Examples of questions from the textbook Quiz 1

(Place in the correct order - presentation shall be made in randomized order) A heuristics evaluation should be conducted in the following procedural order: a. select heuristics to evaluate with b. evaluate the design based on the heuristics 'c. assemble deviations and identify problems d. assess (if possible) the severity of the problems and deficiencies e. report the results

(1st - a; 2nd - b; 3rd - c; 4th - d; 5th - e)

(Match a number to sentence - presentation should be made in randomized order) What numerical level should be given to the various degrees of severity of problems and deficiencies assessed? a. Not an ergonomic problem b. Inconvenience problem; does not need to be fixed unless extra time is available c. Minor ergonomic problem; fixing should be given lower priority d. Major ergonomic problem; important to fix, high priority e. Very serious ergonomic problem; need to be fixed, high risk of injury

(a - 0, b - 1, c - 2, d - 3, e - 4)

Regarding the limitations of posture-based ergonomics evaluation methods (select all that apply): a. typically consider just one "frozen" posture at a time, b. give limited consideration to force- and time-related loading aspects (like how weights are handled, variation and frequency) c. many methods have criteria levels that are tailored to a particular type of work, which may not be universally suitable and therefore results may be met with questioning d. some methods' acceptability criteria may be based on a specific population e. most methods are only appropriate for seated, hand/arm/upper body-intensive work

(a - T, b- T, c-T, d-T, e-F)

Posture-based ergonomics evaluation methods: a. enable studying work tasks from a physical ergonomics perspective b. use point-based systems to rank identified areas of concern c. support ranking the loads experienced by the body on a pre-determined scale of risk severity d. always consider time exposure and accumulating loads e. are used to monitor the impacts of design changes, that said, different methods should be used before and after a design change

(a - T; b - T; c- T; d - F; e - F)

Having a clear idea of what goes on in a workplace where workers perform tasks, enables engineers to: a. Determine where the improvement potentials are, using knowledge of what is beneficial or harmful to human work abilities. b. Decide what to target in improvement work, using an ergonomics evaluation method that simplifies and quantifies the risk levels to make comparisons easier. c. Prioritize which problems to target first by identifying the greatest risks for physical injury, ranking them in order of severity and indicating which body segments are at risk. d. Communicate their decision based on a structured assessment to other stakeholders and justify particular interventions that target physical ergonomics root causes. e. Analyze the risks and improvement potentials based solely on their own knowledge of what is beneficial or harmful to human work abilities.

(a- T; b- T; c- T; d- T; e- F)

Heuristics to consider when analyzing a workstation are (select all that apply): a. No bending of the neck forwards b. Lifting should be carried out close to the body c. Adaptation to anthropometric variation (different body sizes) should be possible d. Bending and twisting of the spine should be avoided e. For push buttons, a height between shoulder and eye level is recommended

(a-F, b-T, c-T, d-T, e-F)

Regarding the limitations of heuristic evaluations (select all that apply): a. these are strongly dependent on the ergonomics knowledge and expertise of the analyst to be of any value b. it is essential that the "rules of thumb" by which the work system is judged stem from considerable experience and training in ergonomics and human factors c. these are usually unsystematicd. heuristic evaluations are typically limited in scope e. heuristic evaluations are usually objective

(a-T, b-T, c-T, d-T, e-F)

When performing a study on humans, what are some basic ethical requirements on the work of an engineer or researcher? a. ensuring that the study or analysis includes informed consent b. treating human data confidentially c. if the study is carried out within the context of an organization, the engineer/researcher should inform themselves of and follow ethical review requirements for that organization d. clearly communicating the detailed theoretical underpinnings of the human study to all the participants e. promising benefits to the people approached in exchange for their biased participation in the study, leaning towards a particular opinion

(a-T; b - T; c - T; d - F; e-F)

There are several different variants of KIM (Key Indicator Method), including for: a. analyzing work tasks and activities involving manual handling operations (MHO) b. pulling and pushing (PP) c. lifting, holding and carrying (LHC) d. working in cramped spaces or on slippery floors (CSF) e. using a wheelbarrow or shovel (WS)

(a-T; b-T; c-T; d- F; e- F)

Informed consent in the context of an engineering or research study means that: a. participants should be informed about the purpose of the study, b. participants should be informed about what is expected of their involvement c. participants should be informed about how any collected data will be handled afterwards d. participants should be informed about the religious views held by the engineers or researchers e. participants should be informed about any tax returns received by the engineers or researchers in previous fiscal years

(a-T; b-T; c-T; d-F; e-F)

The NIOSH lifting equation should not be used (select all that apply): a. when lifting with one hand b. when lifting work occurs for longer than an 8-hour shift c. when kneeling or sitting d. in unfavorable environmental conditions, such as below 19°C, over 26°C or high humidity e. when lifting stable objects

(a-T; b-T; c-T; d-T; e - F)

Select all those statements that apply as justifications for the need for a structured way for engineers to observe what is happening in workplaces: a. Especially when observing human behavior, it is helpful to have methods that can show the difference between intended work procedures, and how things are really done. b. A good task breakdown clarifies two things: what we want to do and what we areactually doing. c. When we can break down a job into tasks, we are able to see (and describe) very clearly when things are going as they should, and where specific steps involve actions that we canimprove. d. When there are conflicting optimization goals in the same system, lack of a structured way to identify them, creates a risk for technical design improvements that actually end up making other aspects worse. e. A structured way to observe enables creating structured data that engineers can then only process mathematically.

(a-T; b-T; c-T; d-T; e-F)

(T/F) A heuristic evaluation does not require substantial ergonomics expertise on the part of the analyst to correctly and comprehensively identify risks.

False

(T/F) Established ergonomics evaluation methods can aid workplace designers in identifying and ranking ergonomic risks, so that the least hazardous risks are addressed as a first priority.

False

(T/F) Methods for data collection and analysis that actively involve workplace stakeholders should always take precedence over theoretically based methods.

False

(T/F) REBA is more suited to hand-arm intensive work, having been developed to study sitting assembly work in textile confectionery industry, while RULA covers whole-body intensive work, as it was developed in a hospital/healthcare context.

False

(T/F) The NIOSH lifting equation load constant of 23 kg is considered safe (under ideal lifting conditions) for 99% of a female population, it is considered safe for only 75% of a male population.

False

(T/F) The interviewee's personal perception, opinion and experience are brought into focus with objective data.

False

(T/F) Theoretically based methods for data collection and analysis should always take precedence over methods that actively involve workplace stakeholders.

False

(T/F)A task analysis done at the start of a workplace improvement project, enables understanding the purpose and goals of what is done in that workplace, but it is useless towards facilitating follow-up of whether interventions addressed the right target problems.

False

(T/F)An experiment usually allows unexpected events to unfold, so as to be inclusive of as many aspects as possible (e.g. organizational and demands).

False

(T/F)An observation involves the implementation of a change to normal operations, for the purpose of evaluating the effects of that specific implementation.

False

(T/F)In data collection, "qualitative" is always synonymous with "subjective" and "quantitative" is always synonymous with "objective".

False

It is possible to verify subjective data in an impersonal manner. (T/F)

False

Both the system performance improver and the work environment/safety specialist need knowledge of _________________(a) in order to communicate effectively with other stakeholders about ________________(b) that are present in the workplace. The eventual translation of risk into ____________________(c) (often red/yellow/green classifications) is helpful in communications with management and other stakeholders tracking ________________(d), but being able to arrive at these classifications requires solid knowledge of how to appropriately choose a method that captures the appropriate risk perspective. These roles may also find themselves communicating with _______________________(e) with a more individual-risk focused perspective. The engineer with knowledge of these methods is given a platform for discussing how risk elements associated with particular _________________(f) can be targeted.

List 1. ergonomics evaluation methods 2. physical loading risks 3. "severity levels" 4. KPIs - Key Process Indicators 5. medical or health and safety professionals 6. body segment loading (a-1; b-2; c-3: d-4; e-5; f-6)

The ___________(a) needs to collect data in a way that allows comparisons of before and after states. Also, for this role in particular, exact knowledge of how tasks are carried out - and meant to be carried out - is essential information in order to target ___________(b) effectively. The ____________________(c) may be well served by a good grasp of task analysis, in order to make the process of data collection efficient. Many ergonomics evaluation methods require _____________(d) and surveying of qualitative as well as quantitative data. From a __________(e) perspective, knowing ahead of time what type of data is important to make a _____________(f) (using appropriate equipment) helps this role avoid "over collecting" data and spending time analyzing unnecessarily.

List: 1 - system performance improver 2 - improvement actions 3 - work environment/safety specialist 4 - specific measurements 5 - time and effort 6 - workplace assessment (a -1; b - 2; c - 3: d - 4; e - 5; f - 6)

(T/F) A number of methods are available for data collection and analysis, some of which are theoretically based while others actively involve workplace stakeholders.

True

(T/F) A work task can be broken down into elements to aid in analysis and identify risk areas, using a task analysis method.

True

(T/F) Ergonomics evaluation methods such as KIM (Key Indicator Method), RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively) and EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Worksheet) cover a wide range of aspects encompassing the impact of the work environment, equipment, protective gear, etc. on the ability to perform work.

True

(T/F) Heuristic evaluations demand the participation of an expert to be accepted as reliable because of the high degree of theoretical knowledge that is required on the part of the analyst, in order to conduct a meaningful and valuable study.

True

(T/F) In an experiment it is desirable to have as few external influencing factors as possible, so it may be that the experimenters "isolate" the object or process being studied to control the scope of influencing factors.

True

(T/F) Liberty Mutual manual materials handling tables should be selected for the population and task at hand, so that the resulting maximum criteria value provides aid in modifying or redesigning the work task, to reduce or eliminate injury risk.

True

(T/F) Most ergonomics evaluation methods rely on anatomical limits and principles to set levels of risk.

True

(T/F) Performing a combination of workplace observation, interviews and task analysis may be considered time-consuming, buy it greatly facilitates discussions of where to direct intervention efforts and new design solutions, bringing them down to an appropriate level of precision.

True

(T/F) RAMP (Risk Assessment and Management tool for manual handling Proactively) an observation-based method, includes perceived operator discomfort; it's use hence requires at least one experienced operator to observe and talk to when analyzing the task.

True

(T/F) Separation of data collection (e.g. using recording devices) from data analysis, is a recommended practice, so that not all work needs to be done on-site where there is a risk of disrupting on-going work.

True

(T/F) Several different ergonomics evaluation methods are available that can be used to simplify and standardize the assessment of physical loading in workplaces.

True

(T/F) Subjective data put the interviewee's personal perception, opinion and experience into focus.

True

(T/F) The Job Strain Index ergonomics evaluation method includes temporal aspects such as fatigue, repetitiveness and exposure time.

True

(T/F) The Job Strain Index is used to identify injury risks during work tasks, but it is specifically focused on the upper extremities (wrist and hands) and is particularly beneficial when analyzing repetitive jobs.

True

(T/F) The more the body deviates from the neutral standing position, the worse the working posture is, thus resulting in a higher risk score in posture-based ergonomics evaluation methods.

True

(T/F)Alongside an observation and interview, a task analysis can help to form a basis for structured discussions about where and during what task risks are occurring.

True

A structured approach to understanding a workplace provides a dependable foundation for identifying and addressing improvement potentials. (T/F)

True

Objective data can be verified in an impersonal manner.

True

T/F) An observation is non-invasive and aims to influence work operations as little as possible, to gain an understanding of how the work normally progresses and what aspects influence the work in the as-is situation.

True

T/F) Using a combination of workplace observation, interviews and task analysis facilitates follow-up by pinpointing whether interventions and investments are appropriately targeted in scope to solve identified problems.

True

T/F) Using a combination of workplace observation, interviews and task analysis helps to give the workplace improver (and many other stakeholder roles) a good overview of what is meant to be done in a workplace, and at which points in the task-to-operations sequences there are ergonomic risks.

True

(T/F) The results of a heuristic evaluation may be shown on a Hierarchical Task Analysis diagram, providing a fast, resource-efficient method that not only is simple to carry out but also has high value, broad scope and embodies a systematic evaluation approach.

false