§181 人間工学の原則

The requirements set out in section 1.1.6 refer to ergonomics. The discipline of ergonomics can be defined as follows:

“Ergonomics (or the study of human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among human and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”.

the manual handling of loads where there is a risk particularly of back injury to workers (fourth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). OJ L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 9.

handling of machinery and component parts of machinery.

of working postures and movements in relation to machinery.

The ergonomic aspects referred to in section 1.1.6 can be distinguished into two groups. The first group includes ergonomic factors that have to be taken into account when designing machinery. Five factors are listed in the indents of section 1.1.6, however it should be underlined that this list is not exhaustive but is intended to draw the attention of manufacturers to certain important aspects of ergonomic principles.

The second group, listed in the first sentence of section 1.1.6, includes negative effects that can be caused by these factors. Good design reduces the negative effects of these factors on persons whereas inadequate design is likely to give rise to discomfort, fatigue or physical or psychological stress. These effects may, in turn, give rise to musculoskeletal disorders and other ill-health effects, for example. They also can be a factor that makes injury accidents more likely.

The following diagram illustrates requirements set out in section 1.1.6:

Ergonomic factors Possible negative consequences

Guidance on the practical application of ergonomic principles to the design and construction of machinery is given in a family of harmonised standards developed by CEN TC 122 Ergonomics. The relationship between these standards and the ergonomic factors listed above is presented in a separate table and in series of information sheets.

In addition to the general requirement set out in section 1.1.6, ergonomic principles must also be taken into account when applying the essential health and safety requirements (EHSRs) set out in a number of other sections of Annex I to the

Operators variability

Space of movements

Work rate

Concentration

Man/machinery interface

Allowing for the variability of the operators:

 physical dimension

 strength

 stamina

Providing enough space for movements of the parts of the operator`s body:

 posture

 dynamic

Avoiding a machine- determined work rate:

 pace

 speed

Avoiding monitoring that requires lengthy concentration:

 vigilance

 mental operations (number, complexity)

Adapting the man/machine interfaces to the foreseeable characteristics of the operators:

 visual

 auditory

 sensitivity

 sensory

Physical stress

Psychological stress

Discomfort

Fatigue

Stressors, loads

Negative effects

Under the intended condition of use of the machinery, the discomfort, fatigue, and physical and psychological stress faced by the operator must be reduced.

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. For example, the following EHSRs include important ergonomic aspects:

EHSRs applicable to all machinery:

Lighting (section 1.1.4),

Handling of machinery or parts of machinery (section 1.1.5),

Operating positions (sections 1.1.7 and 1.1.8),

Control devices (section 1.2.2),

Extreme temperatures (section 1.5.5),

Noise (section 1.5.8),

Vibrations (section 1.5.9),

Radiation (section 1.5.10),

Emissions of hazardous materials and substances (section 1.5.13),

Risk of tripping, slipping and falling (section 1.5.15),

Machinery maintenance (section 1.6.1),

Access to operating positions and servicing points (section 1.6.2),

Operator intervention (section 1.6.4),

Information (section 1.7);

Supplementary EHSRs for portable hand-held and/or hand guided machinery:

General requirements (section 2.2.1),

Instructions - vibrations (section 2.2.1.1);

Supplementary EHSRs for the mobility of machinery:

Driving positions (section 3.2.1),

Seating (section 3.2.2),

Positions for other persons (section 3.2.3),

Control devices (section 3.3.1),

Starting/moving (section 3.3.2),

Movement of pedestrian controlled machinery (section 3.3.4),

Means of access (section 3.4.5),

Signs, signals and warnings (section 3.6.1),

Instructions - vibrations (section 3.6.3.1);

Supplementary EHSRs for lifting operations:

Movement of loads during handling (section 4.1.2.7),

Access to the carrier (sections 4.1.2.8.2),

Control of movements (section 4.2.1);

Supplementary EHSRs for the lifting of persons:

Control devices (section 6.2),

Access to the carrier (section 6.4.3).

A guidance document on the application of essential health and safety requirements on ergonomics, as approved by the Machinery Working Group, is available on EUROPA website for machinery and to be noted that it is in process to be revised and updated.