Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
10:45
A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Corporate ergonomics programme at Ford Motor Company
1Ford Motor Company, Health Protection Services, WHQ 532-B6, PO Box 1899, Dearborn, MI 48120-1899, USA. bjoseph@ford.com
Applied Ergonomics
|January 14, 2003
Summary
Ford Motor Company implemented an ergonomics process using joint teams to reduce workplace injuries and optimize human resources in manufacturing. This initiative links internal units for effective health and safety management and continuous process improvement.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Ergonomic principles are crucial for comprehensive health and safety in automobile manufacturing.
- Musculoskeletal diseases are a significant concern in plant floor operations.
- Ford Motor Company has established an ergonomics process to address these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize Ford Motor Company's efforts in implementing and maintaining its ergonomics program.
- To outline key strategies for effectively utilizing the ergonomics process through internal organizational links.
- To differentiate between proactive and reactive ergonomic efforts and highlight their role in process improvement.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing joint labor and management teams to identify and evaluate jobs.
- Developing and implementing ergonomic solutions.
- Establishing links with internal organizational units for process integration.
Main Results:
- The ergonomics program aims to manage injury and illness, particularly musculoskeletal diseases.
- Effective implementation requires strong connections with internal organizational units.
- Information generated from ergonomic initiatives is vital for ongoing process improvement.
Conclusions:
- Ford's ergonomics process, involving joint teams, is integral to health, safety, and efficient human resource management.
- Proactive ergonomic strategies, supported by data, are essential for sustainable process improvement.
- Successful ergonomics programs require collaboration and strategic integration within the organization.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Design of Transmission Shafts
The design of a transmission shaft is governed by two primary specifications: the power it transmits and its rotational speed. These parameters guide the selection of the shaft's material and cross-sectional dimensions, ensuring that the material's maximum shearing stress remains within the elastic limit while transmitting the desired power at the given speed. The system's power is intrinsically linked to the applied torque. The torque applied to the shaft can be calculated by reconfiguring the...
01:22Mechanical Systems
Mechanical systems are analogous to to electrical networks where springs and masses play similar roles to inductors and capacitors, respectively. A viscous damper in mechanical systems functions similarly to a resistor in electrical networks, dissipating energy. The forces acting on a mass in such systems include an applied force in the direction of motion, counteracted by forces from the spring, a viscous damper, and the mass's acceleration. This interplay of forces is mathematically described...
01:19Electro-mechanical Systems
Electromechanical systems are intricate configurations that effectively combine electrical and mechanical elements to achieve a desired outcome. Central to many of these systems is the DC motor, a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion, enabling various applications ranging from simple fans to complex robotic mechanisms.
A key component of the DC motor is the armature, a rotating circuit positioned within a magnetic field. As an electric current passes through the...
A key component of the DC motor is the armature, a rotating circuit positioned within a magnetic field. As an electric current passes through the...
01:22Controller Configurations
Controller configurations are crucial in a car's cruise control system because they manage speed over time to maintain a consistent pace regardless of road conditions, thereby meeting design goals. In traditional control systems, fixed-configuration design involves predetermined controller placement. System performance modifications are known as compensation.
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller aligns...
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller aligns...
01:26PD Controller: Design
In automotive engineering, car suspension systems often employ Proportional Derivative (PD) controllers to enhance performance. PD controllers are utilized to adjust the damping force in response to road conditions. A controller, acting as an amplifier with a constant gain, demonstrates proportional control, with output directly mirroring input.
Designing a continuous-data controller requires selecting and linking components like adders and integrators, which are fundamental in Proportional,...
Designing a continuous-data controller requires selecting and linking components like adders and integrators, which are fundamental in Proportional,...
01:26Steel Manufacturing
Steel manufacturing is a multi-stage process that begins by smelting iron ore into cast iron in a blast furnace. This initial stage involves layering iron ore with coke, a type of fuel, and crushed limestone within the furnace. The coke is ignited with a high volume of air, leading to the creation of carbon monoxide, which acts to reduce the iron ore to pure iron.
During this smelting process, limestone plays a crucial role by forming slag. Slag captures impurities within the molten iron, such...
During this smelting process, limestone plays a crucial role by forming slag. Slag captures impurities within the molten iron, such...