Employee Motivation, the Organizational Environment and Productivity

Ergonomics

Ergonmic Checklists - Visual Displays and Dials

Legibility:

• Can the required data be obtained from display quickly with the required accuracy?
• Are the scales correctly graduated and are as simple as possible; not giving needless or spurious accuracy?
• Do the letters, numbers, graphics and markings conform to the relevant standards in relation to the required reading distance; is the required reading distance different from the normal reading distance?
• Are pointers and other indicators simple and clear, and do they allow numbers to be read without obstruction?
• Are pointers mounted so that the visual parallax is minimized?
• Have great differences in brightness between displays, dials and surroundings been avoided?
• Is the legibility of the display impaired by reflection of light sources?
• Is the legibility of dials impaired by bright lights visible within the same area of vision?
• Has shadowing by pointers, edges, or controls been avoided?
• Does the chosen numerical progression minimize reading errors?

Grouping:

• Is it possible to group the different categories of dials and displays in different planes or surrounds of mounting?
• Can groups of displays of a specific category be divided by area or color patterning; are the layouts of displays so contrived as to highlight when the normal changes to abnormal?
• Are displays located near to their corresponding controls?
• Have the most important and/or the most frequently used instruments the best position in the normal visual field?
• Are the most frequently used instruments grouped together in one and in the same area of the visual field?

Positioning:

• Is the positioning of controls on similar machines or displays correctly standardized?
• Does reading of instruments require undue movement of head and/or body?
• Is the location and size of the display correct in regard to sitting posture, arm reach and viewing direction?

Accuracy and speed:

• Is the accuracy of the instrument compatible with the required reading accuracy?
• Are reading errors minimized by the design of the instrument?
• Is the time lag between changes in the system and indication of it in the display minimized as far as possible?
• Are digital displays used for accurate reading and for adjusting to a predetermined value?
• Is a moving pointer display used for estimation of the degree of deviation and for adjusting deviation?
• Is the dial as simple as possible in regard to the desired information; can colored zones (e.g. red, amber, green) be used instead of numbers and markings when only check information is required?
• Is a satisfactory signal used to indicate the breakdown of a measuring instrument; and is the knock-on effect whereby several alarms may occur simultaneously avoided in favor of the most important?

Conformity:

• Does the grouping and arrangements of displays conform to the required reading sequence?
• Do pointers and other graphics point in the same direction when equipment is working correctly?
• Does the direction of the movement display have a similar meaning in different displays? Is the positioning of displays in different colors the same where these panels serve a similar purpose?

Controls:

• Is it possible to see immediately which situation is indicated by the position of the control?
• Does the controlling hand impede the reading of the dial?
• Is it possible to indicate the zero position by a stop?
• Is it possible to recognize controls or visual graphics by means of differences in shape, color or size?

Next | Gaining knowledge in ergonomics