The Rules of Work
A Practical Engineering Guide to Ergonomics, Second Edition
Preview
Book Description
The experience of the past decade since the publication of the first edition of The Rules of Work: A Practical Engineering Guide to Ergonomics proves just how central ergonomics is for effective production. Revised and updated to reflect new insights from workplace developments, the second edition continues the tradition of providing essential tools for implementing good ergonomics in a way that simultaneously improves both productivity and safety.
What’s New in the Second Edition:
- Updated examples and additional rules of thumb
- "How to" pages cover actions such as how to design a workstation
- Coverage of RULA, Strain Index, and TAPDA
In short, the plan of the book is that Part I provides help on how to think and Part II help on how to measure. The non-quantitative materials come first, since creativity in the application of the principles and rules provides greater value.
Based on 35 years of practical problem-solving in over 1,500 workplaces, the book provides a down-to-earth and practical guide for solving ergonomics problems. It provides a framework for evaluating tasks using low-tech, non-quantitative methods, along with an overview of the standard measuring systems for those occasions when numbers are needed.
Table of Contents
The Rules
Introduction—Overview of the Field
Posture
Force
Reach
Heights
Motions
Fatigue
Pressure Points
Clearance
Movement and Change
Environment
Applications
Cognitive Ergonomics
Work Organization
Measurements and Guidelines
Introduction—Why Measure?
Anthropometry
Exertion and Biomechanics
Posture
Motions
Miscellaneous
NIOSH Lifting Guide
Pushing, Pulling, and Carrying Guides
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
Strain Index
Time and Physical Demands Analysis (TAPDA)
Employee Discomfort Surveys
Studies
Problem-Solving Process
References
Index
Reviews
"The book, like its predecessor, provides a very well illustrated and comprehensive set of manual work conditions that are amenable to ergonomics intervention methods. The "rules", principles and processes to achieve positive outcomes are clearly presented. This book should be on every practicing ergonomists book shelf."
—Don Chaffin, PhD, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA"The book’s strengths lie in the fact that it tells the reader up front that Ergonomics is not a costly intervention. It can provide inexpensive solutions that lead to significant improvements in the working environment. … plain speaking, practical, sensible and usable and the solutions have grown from the author’s real-life experiences in the working world."
—Dr. Céline McKeown, Link Ergonomics, Nottingham, England, UK
"Dan MacLeod elevates ergonomics to its rightful place as a necessary component in an effective production system. His straightforward and engaging writing style stimulates creative 'common sense' solutions, often at low cost. This book is a must read for anyone involved in process improvement, from the CEO to the working team members -- and especially the process engineers."
—Peter Budnick, Ph.D., President, Ergoweb Inc.
"This is a good introduction to the ergonomics of production environments with good examples of how to apply ergonomics in practice."
— RS Bridger, Author of Introduction to Ergonomics, Third Edition