Mark Dohrmann-- Ergonomics
Mark defined ergonomics as fitting work to people. It is much more than the design of furniture. It involves embedding human factors considerations into workplaces, products and processes. It involves physiology, anatomy and psychology, as well as engineering. The aim is to make things safe, comfortable and productive.
Mark gave a number of examples of the use of ergonomics:
- Design of power tools so that the position of controls is safe.
- Giving evidence in court when people have accidents, considering questions like ‘Did they see it?’, ‘Did they understand it?’, ‘Were they able to respond in time?’.
- Advising on manual handling, e.g. it may be better to pull rather than push bins.
- Getting around problems with caster wheels, which are hard to get moving and to steer.
- Safety on escalators, e.g. children get caught in teeth of escalator and cannot reach the stop button.
Marks started Solve (www.solve.org.au), a not-for-profit organisation that makes and modifies equipment for people with disabilities whose needs cannot be met commercially. Solve started in 1975 and now has 11 branches and over 160 active volunteers, and completes over 650 projects throughout Victoria every year. Mark gave a number of examples of its work:
- Making it possible for a person in a wheelchair to take out a wheelie bin.
- Helping people hold spoons, use taps and to get objects off the floor.
- Modifying bikes so that children with disabilities can learn to ride.
- Helping mothers with babies to look after, who are restricted in movement.
He spoke of the satisfaction of seeing people happy as a result of Solve’s work.