worst and cannot be easily identified from a distance. Selection of such colors should be accurate so that the passengers can know which color to look for.
Example 69 illustrates how some organizations in Australia use symbols instead of the term “Emergency’ to locate the emergency door. It is known that in case of an emergency, people should not run but the symbol above is of a person in a running state. The symbol is contradictory to what is expected during an emergency, therefore, such symbols should not be used as they confuse workers when placed in the workplace.
Example 58 shows a road with three different signs which are likely to confuse any driver. Indicating a road is one way should be accompanied by an arrow to show which direction the cars should move towards. The symbols on this road show the direction the cars should move towards but still prohibit entry which is wrong according to driving rules.
Example 57 shows a computer where all the controls are in the same color. This gives the user a hard time to differentiate which control to press. In the workplace, this should not occur, and computers should have controls with a different color for easy working. The controls are the most important things in a computer.
Example 52 was meant to prevent children from operating lift but the symbol used is not indicated. By canceling a short person from lifting hands does not give the tall person the power to operate the lift buttons. The symbols should be indicated clearly as it is done in the right-hand sign.
Example 44 indicates regions where people should escape in case of danger while in that building. The problem is how the symbols are put regarding direction and action. They should be indicated in a way a person can easily identify them and should be well located for efficient use.
Example 27 shows the direction one should follow to get to the assembly point. The left side is clear on which route to take but the right-side arrow is confusing. It should be one-directional for easy tracing even by new workers.
Example 27 indicates how a speedometer should read when one is in low speed. Keeping it at zero reduce distractions allowing the driver to move stably and smoothly. This should be the case in all circumstances when the car is at a slowing speed.
Example 11 has used both symbols and words to direct people. The problem presented is where the two are not communicating the same as the symbol is contrary to the words. Such cases confuse people, and it is hard to understand which side to follow.