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HKUSTx: Ergonomics in Action

The course is designed to provide an understanding of how anthropometric and biomechanical information can be used in the design of workstations and products such as footwear with the aim of improving safety, productivity, comfort and health of people.

6 weeks
5–6 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Mar 27
Ends Jun 25

About this course

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Ergonomics is the application of scientific information about people in order to design products and systems so that they are safe, productive, comfortable and healthy for people to use.

People are of different shapes, sizes, strength, speed, judgment, skills, and capabilities. Hence, there is a need to evaluate and quantify differing metrics to evaluate the differences. What is important is to fit the task and equipment used to the person rather than fitting a person to a task or equipment so that a majority of the people are able to and like to do what needs to be done.

The course will focus on recognizing the basic needs of people in terms of biomechanics and present the various design strategies so that products and systems are compatible with people who use them thereby improving human performance, reducing the risk of discomfort and injury.

With the knowledge gained, you can experience the excitement of redesigning or retrofitting workplaces and other types of products whether it be for continuing education or just for knowledge.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Design Strategies, Human Performance Technology, Information Sciences, Biomechanics, Anthropometrics, Ergonomics

What you'll learn

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At the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Design a workplace according to ergonomic principles
  • Determine anthropometric measures
  • Apply anthropometric tables for evaluation and design criteria for products
  • Identify engineering solutions to improve human performance and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury when interacting with products

Week 1: Design for Seated and Standing Work
Spine basics, sitting and standing posture

Week 2: Seat Design
Sitting considerations and principles

Week 3: Anthropometric Measures and Basic Statistics
Introduction to anthropometry, measurement techniques, basic statistical analysis and anthropometric databases

Week 4: Anthropometry in Use
Use of anthropometric tables, estimating data, design criteria

Week 5: Ergonomics in Footwear
Foot and related dimensions, footwear characteristics, fitting feet to footwear

Week 6: Course Summary

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