Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - BPK 180W D100

Introduction to Ergonomics (3)

Class Number: 5775

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 14, 2021
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Grade 12 Biology or Physics, Grade 12 Math.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Intended for students with a potential interest in ergonomics or human factors. The course surveys the design of work, the workplace environment, information systems, and consumer products. Topics include musculoskeletal disorders, manual materials handling, workplace design, organization of work, design of human/machine interfaces, environmental ergonomics, industrial design, and legal and social issues. Students with credit for BPK 180 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will be run in a blended style.  Lectures on Fridays from 12:30-14:20 will be in person as will tutorials on Wednesdays.  In addition, one hour of asynchronous online lecture is required per week.

WEEK

ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE- CANVAS

TUTORIAL/LAB

 

FRIDAYS

12:30-14:20

I

 

Introduction to BPK 180W

Tutorial 1 - online

History and Humans

History, benefits, Human variation

II

Occupational ErgonOMICS: WRMSD

Tutorial 2

Library Tutorial

Occupational ErgonOMICS: UPPER LIMB INJURIES

Risk factors

 III

 

Occupational ErgonOMICS:

Approach

Tutorial 3

RSI Risk Factors

Occupational ErgonOMICS: UPPER LIMB INJURIES

  Solutions

IV

 

 

OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS: Office Ergonomics I

Tutorial 4

Prepare for Assignment 2

ANTHROPOMETRY I

 

V

OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS: Office Ergonomics iI

Task Analysis

Tutorial 5

Anthropometry

 

ANTHROPOMETRY II

 

VI

WRITING IN THE FIELD OF ERGONOMCIS

Tutorial 6

Review for Midterm

MIDTERM

EXAM – 1 hr

VII

Occupational ErgonOMICS: MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING I

Tutorial 7

 

Outlining and reverse outlining

 Occupational ErgonOMICS: MANUAL MATERIALS

HANDLING II

Risk factors , Solutions

VIII

Peer review of outline of Assignment 2

 Tutorial 8

MMH Risk Factors

Occupational ErgonOMICS: PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION

IX

WRITING FOR A PUBLIC AUIDIENCE

Tutorial 9

Work on Assignment 3

ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN

Psychosocial Issues

X

cognition

Human Error

 Tutorial 10

Work on Assignment 3

HUMAN MACHINE INTERACTION

 

XI

Peer review of draft of Assignment 3

Tutorial 11

Work on Assignment 3

PRODUCT DESIGN I

Design process

XII

PRODUCT DESIGN II

 

Tutorial  12

Product analysis

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Noise, Lighting

XIII –

 

 Tutorial  13

Review for Final Exam

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Vibration, Thermal

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of the course students will be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of the application of ergonomic principles to create safer, healthier, more productive, and more satisfying work environments, consumer products and human-technology interaction experiences. (I) (EX)
  2. Describe key aspects of human variability that influence design decisions and how they can be documented in a user profile to assist the design process. (I) (E) (EX, TA)
  3. Describe how anthropometric data are gathered and presented and apply anthropometric principles to fundamental design problems. (I) (A) (EX, TA)
  4. Identify risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal injuries and discomforts and outline the mechanisms for their development. (I) (EX, TA, A)
  5. Describe and plan the 7-step approach to conducting an ergonomic evaluation and outline techniques which are fundamental at each stage. Apply the 7-step approach in an office setting. (I) (A) (EX, TA, A)
  6. Identify evidence-based solutions at the person, process and environmental levels to address ergonomic issues in the workplace, in the design of consumer products, in human computer interaction and in reducing human error. (I) (EX, TA, A)
  7. Outline the key steps in developing ergonomics programs within the workplace and identify when ergonomics legislation applies. (I) (EX)
  8. Recognize steps in consumer product development and identify stages where ergonomic principles can be applied. (I) (EX)
  9. Describe the effects of lighting, noise, vibration and temperature on health and performance. (I) (EX)
  10. Demonstrate the ability to write effectively in the discipline of ergonomics for various audiences in both a technical report format and public writing piece. (I) (A) (TA, A)
  11. Conduct a literature search for ergonomics related material and demonstrate ability to reference in APA style. (I) (A) (TA, A)
  12. Identify and explain how to navigate ethical issues and professional in the discipline of ergonomics. (I) (EX,A)

Level:

(I) Introduces (E) Emphasizes (R) Reinforces (A) Applies

Assessment Method:

EX (examinations, including midterm, final)

TA (tutorial activities – including marked “labs” and non-marked activities with feedback)

A (marked assignments with several stages of feedback and revision)

Grading

  • 4 Tutorial/labs 8%
  • Assignment 1- Ergonomics References 7%
  • Assignment 2 – Office Ergonomics Evaluation 25%
  • Assignment 3 – Magazine article about Ergonomics 15%
  • Midterm Exam 14%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Course evaluation 1% (if more than 75% of class completes) 1%

NOTES:

This introductory course is intended for all students with a potential interest in ergonomics, occupational therapy or physical therapy and is a requirement and pre-requisite for those wishing to take higher level ergonomics related courses and/or complete the Occupational Ergonomics Certificate. 

This course will enable the student to understand how the application of ergonomic principles can create safer, healthier, more productive, and more satisfying environments.

BPK 180W surveys major ergonomic and human factors issues including: the design of work, the workplace environment, information systems, and consumer products.    Note that this course is a pre-requisite to other courses in the ergonomics certificate and is designated as a W course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

On-line readings will be provided

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.