LESSON OUTCOME

At the end of this topic, participants should be able to

1. Understand the definition of ergonomics

2. Explain in brief laws and regulation of ergonomics in Malaysia

NABN 2018
 Ergonomics concerned with the understanding of interactions among human

and other elements of a system in order to optimize human well-

being and overall performance

 It takes into the account the users capabilities and limitations

to ensure that tasks functions, information and the environments suit each user.
 ERGONOMIC DEFINITION
The word ergonomics comes from two Greek words:

ERGO: meaning work

NOMOS: meaning laws

1. Ergonomics is a science focused on the study of human fit,

and decreased fatigue and discomfort through product design.
2. Ergonomics can be an integral part of design, manufacturing, and use.
 ERGONOMIC DEFINITION
References Definition

Science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the

capabilities of the working population
NIOSH 1997
(1) Effective and successful “fits” assure high productivity
(2) Avoidance of illness and injury risks
(3) Increased satisfaction among the workforce
Ergonomics is the systematic study of people at work with the
ILO 1998 objective of improving the work situation, the working conditions and
the task performed
Study of work. It is the science of designing the job to fit the workers,
OSHA US 2000 rather than physically forcing the worker’s body to fit the job
Science concerned the “fit” between people and their work. If put
HSE UK 2013 people first, taking account of their capabilities and limitation
Ergonomics is an approach or solution to deal with a number of
Humantech 2016 problems—among them are work-related musculoskeletal disorders
The objects of this Act are—

(a) to secure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work against risks to safety or health arising out of the
activities of persons at work;

(b) to protect persons at a place of work other than persons at work against risks to safety or health arising out of the
activities of persons at work;

(c) to promote an occupational environment for persons at work which is adapted to their
physiological and psychological needs;

(d) to provide the means whereby the associated occupational safety and health legislations may be progressively
replaced by a system of regulations and approved industry codes of practice operating in combination with the
provisions of this Act designed to maintain or improve the standards of safety and health.
No Part OSHA 1994 Description Note
1 Safety and Sec 16 OSH Act … to prepare … a written statement of Indirect but strong relation
health (S&H) 1994 general policy with respect to the safety between ergonomics and
policy and health at work S&H policy. Safety policy
relate to ergonomics is
important to show
management commitment
2 Medical Sec 28 OSH Act … by reason of changes in any process.. Indirect and strong relation.
Surveillance 1994 there may be risk of injury to the health
of persons employed in the process
3 Function of Sec 15. OSH Act ..duty extends include in particular: a) Ergonomic falls under
SHO Regulation (18) Provision and maintenance of plant… occupational safety and
safety and Health b) Making arrangement.. to investigate health. Thus it is related.
Officer under new misses… to collect, analyze and
OSHA 1994 maintain statistics on any accident.
No Part OSHA 1994 Description Note

4 Function of safety Sec 31 ; The SHC shall keep under review Indirect but strong relation between
and health Reg (11d) measures taken.. which a member of the ergonomic and function of SHC.
committee (SHC) Safety and committee or a person employed .. is in Ergonomic falls within one of the safety
Health harm or at risk.. … review safety and and health scope
Committee health policies at the workplace and
Regulation make recommendation to the employer
1996 for any revision of such policies. ..
inspect workplace every 3 months..
..investigate accident … review OSH
report..
5 Responsibility of Reg (7) An employer shall send a report in an Indirect but strong relation between
notification NADOPOD approved form to DOSH within 7 days ergonomics and responsibility in making
2004 where a person at work suffers from one notification.
of the occupational poisonings or
occupational diseases in the 3rd schedule.
1. The Factories and Machinery Act was enacted in 1967 as Act 64. It was revised on
1st April 1974 and amended to the Laws of Malaysia Act 139.

2. To provide control on factories to secure safety, health and welfare of person therein

3. For the purpose of registration and inspection of machinery and For matters connected
therewith

Protect workers in the sectors defined as a factory namely:

Manufacturing ; Mining and Quarrying and Construction
No Part FMA 1967 Description Note
1 Noise Reg (4) Noise Obligation of occupier and employee… wearing a noise Direct and strong relation
Exposure dosimeter during exposure monitoring. -Wear and make full
Regulations, and proper use of the hearing protection device provided. between ergonomics and noise
1989 Undergo audiometric testing or any medical examination or exposure Permissible exposure
test -Attend employee information and training programmes
conducted by the occupier limit is described in detail but no
Reg (5) and Reg No employee shall be exposed to noise level of : detail guidelines for management
(6) Noise • 90 dB ( A) or exceeding limits specified in the First
of hazards.
Exposure Schedule or exceeding the daily noise dose of unity
Regulations, • Exceeding 115 dB (A) at any time
1989 • Impulsive noise exceeding a peak sound pressure level of
140 dB.

2 Space Reg (24) Safety … not less than four hundred cubic feet of space for each Direct and strong relation
Health and person employed therein, and in determining such space, all between ergonomics and work
Welfare space more than 14 feet above the level of the floor shall not space.
Regulations 1970 be taken into account.
No Part FMA 1967 Description Note
3 Height at Reg (24) Safety, Every workroom shall not be less than 10 feet in height Direct and strong relation between
work room Health and measured from the floor to the lowest point of any cross ergonomics and height at
Welfare beam ,thereof: … or the purpose of housing machinery workplace
Regulations 1970 and in which no person is employed full time in
attendance at such, machinery and .. shall not be less
than six feet and six inches,
4 Temperature Regulation (28) Suitable provision should be made to reduce the effect General requirements is written
Safety Health of temperature as he may considerable and practicable – and employers need to have
and Welfare) adequate means shall be provided, shall be lined with guideline on how to manage
Regulation 1970 suitable insulating material or coated with white paint, ergonomics practicall
white wash or other heat reflecting material
5 Seating Reg (30) safety, . seating facilities shall be provided and maintained Direct and strong relation between
facilities Health and suitable and sufficient seating facilities for their use. .. ergonomics and seating facilities.
(related to Welfare where a substantial portion of any work can properly be Even though the explanation is not
work
method
Regulations 1970 done sitting, there should be provided and maintained detail enough, there is guideline
problem) for any person employed in that work a seat of a design, provided for seating at work.
construction and dimensions suitable for him and the
work, together with a foot –rest in order to reduce
fatigue - And the arrangement shall be such that the seat
is adequately and properly supported…
No Part FMA 1967 Description Note
6 Lighting Reg (29). Safety and -No person shall be permitted to .. less that than 10% of the floor Direct relation
(related to Health and Welfare area thereof.. windows and skylight are located and spaced so
illumination) Regulations 1970 that daylights conditions are fairly uniform over the working
area. Intensity of illumination shall not less than two foot –
candles or five foot candles depend on the point taken. -local
lighting source shall be mounted and arranged so as to confine
the light to the immediate working area… prevent formation of
shadows.
Reg (20 Building Illumination sufficient for maintaining safe working conditions Direct and strong
Operations and work of shall be provided wherever persons are required to work or pass. relation
engineering For passageways, stairways and landing, the illumination shall
construction (Safety)
Regulations 1986
not less than 50 lux.
7 Work bench Reg (31) Safety and Every workbench or worktable shall be of a design construction General explanation
(related to health welfare and dimensions suitable for persons employed so that the work
work method Regulations1970 can be carried out without undue strain
problem)
 Improved
Health and
Safety

Improve Higher Morale

Competitiveness Throughout the
Workplace

Reduce Workplace
Injuries Improved Quality
(work and wellbeing)

Decrease
Improve
Absenteeism
Productivity
Long distances runner typically start slowly, letting their bodies adjust and
their breathing find its rhythm.

They pick up the pace steadily.