Applications of Ergonomic Studies in India: A Literature Review

Abstract

India, known for its diversity in resources and culture, is a land for a large variety of people resulting in huge variability in anthropometric dimensions. This necessitates human factors to be crucial in engendering usability in a product thereby making it beneficial. Due to the emerging complex work systems, knowledge on physical dimensions of humans with accuracy is influential. As a result, Production engineers are impelled to involve ergonomic factors into manufacturing a product. However, anthropometric data varies from region to region. Ergonomics accounts for all anthropometric differences in individuals. The paper tries to identify how well ergonomic aspects and anthropometric data have been applied in different areas. Proper ergonomic designs demands thorough knowledge on the effect of study of anthropometry, posture, repetitive motion, and workspace design on the user and also satisfies psychological desires of the user. The current work also addresses various literatures in identifying the importance of anthropometric and ergonomic studies in product design in India. Also, areas where Ergonomic knowledge should be considered is looked into. This literature can help in enlightening oneself about the areas of application of ergonomics and can be used for further investigation in researches related to anthropometry. It has been suggested that work study, statistical and optimization techniques can be used in combination with ergonomic applications to solve design issues.