Advances in Ergonomics In Design, Usability & Special Populations: Part III

AHFE International

Accelerating Open Access Science in Human Factors Engineering and Human-Centered Computing

Advances in Ergonomics In Design, Usability & Special Populations: Part III

book-cover

Editors: Francisco Rebelo, Marcelo Soares

Topics: Usability & User Experience

Publication Date: 2022

ISBN: 978-1-4951-2108-1

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001287

Articles

Development of an Evidence Based Toolkit to Support Safe Design for Children

Visual safety information for children is not well documented. The objective of this research was to identify key issues and requirements at each stage of the design lifecycle. The development and future implementation of a guide seeks to convert evidence-based guidelines into working tools for design practitioners. Semi-Structured Interviews (n=30) conducted August- October 2013 with experts involved in working with children. Including, designers, organisations, child safety experts, applied child development specialists, testing groups, paediatric, academic, Ergonomic and Human Factors Experts. Initial analysis of the interviews identified the main problems with implementing Human Factors and Ergonomics guidance, as well as knowledge needs of design practitioners and other experts. Results look towards development of the toolset to promote a more holistic prevention/ view of safety. Key issues in implementation of the toolset include lack of an accessible format, differences between groups involved in promoting safety, lack of co-ordination between the groups and further national and regional factors.

Suzanne O'Connor, Patrick Waterson

Conference Proceedings

Inclusive Service Design: In Search of Better Services

Service Design focuses on designing services which are usable and desirable from the users’ perspective, and efficient and different from the organizations’ perspective. However, users are diverse and possess a variety of capabilities, needs, and desires, which presents specific challenges for Service Designers. Inclusive Design is an approach to designing products and services that addresses the needs of the widest possible audience, irrespective of age or ability. Draw upon these two approaches, this paper aims to present the concept of inclusive service design as an essential element in designing better services. The potential benefits of such an approach were explored through a series of qualitative studies of the bus service in Guadalajara, Mexico.Based upon the research, several advantages for service improvement were identified, drawn from the richness of data generated by younger and older customers, and the uniqueness of the information gained from them. Likewise, the value of the big picture data obtained from stakeholders. This information highlights areas where service designers can help reduce the gap between what service providers do and what a broad range of users expect or need.

Carlos Aceves-González, Sharon Cook, Andrew May

Conference Proceedings

Mass and Density of Materials: Quantity Surveying Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions

The construction industry in South Africa and worldwide generates a disproportionate number of fatalities, injuries and is associated with disease, the direct and indirect cost of which contributes to the cumulative cost of construction. Many injuries are musculoskeletal related in the form of sprains and strains arising from the handling of materials, which process is managed by construction managers. The purpose of the paper is to present the results of a study conducted among quantity surveying students in a South African university, the objectives being to determine their knowledge and perceptions relative to the mass and density of materials and construction ergonomics. The study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire circulated at the inception of the presentation of a special health and safety (H&S) lecture series at third year level, which effectively constituted a captive convenience sample. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and a mean score, a measure of central tendency, were computed to enable an interpretation of the empirical findings. The following constitute the salient results: knowledge relative to the mass and density of materials is limited; students appreciate that the mass and density of materials impacts on construction ergonomics; students rate their knowledge of the mass and density of materials as limited as opposed to extensive, and students appreciate the potential of the consideration of the mass and density of materials to contribute to an improvement in construction ergonomics. Conclusions include that: students lack knowledge and awareness relative to the mass and density of materials; students are precluded from conducting optimum design hazard identification and risk assessments, and quantity surveying education must be reviewed in terms of addressing / referring to construction health and safety, and ergonomics in other subjects. Recommendations include that: tertiary quantity surveying education address / refer to construction health and safety and ergonomics; professional associations raise the level of awareness relative to construction ergonomics, and design practices should include a category mass and density of materials in their practice libraries.

John Smallwood

Conference Proceedings

Time Study and Design

This paper describes new basic principles that underline the successful application of time study in ergonomics. The main purpose of time study is estimation of time required to perform a task. Often, time for task performance is based upon actual performance studies in which measurement are taken. Time not only reflects the duration of human performance and the distinguishing features of external behavior but also specifies internal cognitive processes. The time study becomes particularly important in those professions that have time restrictions. The presented material can be used not only for studying human productivity and effectiveness of human performance but also in ergonomic design.

Gregory Bedny, Waldemar Karwowski, Inna Bedny

Conference Proceedings

Workload Responses to Sensory-Motor Tasks Under Time Pressure in Life Sciences Labs: Effects of Task Complexity

The aim of this study was to assess workload response during a simulated pipetting task of different complexity under time pressure conditions. Thirty healthy volunteers (12 female / 18 male) gave their written informed consent to take part. After training they underwent a standardized test protocol including a baseline measurement (REST), a control pipetting condition under time pressure (CON), a complex pipetting task under time pressure (COMP), and recovery (RECOV). To avoid order effects pipetting tasks have been carried out in a counterbalanced order. Measurements included heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), breathing rate (BR), as well as diastolic and systolic blood pressure (DBP, SBP). NASA TLX was applied in order to assess perceived workload. There were minor, but significant elevations of HR, BR, SBP during CON and COMP when compared to REST and RECOV. However, with the exception of HRV measures, physiological data were not sensitive to variations in cognitive demands between the two pipetting conditions. Further, perceived mental effort differed significantly between CON and COMP and thus mirrored the different complexity of tasks. It can be concluded that the addition of cognitive demands under sensory-motor demands can be reflected by some HRV indices and subjective workload ratings but not by HR, BR and BP.

Annika Riegera, Regina Stollb, Kerstin Thurowa, Matthias Weippertab

Conference Proceedings

“Prepare For Work” Intervention Model in a Group of Operators MSD High Prevalence of Shoulder and Cervical Spine

This paper presents an intervention proposal for a group of workers, known as power line workers, who are responsible for mounting, operating and maintaining energy power lines for a company that provides public utility services in Medellin, Colombia. Power line workers have been characterized by high levels of disability and the adverse effects of MSDs, in particular tendonitis that affects the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder; a condition that has, in the past, led to high levels of work relocation. Following an analysis of the workplace and the implementation of an instrument for the assessment and perception of musculoskeletal discomfort and the affected joint areas, a proposal known as "PREPARE FOR WORK" was developed. This proposal included: awareness in looking after those body parts to be targeted, a physical exercise program, and a monitoring program that would provide ongoing feedback from the group of workers based on their perceptions of the exercises carried out prior to work. This will lead to the second application of the questionnaire known as Profile of Muscle-Joint MSD Prevention Program, a strategy to measure impact and improve intervention if necessary.

Emilio Cadavid, Luz M. Sáenz

Conference Proceedings

Development of a Tool Kit for Integrated System Validation

As one of the important elements of Human Factors Engineering (HFE) Program Review Model (PRM) proposed by NRC, integrated system validation (ISV) is an evaluation using performance-based tests to identify human engineering discrepancies (HEDs) and improve the design of systems. However, the descriptions of criteria and methodology in HFE PRM are so general that analysts in Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) industry are often encountered with confusions in real cases (Dong et al., 2013). The process of integrated system validation is so tedious and complicated that lots of manpower and time is involved. In addition, many steps of the process are repetitive and exhaustive which can be better managed by computer programs. In this study, a tool kit of ISV for NPP field is developed to support ISV data collection, data extraction and data processing. An analysis report as the output of the tool kit, would conclude results of ISV and provide reference for identifying HEDs. In this article, logic model and requirement analysis of the tool kit is described and a preliminary prototype is developed.

Meiqi Zhao, fei Song, Zhizhong Li, Xiaolu Dong

Conference Proceedings

Remote Collaboration-Study on Factors Affecting Team Mental Models

Design activities are becoming more scattered in place due to the development in technology and globalization of resources. As a result, the Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) for design, is not only required to adopt suitable technical products and systems to effectively support designers’ work, but also the remote collaborative _ team mental model factors affecting theory required to deeper exploration for designers team. Team mental models as cognitive variables of a team get attention in recent years. The concept that the team mental models can help team improve performance has been 20 years of history, but so far the team mental models theory has not yet formed a relatively complete system. The current measurement methods of team mental models are mostly static, individually measured for each team member's mind and then unity. This is tantamount to default team mental models are all members’ mental model of simple addition, ignored the team interactive processes effects obviously. This paper will be based on the current study of team mental models, through investigate the designers’ mental model of the same team, to analyze the team mental model factors of designers working in distributed environment, then establish corresponding reference models as well.

WuJing, Liu Long

Conference Proceedings

Modeling a Tangible User Interface for Navigation in an Information Space

The content elements and the connections between elements form an information space that is conceptually similar to a physical space. Navigation is a common problem in information space and in physical space. Using an appropriate metaphor is a key factor in transforming abstract information space into a tangible space that users can accept. This research proposes an interface design approach to navigate an information space, such as the contents of a website or a museum, with a tangible user interface (TUI). The goal of the TUI is to connect the digital and physical space with a visible and tangible form. Tangible objects are used as metaphors to manipulate the information space. Information finding tasks are given to the participants to test user performance and errors, and subjective satisfaction is evaluated with questionnaires. The effects of metaphors and the TUI/graphics user interface (GUI) are to be investigated. The results show that metaphors help users find information with better performance and lower error rates. Users also perceive more usability from interfaces with metaphors and think they can work better. The proposed TUI system can get similar errors and subjective usability as a GUI system, which users are more familiar with.

Chun-Wen Chen, Kevin C. Tseng, Shaofu Chang

Conference Proceedings

Human Factors of ISO 9241-110 in the Intercultural Context

ISO 9241-110 describes seven dialog principles that should be applied in human computer interaction design. In this paper, some ideas are presented regarding the question whether these dialog principles are valid in general with the same strength or when used in different cultures around the world if there are differences in their applicability and subsequently how this question can be tackled. First, the influence of culture on the user’s interaction with the system and on usability and usability engineering is elucidated. Second, cultural differences and methods to describe cultural differences such as cultural models are presented. Third, the analysis of the influence of culture on dialog principles is exemplified by the dialogue principle "suitability of the task". Finally, the results are discussed and challenges are identified. The ideas in this paper pave the way for deeper research in this area.

Rüdiger Heimgärtner

Conference Proceedings

A Campus-based Information Sharing and Communicating System for Collaborative Design and Decision Making

A campus-based information sharing and communicating system has been newly designed and implemented to realize network-based smart community like domain-oriented SNS for collaborative design and decision making in a relatively short period. For the sake of building large-scale poster for college promotion and the publicity of entrance examination, we must build up such a poster by means of the above information sharing and communicating system. We have taken some photos for candidates of poster, put them on exhibition with our system, and shared them with the determining committee's members on the system. This paper reports our system configuration and its application to real task of poster design. The system can play a role of such a design bed and communicating environment of collaborative design and decision making. With our system, we can perform the real collaborative design for poster creation in a short period. Its performance let the collaborative design and decision making more fruitful.

Masatoshi Imai* Yoshio Moritoh*, Yoshiro Imai**

Conference Proceedings

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Safety Beliefs about Products and Warnings: Brazil vs. United States

Concerns about safety have generated considerable research on warnings in recent years. A number of factors that influence warning effectiveness have been investigated. One factor is perceived hazard, which is a belief about how dangerous a product, environment or activity may be. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a cross-cultural investigation between the beliefs and attitudes about the safety of consumer products, the roles of product manufacturers and government in product safety, and aspects regarding warnings by participants in Brazil and in the United States (U.S.). A total of 282 individuals (including college students and adult volunteers) were recruited from these two countries. Participants in both countries believed that government would act to protect them by recalling or banning unsafe products and that manufacturers are more concerned with profits than safety. U.S. participants believed that the products in the U.S. were safer at a level that was significantly higher than what Brazilians believed about their products. Interestingly Brazilians reported that they read warnings more than the U.S. participants reported but Brazilian participants believed their warning labels were of poorer quality than what the U.S. participants reported. Other results show additional differences between the two populations. The results are discussed in terms of acknowledging that cultural background can affect safety-related beliefs.

Claudia Mont’Alvãoa, Soyun Kimb

Conference Proceedings

Visualizing Prioritized Typical and Potential Risks of Consumer Products by Graph Mining of an Accident Database

Designing a safe product requires predicting how consumers will use the product and what sort of risks exist in their daily environment. However, assistive technology for risk assessment of consumer products used in the daily environment has not yet been established. One of the most promising approaches is to utilize data on actual accidents that have occurred in the past. This paper proposes a new method that uses recently developed data mining technology to predict the typical and potential risks of consumer products. The proposed method is as follows: 1) create a situational graph database by structuralizing accident data as a graph; 2) visualize the typical risk using this situational graph database; and 3) visualize the potential risk using two methods: a probabilistic latent semantic indexing (pLSI) method and a method based on the features of the product. Prioritizing design improvement requires considering severity of injury. To this end, a function for supporting severity control is also implemented. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system, we applied our system to a dataset of 681 cases of accidental burning or scalding injuries. Injury severity was evaluated using body area of burn and scald injuries.

Akihisa Hirata, Koji Kitamura, Yoshifumi Nishida

Conference Proceedings

The Design of an Auditory Alarm Concept for a Paper Mill Control Room

Auditory alarms are common in industrial control rooms. Sound has certain advantages over other alarm modes. Salient auditory stimuli effectively capture and guide attention, regardless of the operators’ visual focus. Sound can also convey detailed information. However, auditory alarms are often carelessly implemented, utilising sounds that are too loud, too numerous, and too confusing. The aim of this work was to develop a concept to enhance the auditory alarms in a control room. Before the concept was developed, a study involving 21 operators evaluated the state of the alarm sounds. The results indicated a poor design and confirmed certain well-known issues with alarm sounds. The concept included new alarm sounds, spatial presentation of the sounds, and alarm repetition intervals. The sounds are based on a new design principle in which each alarm sound composes two parts. One conveys urgency information, and the other contains information associated with the section in question. The design process involved 24 control-room operators and 13 design iterations, which were used to refine the concept. An evaluation involving 20 operators was conducted to examine the appropriateness of the concept. The results demonstrate that the developed concept increases operator effectiveness and acceptance as well as the overall sound environment.

Anna Sirkka, Johan Fagerlönn, Stefan Lindberg, Katarina Delsing

Conference Proceedings

An Integrated Approach to Ergonomics in the Design Phase of New Car Models: Virtual Simulation and Physical Validation

During the last years, the car market has been characterized by a continuous request to produce new models in few years obliging OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to develop more flexible assembly lines and better methods for job planning on the same lines. New standards on work organization also require new concepts for process design and for production: the human centered approach to improve manual assembly operations. In Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) this approach has been applied during process design, using “Digital Manufacturing” (DM) techniques and, during Process Industrialization and Production, using the EAWS and ErgoUAS Methods for ergonomic optimization of assembly tasks and for optimal line balancing (distributing the work load in the best way between workers along the lines). The DM approach is based on a detailed “virtual plant” where virtual mannequins interact with digital models of car’s components, equipment, containers, etc. in order to simulate and improve working conditions with many benefits on ergonomics, safety, final product quality, work organization and general production costs. However, to achieve these results, experimental data and physical validation are also necessary. For this reason, an Ergonomics Laboratory (“ErgoLab”) has been built in FCA in order to have a physical validation of design/virtual solutions.

Spada Stefaniaa, Germanà Danilaa, Ghibaudo Lidiaa, Sessa Fabriziob

Conference Proceedings

The Body in Ideas: Implications of Embodied Cognition for Design

Our paper discusses the role of human body in the design practice, drawing from cognitive science contributions. we discuss the role of the bodily dimension in design projects starting from Norman’s seminal book on Emotional Design, to then review the most recent research on embodied cognition. We conclude by discussing two implications for design, concerning the role of embodied knowledge and the importance of designing for diversity.

Sebastiano Bagnaraab, Simone Pozzi

Conference Proceedings

Inquiring and Evaluation Ergonomics for Design

In the field of integral design (systemic design considers people, the activities, objects mediators of these activities and the environment of use of the objects) has been increasing interest to integrate the users during the development process, primarily for the investigation and evaluation stages. In certain university in the Mexican context efforts are made to train Designers with expertise in ergonomics, human factors and methodology associated with the processes of design development. Part of the effort is the constant incorporation of knowledge about the process of design, features and methodologies as well as the inclusion of aspects that allow users consider (ergonomics and human factors) at different stages of the design process. The objective of this proposal is to contextualize the importance of creating a toolkit which classified different methods and techniques and instruments from various disciplines useful for the stages of inquiry and evaluation of the integrated design process, identifying the type of data that sheds (qualitative or quantitative) and its application process and the utility reports to process. In order to improve the design process of inquiry has resorted to using diverse techniques that have allowed an approach to the qualitative and quantitative necessary to include the social, emotional and cognitive users during the development of the design process. Moreover, the assessment is a process of obtaining information and its use through the application of methods and techniques allows us to identify the level of development of a project with respect to the objectives, with the intention of making judgments useful for decisions, i.e. allows assessment feedback in the design process. There are considered two types of evaluation: formative and summative. Formative assessment is an assessment that is done during design to ensure that the product meets the needs of users while evaluation (also called summative or comprehensive) is an assessment that is done when the design is finalized, possessing each type evaluation. An evaluation design should observe all aspects that impact the user interaction with objects and the environment of use of the same, i.e. systemic approach is needed to respond to the questions: Why evaluate? , What evaluate? , Where assess? , When to evaluate?, all with the aim of evaluating the User experience (which involves affective, cognitive , physical and social) so that the methods, techniques and tools for inquiry or evaluation must be properly selected and applied during the design process.

Lucila Mercado, Alejandro Rodea

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Design of Labor Garments and the Perception of Comfort / Discomfort: A Discussion About Project Guidelines

Some studies point to the importance of work as a means of social integration. In this sense, the knowledge generated by ergonomics about human factors and activities in productive public and domestic spaces have contributed to this integration. The social relations of work and productivity are mediated by worker welfare, which also involves the use of clothing with attributes that contribute to comfort and risk reduction. In this context the role of the designer is to design clothing equipped with these attributes. Therefore, the following objectives were set: To evaluate the application of project Guidelines in work clothing design and relate their use to the perception of comfort by female employees of the UFPE-CAA administrative sector. The methodological procedures were based on the "Guidelines for the design of clothing for use while performing tasks," in Alves, Martins and Martins (2013). These guidelines had a significant effect on the work-clothing project. It considered the nature of the tasks, the needs and preferences of workers. The perception test during use revealed a prevalence of physical comfort over discomfort in general.

Rosiane Pereira Alvesa, Laura Bezerra Martinsa, Suzana Barreto Martinsb

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Design - a Research Line in Human-Technology Interfaces

Although technological developments in recent decades have improved the quality of life for many, these developments have also led to a certain amount of friction regarding human-technology interfaces. Several such cases are related to the occupational or everyday activities of users. Ergonomic design is an area of scientific understanding based on methods of biomechanical and usability evaluation, employed during the development of products and systems, whose purpose is to eliminate or minimize problems in human-technology interfaces. This area characterizes the studies developed in the Laboratory of Ergonomics and Interfaces (LEI) in the Design Postgraduate Research Program (Masters and PhD), at the Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Communication at the Univ. Estadual Paulista (Brazil). The studies are characterized as cross -sectional, and comply with the ethical principles for research with humans. Among the different studies in this area, are presented: the user experience and the usability of web-sites; ergonomic considerations in fashion and clothing; usability considerations in packaging; influence of product shape in symbolic and aesthetic aspects; biomechanical considerations in hand tools; assistive technology and product development for elderly and disabled persons; among others. The results of these studies are useful for the project and development of products and systems, once its results demonstrate the real problems of human-technology interfaces and provide reliable ergonomic and usability parameters.

Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

Conference Proceedings

The Multisensory Experience: A Case Study with Five Different Products

The human perception arises from an inner sense intrinsically dependent on the sensitive channels. Vision is considered the dominating sense in humans, while hearing, touch, taste, smell, kinesthetic sense and balance are complementary in most cases, with numerous exceptions. Until now, most studies suggest that the greater the number of sensory modalities stimulated at the same time, the richer the experience will be. As a result, the increase in the number of sensory modalities presented in a virtual environment can help people feel immersed and also help to improve the memory of existing objects in the virtual environment (Schifferstein and Spenser, 2008). This study aimed to evaluate the influence of multisensory integration in the user experience with different categories of products. Participants were 60 volunteer subjects of both genders and all users of these products; they evaluated 25 different products in three levels of multisensory integration: vision, vision+touch and multisensory. Results indicated that intrinsic characteristics of each product were responsible for the emergence of differences between multisensory phases, and the relationship between usability and visual aesthetics were less evident in the process. More specific studies are necessary to recognize more accurately the relationship between product characteristics and user perception.

Bruno M. Razza, Luis Carlos Paschoarelli, Heliana M. Santos, Lauane O. Andrade

Conference Proceedings

Technique Analysis of Processing System for Traditional Japanese Paper Fan

Kyo-Uchiwa is a traditional Japanese paper fan. The each main production process of Kyo-Uchiwa was described and summarized in this paper. The ‘Momi’ process was focused, which is the most important step for Kyo-Uchiwa production. The participant’s muscle activity of ‘Momi’ making process was measured and compared by electromyography (EMG) between using different bamboos with 3 days and 4 hours soaking time during the whole ‘Momi’ process. The classic electromyography fatigue indexes of EMG, MNF and MDF, were used to investigate master’s fatigue state. As a result, the bamboo of Kyo-Uchiwa frame at 3 days condition was considered as suitable production material before ‘Momi’ process.

Wang Zelong, Porakoch Sirisuwan, Chieko Narita

Conference Proceedings

Statistical Analysis of the Height of Human Head in the Use of Ballistic Helmets

The adequacy and improvements of the artifacts have been the concern of ergonomics, where the focus is the preservation of the physical, mental and social human being. This is the view of the anthropometry which is the measurement science and art of human knowledge of geometry, so it can be defined as the part of anthropology that studies the proportions and measurements of the human body. To defining a new measure anthropometric a statistical study is required with the correct number of samples for the experiment, definitions of the standard deviation and its variance, identification and comparison of means between groups, as the size for example, among other studies as design of the experiment. Knowing that the ballistic helmets used by national armed forces show up discomfort for many users, you must define new measures in the human head for a better dimensioning of the correct helmet proposing a new artifact for that function. Thus in this study a human head anthropometric survey of some potential users ballistic helmets, following a defined statistically, through its basic measures such as circumference, width and height of the head, as well as a new measure that is the height of human head for use of ballistic helmets. This new measure is statistically analyzed for its proof. It is in this scope that fits the purpose of this work that statistically analyzes the height measurement of the human head, based on the sizes of helmets S, M and L and verifies what is the required height for better seating of the product in question. So be correlated which of the measures of the head that is related to this point, in order to check whether it is necessary to analyze this measure for all users or you can check out other measures that are directly related.

Márcio F. Catapan, Maria Lucia Okimoto, Mateus Villas Boas, Roberto Waldhauer

Conference Proceedings

The Ergonomic Evaluations of Three Front Baby Carriers

This paper evaluates the physiological responses of three front baby carriers with different designs. Eight women (aged 23-31 y/o) were recruited to participate this study. Each subject was asked to carry two different weighted baby dummies (7kg and 10kg) using 3 different baby carriers and walk for 10 minutes. The average electromyography (EMG) of right upper trapezius, lumbar erectus spinae and rectus abdominis during walking were recorded. Skin temperature of right shoulder area and abdominal area as well as heart rate were recorded during walking. Immediately after walking, the Borg’s CR-10 scale was used to collect discomfort rating at various body parts. The results showed no differences in all three EMG recordings under 3 different baby carriers. Significant difference in 2 different weighted dummies condition was found in erectus spinae muscle. No difference was found in average heart rate under all conditions. For Borg’s CR-10 scale, significant differences were found in neck, right shoulder and left shoulder under different baby carriers and significant in right shoulder area under 2 weighted dummies condition. Based on the finding of this study, recommendations about the improved design of baby carrier are proposed.

Chao Yin Wuab, Hsiao Rong Huanga, Mao Jiun Wanga

Conference Proceedings

User-Centred Design for QR Store: a Case Study

This work describes the user centred design process of one of the first QR stores in Italy. Users related concerns in QR use and m-shopping experience have been surveyed, eliciting users’ expectations and needs for the effective and satisfactory use of the QR store to be designed. This has been achieved combining human factors reference data with studies on consumers behaviour buying in shopping malls and in m-commerce stores. Being the QR shopping a consumer experience happening in a multidimensional environment, multiple aspects of physical shops and environment, as well as of QR store app have been addressed during the design stage of the project, aiming at delivering: a) mobile interface of e-commerce service able to support effective and satisfactory buying tasks in public/crowded spaces, b) exhibition paths that match requirements of safety, security and trust in the m-commerce service and that, at the same time, represent an attraction element in environment, c) billboards for goods displaying, supporting ease of vision and information usability by both generic pedestrian flows and motivated customers. The paper also discusses the usability test in real environment to be conducted once the installation will be completed.

Sonia Marino, Gabriella Duca

Conference Proceedings

Emotional Design: How Pleasurable Environments Can Generate Value When Creating Smart Products

This article sets out to examine the relationship between men, the built environment and everyday objects so as to better understand what pleasurable products are and how designers can act to establish a symbiotic relationship between them and men, by making them more user-friendly, attractive, reliable and efficient. It is known that the “attraction” by a product is a form of positive emotional relationship. Therefore, assessing the various currents that place emotion as a necessary component in human life is fundamental if we are to understand and determine how people feel, think and behave in relation to others and to products and environments. A review of information contained in some studies that deal with the subject will be necessary to reach a better understanding of the subject and especially for a future methodological proposition about how to act in a methodological way when creating more pleasurable products and environments. Concepts like Affordance, Emotional Design, Interaction Man-machine-environment, Intelligent Environments and so forth, will be addressed throughout the paper in order to identify and discuss the physical, emotional and technological aspects that complicate life and, very often, minimize levels of satisfaction of our relationship with products and environments.

Rodrigo Balestra, Amilton Arruda, Andre Arruda

Conference Proceedings

Usability Evaluation of Products - A Survey on Methods and Techniques Used In Analysis of Consumer Packaging

Usability studies are concerned with identifying the level of interaction between the product or system and its user,in order to achieve their efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in a specified context of use, as defined by ISO9241-11 (1998). When referring to packaging we find that are common occurrences of various problems regarding use. The packaging is a product of regular or daily use, which, in most cases, a single model can be targeted to various kinds of procedures: age, sex, level of experience and different needs. As regards the analysis of the usability of packaging, there are a number of issues that require constant research, namely: “What methods are used and how the tests are conducted?”, “Which are the effectiveness/efficiency of existing methods, their limitations and difficulties of application?”, “Which technology trends for this type of analysis?”, among others. Therefore, the aim of this article is to present a survey on methods, techniques and tools (whether physical or virtual) used in academic research to evaluate the usability of packaging. Therefore, the survey was conducted in journals and scientific events related to ergonomics, design and usability. For the survey, were primarily selected articles published between 2009 and 2013.

Angélica Aciolya, Marcelo Soaresb, Phillipe Burgosc

Conference Proceedings

Redesign of Alarm Clock through Usability Evaluations

This research seeks to contribute in the construction of evidence concerning the importance of usability for design and processes to ensure that products, once they are in the context of use, have a performance consistent with the conditions and characteristics of the user. Above, it is intended to make clear that today's technology gives us basic tools that can be used to simulate an environment of use and test design proposals which, in the end, will be a more reliable and effective product. To achieve the above, assessed existing and from the problems of interaction detected electronic product, two proposals were generated of redesign, in order to recognize if there were improvements over the original artifact. These proposals were evaluated from the simulation of its operation and use to an Adobe Flash program and with a touchscreen platform. The results reflected significant improvements with the redesign in multiple aspects, in particular with the #1 proposal and it became apparent that even though in some ways the simulation does not replace the functional prototypes, it is a very useful tool for the design.

Natalia Anaya, John A. Rey Galindo, Marcelo Soares

Conference Proceedings

An Approach to Evaluation of Aesthetic Function on Usability: An Exploratory Study About Descriptors of Aesthetic in Pruning Shears

The aim of this study was to discuss the aesthetic evaluation in usability studies. Through an exploratory study with pruning shears, we seek to identify possible descriptors that make up the concept of beauty in these instruments for further evaluation of the perception of these factors with the variables of usability. The study was conducted with 90 subjects divided into three groups and both genders: Design teachers, students design and lay people in the matter. The interviews were individual. Each participant evaluated the appearance of nine pruning shears (with a focus on shape), with an issue which should answer what pruning shears considered more "beautiful", and a protocol for semantic differential with 18 pairs of descriptors of the beautiful, which were developed from definitions of beauty in dictionaries, theories of psychology and philosophy. We identified the most representative descriptors for the pruning shears elected most beautiful. The importance of these results is the possibility of carry out further tests about the influence of these descriptors in the perception of the usability of products, including the influence of the aesthetic function in the perception of usability.

Lívia Flávia de A. Campos, Liara M. de Mattos, Aline D. P. dos Santos, Luis C. Paschoarelli

Conference Proceedings

Risk Perception in Domestic Stove: Usability and Security Approach in Product Design

The stove is as indispensable product in residences and at food service places. While there is a better application of a best design in these products, it occurs, still today a great amount of lesions and accidents on handling it, which could be due to various causes. Norris and Wilson (1997) have demonstrated the relevance of ergonomic evaluation methods as helping element on identifying “Designing Safety into Products”. They considered that the product must present an expected reasonable level of security for any person that has contact with it, but this security must be extended to further users, passers and even though avoiding a misuse. Lidwell (2010), also agreed with the concept that accidents caused by human errors, could be caused, instead, by design errors but not by human operation. Thus, facing this scenery of risks and accidents caused by domestic stove, we pursued deepen knowledge and methods to obtain perception risk data on using stove. The objective of this article is to survey information about the risk perception on domestic stove use, in order to discuss aspects of security and usability related to design guidelines.

José Renato Taborda Ribasa, Maria Lucia L. R. Okimotob, Aurora Dalpinc, Maria Cristina Pachecoc

Conference Proceedings

Criteria for Measuring the Efficiency of use of Appliances: Survey from Usability Experts and Designers Opinion

This paper is part of a larger research project that aims to propose a methodological approach that aims to measure the efficiency of use of appliances in Usability Tests. This paper, in turn, aims to develop a list of criteria that should be considered in evaluation the efficiency of use of appliances in Usability Test. To achieve this goal, a research was conducted in the literature, with researchers in usability, with designers specialize in appliances and usability experts. The tools were considered: interview and five-point Likert scale. As a result, the following criteria have been selected as a recommendation to be considered in research that address the efficient use of appliances in Usability Test: efficiency perceived by the participant, the total time to perform the task, number of steps taken to implement the task, number of errors, cognitive effort, number of attempts and number of questions.

Caio Márcio Almeida e Silva, Alexandre Barros Neves, Stephania Padovani

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Fashion Design: Sustainable Dyes

Water waste, contamination, and fossil fuel generated energy are acknowledged issues within the textile industry. Current dyeing processes pose serious threat to the environment and human health, often associated with toxic and carcinogenic substances that are released into the environment, through effluents not conveniently treated before being discharged into natural waters. Besides print and pattern, consumers demand for basic characteristics in textiles – these must resist to agents that cause colours to fade. On the other hand, industry must provide a great range of colours and access to huge quantities of coloured substance to dye. Simultaneously, it must be cost-effective. Natural dyes are perceived as less harmful for the environment due to its biodegradable nature. Studies reveal certain natural dyes possess UVR protection properties, as well as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory assets. Nevertheless, depending on the nature of the dye, there are many advantages and disadvantages to consider.Through an extensive study on various fields such as Biotechnology, History, Ethnography, Biology, Archaeology, amongst many others we gathered information regarding natural coloured compounds, colour sources (plants, animals and microorganisms), ancient and modern techniques of extraction and application. This study shows the evolution of dyes throughout the centuries. It also reveals that the revival of natural dyes in addiction to new cutting edge technologies such as biotechnology might allow for an industrial feasibility.

Gabriela Santos, Cristina Carvalho

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics’ Valorization through the Systemic Design – Innovation for an Active Society

Ergonomics is a discipline concerned with human well being and in making resources adequate to human activities. Nevertheless we witness that the pressure of the market, regarding economy of time and resources make activities that involve optimization, such as ergonomic planning, design and evaluation, be penalized by the cuts performed by the industry. On the other hand, customers do not make a firm demand for ergonomic qualities which are not easily recognizable and can be complex to be designed and evaluated. Therefore the resource to protect human well-being regarding the resources available for them to develop their activities exists but is not well known or even recognized.This work proposes the valorization of Ergonomic activities by means of joining forces with the Systemic Design methodology in the development of strategies for increasing the awareness of customers. It also presents an instrument, the model of Systemic Network of Integral Endeavors, to be used to create strong network of businesses that are fully sustainable and that understand the importance of the respect for the customer.

Rosângela Míriam Lemos Oliveira Mendonçaab

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics and Design for Musicians

This research aimed to identify the potential problems or symptoms related to musculoskeletal disorders in a music students’ population, as well as the risk factors, musicians’ perceptions about the risks in their activities, ailments suffered, music practice habits, and the instruments and objects with which they interact. We carried out a comparative cross-sectional study. We used a questionnaire with 31 multiple choice and open questions. According to the results, the percentage of injuries in this research is 14%; which is less than what Shields and Dockrell (2000) found in similar population. The back and the neck are the areas, most affected by musculoskeletal medical conditions - 60 % of music students report problems in these areas, while 36% of the population is affected in their wrists and shoulders. Surprisingly, 59.1 % answered that their activities are as risky as other professions. 64% of subjects don’t perceive a need for auxiliary objects. , Based on this finding, we identify four routes for design and ergonomics for musicians.

Lilia R. Prado León, John A. Rey Galindo

Conference Proceedings

Innovation By Design: Considering the Basic

The study examines the Flux Theory and the influence of the disturbance from the workplace environment on the concentration capability of researchers and creative people, which will lead to innovation. Workers that handle mechanical activities will not suffer from the interference of the workplace environment as people who need to concentrate their mind on some intellectual and creative activity, but even these people, like industry workers, could bring ideas that result in innovation. The environmental comfort during long working hours may be the difference between extremely high and mediocre performances and results, for both kinds of workers. Also the task challenge proposed and the skills of people should be managed to reach the best use of their potential. To reach innovation, first it is necessary to produce conditions to flourish creativity. Basic concepts will help to discover why the results of so skilled employees are so poor. To show connections between theory and practice were used numbers and figures that represent the problem and give a clue about the dimension of it. The paper intends to start a line of research observing more basic concepts related to creative leap, innovation and workplace environment. Some results in built workplaces are presented.

José Renato Taborda Ribas, Maria Lucia Okimoto, Aurora Dalpin

Conference Proceedings

User Centered Design Principles for Entrepreneurs: Quality and Sustainability Since Start-Ups Beginning

This paper aims to enhance the importance of User Centered Design specifically for entrepreneurs, improving their companies and products and/or services. The focus of the research project concerns the importance of Design in service start-ups. The current situation, with the economical crisis and the consequent unemployment, created the opportunity for many individuals to develop their own companies, generating jobs for themselves and others. Usually, those entrepreneurs choose the same work industry where they have previous experience and know-how. Anyhow we have to consider that the average of startup companies end before being three years old. Before the creation, during daydreaming and the “kitchen table meetings” phase, people underestimate the time and effort needed to create, raise and maintain this kind of companies. This is a very important moment for the company’s maintenance and future. Focusing on the paradigm change, companies and entrepreneurs need to adapt themselves to the new reality through know-how. We underline the importance of User Centered Design (methodology and tools), Ergonomics and Human Factors to develop the projects in those small companies, which are fundamental to operationalize, enhance quality and increase global sustainability leading as main research result to a model where those are core aspects.

Teresa Serpa, Fernando Moreira da Silva

Conference Proceedings

Looking at the Ergonomics of the Environment of Customer Service Points in the Brazilian Public Sector

Given demands arising from verifying the conditions of use of customer service points in government departments and with a view to providing a suitable working environment for users, an ergonomic analysis was conducted in the built environments of each of three Brazilian government departments, deemed customer service points A, B and C. The ergonomic methodologies adopted were: a macro ergonomic analysis (GUIMARÃES, 2006), the systemic approach of the Human-Task- Machine system (MORAES & MONT'ALVÃO, 2003) and the Ergonomic Methodology of Assessment of the Built Space - MEAC (in Portuguese) (VILLAROUCO, 2009). Recommendations for the implementation of the locations of customer service points were drawn up based on the joint results of the ergonomic analysis. The main ergonomic demand was the proposal for a new physical arrangement of the sector. The sizing of the work stations will follow the anthropometric measures in order to contribute to defining the dimensional relationships between the individual and the task he/she performs.

Ana Paula Lima Costa, Vilma Villarouco

Conference Proceedings

The Challenge of Accessibility in Historic Towns: The Case of Tiradentes Square in Ouro Preto - Brazil

Ouro Preto was the first Brazilian city to be considered as a World Heritage Site (1980) and is one of the most relevant with regard to the Portuguese colonial architecture in Brazil. The objective of this article is to analyze the situation of accessibility design heightening in the Tiradentes Square, considered the tour "heart" of Ouro Preto. The methodology was discussed literature review to contextualize the history of people with disabilities since the time of colonization until the mid- eighteenth century and the history of the city of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes Square. Subsequently was made a case study of change in the level of excerpts from Tiradentes Square, held in 2008, based on the Architectural Design and Memorial Description provided by the Municipality of Ouro Preto. Inserting accessibility elements was recommended, since it has been found that this action cannot be considered sufficient to make Tiradentes Square accessible.

Miriam Carla do Nascimento Dias, Patrícia Pereira Quinelato, José Alberto Barroso Castañon, Maria Teresa Gomes Barbosa

Conference Proceedings

The Contribution of Ergonomics to Accessibility

Physical accessibility can be defined as what is possible in terms of movements in the environment, and of knowledge (spatial orientation and communication) and the use of equipment. An examination of the different professional practices currently used in relation to accessibility shows that several approaches seem to co-exist. Some of these are highly fallible and even constitute obstacles that need to be overcome. Therefore, this paper proposes a constructive approach to accessibility, which considers space as a resource for the subject who uses it, before making several proposals, which are simultaneously theoretical and methodological..

Xavier Rétauxa, Gaetan Bourmaud

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics Analysis of a Control Room Operators’ Workstation in an Electric Power Supply Company: An analysis of the Built Environment

This article sets out an ergonomic analysis of the built environment of the control room of the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) of a company that supplies electricity in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The Methodology of the Ergonomic Analysis for the Built Environment proposed by Villarouco (2009) was used as a research tool. As part of the study, the following forms of analysis were used: analysis of the physical aspects of the work environment, including taking measurements of noise, lighting and temperature; analysis of the problems identified and analysis of the user’s perception. Suggestions for improvements to the workstation were proposed.

Rafaela Q. Barros, Isaura Cavalcante, Alexandre M. T. Silva

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomic Intervention and Sustainable Innovation

Among the reasons interfering with the product development are the human being necessities concerning with activities that one has to do to make possible the action in his/her environment. In order to satisfy such necessities, the practice of Design allow us to find project solutions that yield the balance among several factors inherent to the process of product development, with exchange between the designers, who aims a positive reception for their products, and the end user, in conformity with their necessities. However, the process should take into account the preoccupations with the sustainable development that, according to the Brundtlando report, should be the simultaneous search for economic efficiency, social justice, and environmental harmony. The report also states that the industry should produce more with fewer resources, as well as adopt clean technologies, and proliferate the knowledge by means of financial support of the local and international organizations. This work describes the adaptation of two systems, the traditional roasting furnace of manioc flour and the combustion system by clean burning (downdraft). By making use of a clean technology for production, the resulting system pursues economical feasibility that can lead to social fairness, promoting environmental harmony.

Sheila Cordeiro Mota

Conference Proceedings

The Inter-Relationship Between Socio-Technical Systems and the Principles of Environmental Sustainability in the Pursuit of Quality of Work Life, Productivity and Pollution Prevention

For Du Roy (1992), joint development or socio-technical design is a term coined in the United States to designate the joint development of social and technical systems. So it was intended to implement the joint design as an alternative to a challenge to the dominance or sovereignty of the technical design that refuses or neglects to take into account the question of "how the technology will be used." According to Capra's vision, sustainable not only refers to the type of human interaction with the world that preserves or conserves the environment to avoid compromising the natural resources of future generations, but a complex function, which combines a special way the state variables related to the aforementioned characteristics. Therefore, this paper aims: to present a theoretical discussion about the correlation between socio-technical principles and principles of environmental sustainability. The research will be done by means of qualitative analysis and exploratory study based on direct and indirect documentation. This is expected to show no correlation between the existing standards, and if it is possible to provide benefits, break paradigms and encourage developments in the topics under study, in order to verify the technical feasibility to correlate Quality of Working Life and Environmental Sustainability.

Giles Balbinottia, Grazielle Coutinhob, Leandro Vieirac, Leandro Wiemesd

Conference Proceedings

Ergonomics, Environment and Sustainability

The concept of environment is one with different scopes, accordingly to the theme in question. Seeing it from macro or global aspects, the main concerns addressed include pollution of air, water and land and ecosystem destruction, for its part at the micro or individual level, the areas of work and movement, proxemics or accessibility to spaces are points of interest more frequently addressed. This diversity of approaches and interests is due in part to the multiplicity of disciplines from which it is addressed the complex environmental concept, as each discipline given its specificity, manages technical terms and theories that are not always shared by other disciplines, affecting interrelationship of its objectives and methods when analyzing as more complex systems. Thereby, as an example, in ergonomic systems users are analyzed when performing specific activities with objects and spaces well defined. These spaces are the environment in which these users perform its activities, and are very important for them because they confer -or not- the conditions for an optimal ergonomic relationship. However, to adapt the environmental conditions for a User on a particular task have effects in broader systemic levels of analysis, usually in contrast of the ideal conditions needed by other users or (micro)ergonomic systems. Thus , to perform a given activity may require certain temperature, ventilation and lighting, while another may require different conditions for their achievement. This divergence of environmental conditions at micro level approach, have different intensities at either the environment within an organization and globally. When an ergonomic system is designed, the intention of achieving adequate levels of effectiveness, efficiency, health, comfort and satisfaction –just to mention few basic objectives of the ergonomics discipline, the object’s variables, and those of the activity and the environment are manipulated in the search of a synergistic balance that drives through such ergonomic objectives, but several questions arises about what are the environmental impacts of these decisions into higher systemic levels. Based on macroergonomics concepts can be developed analysis strategies to determine actions to be taken in adapting the ergonomic system, not only pursuing its objectives per se, but in order to consider the best design practices in relation to the effects caused to the environment with this intervention, converging into a more sustainable development vision.

Alejandro Rodea, Lucila Mercado

Conference Proceedings

Human Factors in Design of Sustainable Buildings

Ergonomic approach is aimed at optimizing human interactions with systems, in order to make human activities more efficient, safe, comfortable and satisfying. Built environment influences people’s everyday life because all human activities are executed in a built space. In this framework, architectural design can be enhanced by the consideration of human factors perspective, because it gives the cultural and practical references to envisage how technical solutions can fit the environmental needs derived from people’s life and work activities they perform. Since the main objectives of sustainable design are to reduce, or completely avoid, depletion of critical natural resources and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle; create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe, and productive, a broader consideration of the role of human factor has to be taken into account to enhance design process of sustainable buildings. Several studies evidence that to reach sustainable goals of buildings, particularly referred to energy and resources use and optimization, unexpected disadvantages for final users may occur. The paper shows recurring human side effects of building solutions and elements mainly adopted to address green strategy and technologies, in order to support building design to create working and living spaces actually fitting, in the same time, sustainable performance of buildings and needs of inhabitants.

Erminia Attaianese

Conference Proceedings

The Quality of Building Design Between Aesthetics and Usability: a Case Study on Underground Stations

This paper presents a research on railway station usability, where Usability Performances Areas (UPA) and Usability Performances Indicators (UPI) have been defined in order to understand the gap between intended design quality and actual quality as perceived by end-users of the building. According with the ISO 9241/11 standard, the definition of usability metrics has been based on the observation of users and tasks in the railway station, resulting in 13 clusters of users, with characterizing behaviours and needs, involved in 15 elementary tasks. UPAs express the general usability requirements common to all tasks, which have been successively elicited in a set of corresponding usability indicators, specifically addressing each task. The full list of UPIs has been applied for the assessment of an underground station of Naples (Italy), belonging to an underground stations network created with the joint work of world-class architects and artists. Usability critical points related to architectural plan, architectural detailing and outfitting which result from poor consideration of end-users in building design process are discussed, together with implications for the effective integration of ergonomic skills in the design process.

Gabriella Duca

Conference Proceedings

How to Integrate Ergonomics and Sustainability in Architecture Workshops?

The current challenges regarding climate variations and energy consumption rates are pushing designers, architects and engineers to create strategies to improve the efficiency of new systems, as well as those already existent. In this effort to find more solutions, systems are frequently over passing the limits of the human body; affecting its health, comfort, happiness and the positive perception of the built environment. This paper contains the design of a Workshop in “Sustainability + Ergonomics” in architecture teaching. The aim of this Workshop is to encourage undergraduate students to integrate the concepts of Sustainability and Ergonomics in their professional practice. The content of the course is divided in two: 1) learning the natural environmental phenomena and 2) understanding the human body response to environmental factors for buildings´ design, with a group of experts. In order to structure the aims of this Workshop, a review of the courses in Architecture Schools from Latin-American Universities was made, to verify the inclusion of Ergonomics and Sustainability topics. Subsequently, there was a selection of the main objectives in each field of study evaluated and according to this, a theoretical and practical exercise was designed which integrated the findings of the academic review.

Alexander González, Julie Waldron

Conference Proceedings

3D Scan of Elderly Functional Postures Applied to Interior Home Design

The percentage of people over 60 years increased from 8.6% in 2000 to 10.8% in 2010 in last Brazilian Population Surveys (IBGE, 2010. In 78 cities of Brazil the elderly citizens already represents 20% of the total population. In this context, fall become a priority concerning and one of the most serious consequences of aging. Fall is being recognized as an important public health problem due to their incidence, health complications and high cost assistance. Research conducted in Brazil and other countries refer that falls are more frequent among institutionalized elderly people and can have multiple causes (Lojudice et al, 2010). A study conducted with elderly in Fortaleza city/Brazil pointed out that the main falling cause (57%) was related to inadequate home environment (Cavalcante, et al, 2012). Among the factors related to domestic environment, the most often cited was the existence of slippery surfaces (33%). The most common consequence of falls was fracture, indicated by 43% of the elderly; radius fracture being the most frequent one (56%). After home accidents, common consequences for elderly people may be increased physical dependency and wide range of psychological troubles due to loss of independence and self-consideration. The main purpose of this study was to scan elderly people on daily activities postures selected according to frequency, difficulty and safety at home situations, in order to create a functional postures database to be applied on interior home design. Those scans will also be used to study new interior layout proposals in order to improve safety at home and avoid hazards workload postures. In the first stage 10 women and 01 man were interviewed and then scanned simulating daily activities selected postures. In a second stage a motion capture study will be conducted. The partial results indicated the adoption of common postures; for example: getting something on the floor, where most of them performed forward trunk bending instead of knee flexion. The importance of this study is to understand how to implement new interior layout design and prevention programs in home institutions aiming to improve elderly population’s quality of life and safety. This pilot study is part of two researches supported by FAPERJ – Rio de Janeiro Research Support Agency.

Carla Guimarães, Maria Cristina Zamberlan, Flavia Pastura, Gloria Cid, Marcelo Ferreira

Conference Proceedings

Homes for the Elderly: Environmental Adequacy Versus Costs to Use

Seeking to establish relations between the existing theory and practice of the production of more conducive environments to the elderly, whether they are institutionalized or not, many theories have been proposed. As such, this paper aims to evaluate the interdependence of quality and environmental adaptation system management of financial resources in Long-term Stay Institutions for the Elderly. The question here is if the quality of the physical spaces is actually a direct reflection of financial contributions, thereby ensuring the ambience and spatial quality in such institutions. The research aims to evaluate the physical environment through the Ergonomic Methodology of the Built Environment (VILLAROUCO, 2009) in four institutions – one public, two private and one with a mixed source of funds, all located in Northeastern Brazil. The intent of the analysis of the built environment is to highlight any non-compliance with existing laws for Long-term Stay Institutions for the Elderly, which would jeopardize the safety and well-being of elderly residents. Thus, it allows checking the implications financial and administrative aspects have on the quality and ambience of physical spaces and the observation of the importance of these factors for the quality of the built environment.

Nicole Ferrer, Marie Monique Paivab, Vilma Villaroucob

Conference Proceedings

Comparison Between Two Child-Resistant Packages (CRPs) Through a Usability Test With Elderly People

The present study aimed to conduct a usability test with elderly users, using two Child Resistant Packages (CRPs): one of them is the "Squeeze-and-turn" type and the other is the "Push-down-and-turn" type, in order to identify differences between genders and propose improvements in the design of the caps. The proposed task was to open and close the two packages. The results show that subjects had difficulties with both packages, however the push-down-and-turn package seems to be easier to open, but the satisfaction of use was higher for the squeeze-and-turn package.

Gabriel Henrique Cruz Bonfim, Luiz Carlos Paschoarelli

Conference Proceedings

Statistics of Accidents in the Portuguese Elderly Population: A Short Review

This short review of accident statistics emerged from the need to characterize the loss ratio of the Portuguese population aged 65 or older (one-fifth of the resident population), as part of a larger ongoing study on national policies of risk management. Step three of five consisted of researching information on accident statistics within public organizations, within academic studies university programs and in full-papers. The statistical information obtained mainly reflects work accidents and does not include many of the other occupational activities of the elderly. The available information does not present data that support the characterization of the injured person, such as age. The elderly present individual conditions that characterize them as a vulnerable group when exposed to risk, with reflections in the accident rates. Considering the importance of human factors and the age of the injured person in the cause of the accidents, it seems appropriate and essential to specify the age of groups (65 or more years) in the accidents data, to respond to the information needs, to facilitate detection of changes in the level of occupational risk and products, as well as support the need for legislation and standardization of risk management issues in the activities of the Portuguese elderly population.

António Augusto Ribeiro, Miguel Corticeiro Neves

Conference Proceedings

Users’ Perceptions on Mobility, Comfort and Usability of Manual Wheelchairs

The objective of this study was to assess the users’ perceptions on the extent to which the wheelchair meet their mobility needs and overall satisfaction. Fifteen manual wheelchair users were interviewed with a questionnaire comprising questions about their perceptions on aspects of the daily wheelchair usage such as comfort and mobility. The results show that, in general, users experience seating and mobility problems related to their wheelchair. Participants reported problems to move independently in ramps, steps and with wheelchair transfers. Moreover, discomfort and pain were also reported as problems resulting from the prolonged use of wheelchairs. For the majority of the subjects, their wheelchairs are not ideally suitable to them, suggesting problems in the wheelchair prescription and provision. The results demonstrate that, from the users’ point of view, both mobility and comfort problems affect users’ experience with the wheelchair in daily usage. Such problems evidence the existing problems with the current design of manual wheelchairs. Designers and manufacturers may benefit from this knowledge when designing and producing wheelchairs that are most suitable to users’ characteristics, needs and expectations.

Fausto O. Medola, Suzana Gamac, Valeria M.C.Eluic, Luis C. Paschoarelliab, Carlos A. Fortuland

Conference Proceedings

The Establishment and Evaluation of a Multi-Learning System to Assist the Congenitally Blind to Use the Boshiamy Method to Input Chinese Characters

By using a sound-decoded input method like Zhu Yin, the congenitally blind are able to input Chinese characters into a computer which allows them to type and access needed information. However, they experience great difficulty selecting the correct same-sounding characters and words from others. Consequently, their overall learning and, oftentimes, career development, suffers as a result of frequent typos which makes them even more socially vulnerable. For this study, a multi-part learning system consisting of instructional materials, three face-to-face taught instructional courses, assistive learning technologies such as NVDA, and a typing performance assessment, is established. Six subjects, three adults and three children, were chosen to participate in this experimental study. During the course of the study, each subject was assisted by a sighted individual who verbally described to the subject the components of Chinese characters. The dependent variables examined were the number of typos typed, typing accuracy, and the speed at which the subjects were able to input the characters. The study also included semi-structured interviews and scenery observation. The preliminary results of the study revealed that the adults experienced limited progression due primarily to problems adapting to the system whereas, conversely, the accuracy rate and typing confidence of the group of children was significantly enhanced.

Teng-Hua Weng, Sheue-Ling Hwang, Jan-Li Wang

Conference Proceedings

Scaling of Tactile Models for the Memorial of Justice of Pernambuco, Recife/Brasil

The article aims to review the design of tactile models for Memorial TJPE regarding ergonomics. The object of study comprises Brum Station located in the city of Recife. The station was built between 1879/1881 and now operates as a museum since 2001. The proposal to develop the work came from the intention of performing an exercise with students of architecture that could be useful to the Memorial and the visually impaired . The relevance of the action occurs by the absence of such material, as well as being indicated by laws, as a compensatory element when accessibility to public buildings do not exist. The method of development of the studies was based on the study of the dimensions of the building; the damage and the accessibility conditions . Six models were made on the scale 1/100. The main results of the discussions were: a) the size of the models in 1/100 scale were considered satisfactory; b) the employed materials had the desired effects and; c) The APEC evaluators will make transcripts to Braille of the names of the spatial organization and other architectural elements in order to enable social inclusion to the historic building .

Terezinha de Jesus Pereira da Silva

Conference Proceedings

The Employment of Senior Citizens in Singapore

The employment of senior citizens is a global challenge of major proportions, and increasing apace. From the systems ergonomics perspective these challenges can be categorized and measured from physical, cognitive, social, affective, environmental or economic viewpoints. A series of studies is underway at SIM University, Singapore to evaluate the characteristics, capabilities, limitations and aspirations of senior citizens aged 55 – 75 with regard to their employment, and compare these with a cohort of younger counterparts. The first phase of this project measured physical capabilities including, size and shape, strength, speed, stamina, and motor skills. The results of these studies indicated that, whereas these variables showed some expected associations with age, they also showed very large individual differences, presumably related to disease, disuse, disinterest, inheritance and life history. The second phase of the study investigated the perceptions, using a Kano approach (must have, more the better and excitement categories), of older people with regard to their jobs on dimensions such as physical demands, technology demands, economics, relationships (with management, co workers and customers) and job environment. As predicted economic and relationship issues dominated the results, followed by physical and technology demands. The third phase was an objective approach to the physical and operational job demands using a “Job Physical Activity Sampling” approach. This analysis indicated widely varying sedentary and dynamic job demands. Finally guidelines are presented with regard to employment of elderly people to assure health, safety and satisfaction. These guidelines are categorized using a consensus based demand – strain model that addresses spatial, manipulation, environmental, manual materials handling and operational factors. Participants were also surveyed regarding their perceived fitness for work. The conclusion of the study was that age per se is not the main challenge; rather it is the correlates of age, such as disease, that stand in the way of gainful employment.

Brian Peacock, Chui Yoon Ping, Samuel Low, Phang Chun Kai, Loh Sok Khim

Conference Proceedings

Working Conditions in the Sector of Urban Passenger Transport the Metropolitan Region of Recife

The article aims to analyze the conditions of employment of the driver and the bus conductor, the urban passenger transport in the Metropolitan Region of Recife sector, aiming at the performance and quality of life of workers. The survey of the working conditions of these two professionals was conducted in 19 transport companies Recife by staff researcher at the Laboratory of Ergonomics and Universal Design ( LABERGODesign ) of the Federal University of Pernambuco and the Center for Health and Safety at Work ( NSHT ) University Pernambuco with support from Regional Labor Attorney of the 6th Region of the Ministry of Labour ( MPT ). For this survey was carried out in 19 bus companies, methodological procedures for measurement of risk - noise, vibration, heat, total dust O2 and CO; Applied checklists for workplace of the driver and the bus conductor; applied questionnaires to both driver and collector, also made an assessment of postural discomfort using the tool Corlett diagram, in addition to photographing and filming in a real work situation of the driver and conductor. The results obtained from the research we identified the actual working conditions - physical, cognitive and organizational - of those two professionals and analyzed the jobs of the driver and conductor. The results show the consequences that the driver and conductor suffer to spend too much time sitting and with little break time, what are the areas of the body most affected by pain and discomfort in those two professions, including organizational issues they face, well as the physical and environmental risks that are exposed during a working day of 8 hours, 10 and 16 hours. The analysis of the research has relevance to the areas of occupational safety and ergonomics since the results may contribute to intervene in the security and quality of life of such professionals.

B. Barkokébas Juniora, A. B. B. H. Pintob, L. B. Martinsb

Conference Proceedings

Surgical Pathologist’s Workstation Ergodesign

There are many concerns about fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries associated with the postures a Surgical Pathologist is exposed to during the daily routine tasks. These professional’s tasks circle around data analysis based on the viewing of slides in a microscope, taking notes and compiling reports. Most of the time this is made seated on a desk which leads to bad postures and subsequently to postural malfunctions. The study is based on a three-step methodology: Literature Review, Field Research Procedures and Data Processing. The first step concerns a review of research in scientific literature. The review focus is the Surgical Pathology in general, and also in specific points such as the workflow and equipment related to this profession. The second step is centered in tests in a real environment, performed by Surgical Pathologists during their daily working routines in order to gather practical information. The data from the tests were captured both written and videotaped. From the theory and practical data acquired the information was processed in order to produce infographics that illustrates all the issues surrounding the Surgical Pathologist’s workstation. The final information will be used to design a new workstation that improves the working routines of the Surgical Pathologist.

Guilherme Nunes a Álvaro Sampaio, Paulo Simões

Conference Proceedings

Designing a Tool to Support Patient Safety: Using Research to Inform a Proactive Approach to Healthcare Facility Design

Healthcare architecture has become an increasingly specialized field, marked by a complex interaction between people, operations and the physical environment and an ever changing landscape of regulation and reimbursement. Patient safety is often considered in a behavioral context – what can someone do differently to improve outcomes? However, as a complex system of interactions, patient safety is better advanced through a systems-thinking lens of Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE). Attaianese and Duca commented on the use of HFE principles in design, stating that, “when the system is the built environment, the systemic approach requires that designers move from an attention exclusively reserved for building functions towards the set of actions that users actually perform and that building has to support.” This paper reports the development of a proactive Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) tool which will contribute to the 2014 Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities. Six hazard areas have been considered as underlying conditions to injury or harm in the design of healthcare environments: 1) Hospital Associated Infections, 2) Falls/Immobility, 3) Medication Safety, 4) Patient Handling, 5) Security, and 6) Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Injury. These categories have been developed using iterative cycles of Delphi and nominal group methods to achieve consensus of categories and question sets for inclusion in the SRA.

Ellen Taylor, Anjali Joseph, Xiaobo Quan, Upali Nanda

Conference Proceedings

Gender and Ergonomics: The Recognition of Women’s Occupational Diseases

Scientific international papers have been selected to show the underrepresentation of women’s occupational diseases in many countries. Women musculoskeletal disorders are included although represent the first claims of working women not only in Europe. Lack of ergonomics in gender work concept is the cause of women occupational illnesses but more ergonomics should also play a role in ameliorating the gender gap recognition. Job title and summary description of work activities are not fair in representing women’s exposure. Dual task (or double actions) and multitasking are examples of poorly studied women’s work activities. Only some specific studies in the health care sector show multitasking work demand towards higher performance among nurses. The increase in fatigue towards occupational diseases, due also to this exposure, represent another ergonomics challenge. Ergonomic observation of women work can help to identify inequities in each step of the process to overcome gender bias, occupational health diseases included.

Silvana Salerno

Conference Proceedings

The Minimum Area Required for Children Aged Between 3 and 5 Years Old in a Kindergarten

This paper contains the first stage of a research developed by Buen Comienzo Programme, Medellin Mayor’s Office and a group of Architects, to identify the minimum area required for a child aged between 3 and 5 years old, while occupying a kindergarten. According to the Colombian Technical Regulation (NTC4595) for architectural design in Colombia, the minimum area for Educational Buildings is 2 m2 per child. This measure includes: the work area (0,5 m x 0,7 m =0,35 m2) per student, the storage area (10% of the work area, 0,035 m2), and the area for general furniture. Pursuant to this standard, it can be deducted that occupancy of buildings is determined by the regular furniture dimensions. However, the movements of children are determined not only by furniture but also by their relationship with other children. Therefore, data of children’s dimensions in movement can improve the decision making process for the architectural design, pedagogy and the review of regulations. This research was developed considering that a child spends 70% of their time in a kindergarten, in constant interaction with other children, objects and furniture. The content will refer to the review of world and local regulation about children occupancy in educational buildings.

Julie Waldron, Ader Garcia, Carolina Bedoya

Conference Proceedings

Evaluation of the Occupied Area of Children Aged between 3 and 5 Years Old in Different Kindergarten Spaces

This paper contains the second stage of the research "The minimum area required for children aged between 3 and 5 years old in a kindergarten", which was developed between Buen Comienzo Programme, Medellin’s Municipality and Architects Julie Waldron and Ader Garcia. Often, kindergarten are planned in a conventional way of construction; they are designed following standard building measurements (NTC4595), given by the quantity of square meters per child, rather than the spatial necessities. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the occupation area of a child in three different spaces: the classroom, cafeteria and bathrooms, as well as their correspondent activities: drawing, sleeping, eating and cleaning up. The study was developed photographing a 5 years old model, which was performing the selected activities. The photo analysis showed that the area needed in a space should not be limited by the equivalent area physically covered by the children solely performing the activities. Thus, each activity was compared in different children grouping configurations and these were analysed in different room shapes. The results were evaluated aiming to find the average occupation area. Finally, this research integrates: activity and shape of indoor spaces and dynamic required rates.

Ader Garcia, Julie Waldron, Carolina Bedoya, Lady Cuervo, Laura Marin, Catalina Morales, Carlos Sanchez, Andrés Felipe Sierra

Conference Proceedings

Design of Protective Clothing: Discussing the Brazilian Projects with Significant Ergonomic Attributes

This study aims to present research on protective clothing. Initially, we explain what are the garments of protection, importance of your research, and then we try to describe the relationship between fashion design and ergonomics in order to contribute to research on occupational safety. Contextualizing research on the topic, in order to reflect on the design of wearable devices, as investigated, garments of protection. To do so, carry on about the state of art of clothing. Finally, we address the particularities of a user-centered research, with a view to effective usability.

Marizilda dos Santos Menezes, Charles Ricardo Leite da Silva, João E. Guarnetti dos Santos

Conference Proceedings

An Introduction About the Usability of Protective Clothing: A Historical Analysis

This study aims to develop a historical analysis of protective clothing. Initially, it is explained in the analysis adopted. I.e., the combination of a diachronic and synchronic analysis in order to reflect on the design of wearable devices, as investigated, garments of protection. To do so, carry on about the state of the art of clothing, the first record of their presence in the day-to-day company until present models. Finally, we address the particularities of a user-centered design, with a view to effective usability.

Charles Ricardo Leite da Silva, Paula da Cruz Landim, João Eduardo Guarnetti dos Santos

Conference Proceedings

The Impact of Design Overkill Versus Ergonomic Considerations - Men's Jeans Trousers

Ergonomic design is a methodology that deals with understanding and predicting issues related to the interaction between human and many interfaces, culminating in the application of ergonomic and usability criteria in design. Among the many interfaces which humans face on a daily basis, which include a pen, the steering wheel of a car, the workplace in a company and information boards, are clothes, especially clothes in their relationship with fashion and the human body. In order to ensure the continuity of the fashion cycle, fashion design proposes alterations to the pieces of clothing, to give them a novelty appearance and operate at the symbolic level of the product. However, some alterations are made without considering ergonomic criteria of usability and functionality. This study aimed to evaluate, via direct approach to male jeans users, their perception regarding discomfort in relation to the design elements used for adding aesthetic distinction to products. A protocol were applied to 10 (ten) users, in order to assess their perception (Likert scale) of five (5) different products, of which one stood out significantly in several aspects of the evaluation. The products of the fashion category "over" had higher rates of general discomfort of the product.

Marcos José Alves Lima, Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

Conference Proceedings

Open Innovation and Prospective Ergonomics for Smart Clothes

In this paper, we introduce our theoretical approach of Prospective Cognitive Ergonomics, our methodology and the results obtained through Homo Textilus, a project for designing what might be Smart Clothes, the future of interactions between people and their digital clothes. For collecting data, we used different kinds of inquiries (questionnaires, short interviews, brainstorming) resulting in more than 300 proposals about digital clothes involving many kinds of functions (ranging from textile properties to garments made of electronic parts such as sensors and actuators). We emphasize more precisely how counterfactual based reasoning may be a powerful tool to elicit responses about future objects by making people envisage alternative worlds by using, for instance, the “WHAT IF NOT” (WIN) method of creativity for innovation. Indeed, counterfactual reasoning plays an important role in predicting, planning and decision making and this kind of reasoning can be seen, at the same time, as a simulation mechanism (what could / would happen if…) and a computing mechanism (what I have to do to make it possible…). Finally, we demonstrate how the “WHAT IF NOT” method of creativity can be applied to objects, functions, procedures, and objects states to elicit new ideas about future things.

Charles Tijus, Javier Barcenilla, Marie Rougeaux, François Jouen

Conference Proceedings

Civil Defense Volunteers Calling for Helping in Disasters Situation

This article presents a study on the volunteers calling system for helping the Civil Defense group from the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Traditional calling is done using computer and telephone, what takes a time officials cannot spare. Therefore, volunteers are seldom called. A new calling system based on smartphone and geolocation technology was prototyped and compared with the traditional system. Simulation of the two systems showed that, in the traditional system, it takes 1h45min for two officials to call 96 volunteers. Only one official using the new technology can perform the same task in 7min36s. The results show that the introduction of new and affordable technology can improve the work performed by Civil Defense.

Lia Buarque de Macedo Guimarãesa

Conference Proceedings