Industrial workstation design: a systematic ergonomics approach

For the design of an industrial workstation, ergonomics guidelines are presented in a systematic manner. The guidelines provide a conceptual basis for a good workstation design. In a real world design situation, the implementation of the recommendations or guidelines needs the matching of the population anthropometry with the various components of the workstation. Adequate posture, work height, normal and maximum working areas, lateral clearance and visual requirement are determined for the intended user population. The procedure for determining the workstation dimensions and layout has been explained. The importance of building a mock-up of the designed workstation and its evaluation with representative subjects is emphasized. A case problem (supermarket checkstand workstation) is discussed to illustrate the workstation design procedure.