Ergonomics

In early times man needed to use only simple tools to scratch out a living from the earth. With the coming of the industrial age revolution the complexity and number of tools that man must use in the work place has increased astronomically"  (Talty, 1988)

My understanding of ergonomics is it is about the individual their activity and the environment, and how they can interact with one another. This quote above outlines how ergonomics are ever changing, our enviroment is ever changing and so we must adapt to the way we interact with it

As i mentioned in a earlier blog the Rugby world cup is a faviourte in our house, however with seven people and only 5 seats it is important to get in early. The activity is far more enjoyable when the enviroment around you is optimal. So the game started at 9 which ment i had to cement my place on the lazy boy right oppisite the tv around 7. This is a big commitment which intails very quick trips to the toilet and being well prepared with food and fluid to last the evening. The lazy boy is the best because it has the best view of the TV (avoiding stiff a stiff neck), it reclines (somewhat, its very old and ragady) the leg rest pulls out and overall its just you on the chair, no one elses legs creeping into your space or trying to lean on you. So now that I had my chair reserved it was time to take some other envirmental considerations into account such as the room temperature, our house is freezing ever since we turned offf time heat pump after a rather large power bill. So i have on hand my large fluffy blanket which i can wrap around me. Another thing to consider is that there is no outside distractions, this wasnt so much of a problem while watching the rugby but at times ill be trying to watch tv and other flatmates decide to do the dishes or something else in the kitchen, the noise produced by this is less than ideal when watching something like Gray's Anatomy!. Now that my Physical enviroment is all set it is time to think about the social enviroment. Given that I live with 7 people I have little control over the social enviroment. There is always going to be someone talking through your faviourte show, or in the case of the Rugby someone chearing for the oppisition, these things are unavoidable so I learn to embrace them. It doesnt matter who;s around but the most important thing is that they can join in on a joke and banter.....but in preferably in the ad break!

J, T. Talty (1988) Industrial hygine egineering. Noyes Data Corperation: New Jersey 

 This Quote to me clearly described the interaction between person activity and environment. How when one changes so must the others to so they can all work together in harmony. This was my understanding of ergonomics.