SYNOPSIS

The origin of the word Ergonomics is from the Greek word ergon meaning work, and nomos meaning natural laws. It is the science of designing products and workplace to suit human user. Human anthropometry such as height, weight, and proportions are taken into account as well as information on hearing, sight, thermal comfort, muscle strength and other.  In the USA Ergonomics is sometimes known as human factors engineering. Ergonomics at the workplace is as important as other areas in occupational safety and health.  By incorporating human factors in the work environment to suit both physiological and psychological needs, productivity can be increased and health related problem can be reduced.  An environmentally friendly and comfortable working condition can reduce work related stress. The main issues in ergonomics are manual handling, repetitive motion and awkward movement which can result in back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as other musculo-skeletal disorders. Based on the latest reports by SOCSO, injury claims due to ergonomics is on the increase. Back pain and slip disc are the most common types of injury mainly due to incorrect lifting method. Carpal tunnel syndrome which prevalent for repetitive work is also on the rise. This technical talk  will provide an overview of related issues in workplace ergonomics and how to prevent injury.


SPEAKER’S BIODATA

Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim is an Associate Professor at UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, UTM Kuala Lumpur.  He is also an associate lecturer at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan.  Prior to joining UTM he has worked with two multi-national corporations in the area of manufacturing. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and B.Sc. in Engineering Management from University of Evansville USA in 1988. He obtained his MSc in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Warwick University in 1991 and his PhD from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2006.  He also received a Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health in Manufacturing Industries from Worksafe Western Australia in 1998. At present, he is the coordinator of Safety and Health Officer Course organized by Federation on Malaysia Manufacturers (FMM).    

He has conducted training with various multi-national and local companies throughout Malaysia in the area of Operations and Production Management, Occupational Safety and Health, Emergency Response Plan, 5-S and Housekeeping, Project Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Poka Yoke, Quality Improvement, Statistical Process Control, ISO 14000, ISO 9000, HACCP, GMP, Production Planning and Control and Method and Time Study. He is also an invited speaker at Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM), Incorporated Society of Planters, (ISP), ALAM, International Business School (IBS), Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP), and Business and Advanced Technology Center (BATC), Institut Pembangunan Pengurusan Johor (IPPJ), Prestariang and Pusat Pembangunan Tenaga Industri Johor (Puspatri). He has also conducted training for Sudan Master Technology (SMT) in Khartoum in 2014. He was also an examiner and interviewer for Safety and Health Officer Competency certificate (NIOSH).