Station Design – Station Design – Ergonomic ConsiderationsErgonomic Considerations

Ray ConradRay Conrad

KT4WKT4W

PVRC Contest CollegePVRC Contest College

Considerations for the Modern Considerations for the Modern StationStation

• Functional ConsiderationsFunctional Considerations• ErgonomicsErgonomics• Additional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations• A few funny storiesA few funny stories• Presentation draws upon many guest Presentation draws upon many guest

appearances appearances • Thanks to those who sent photos, and Thanks to those who sent photos, and

to those whose photos are on the webto those whose photos are on the web

Functional ConsiderationsFunctional Considerations

• Contest stations have evolved Contest stations have evolved – Pencil and paper (until ~1985)Pencil and paper (until ~1985)– Computer aided operation (starting ~1985) Computer aided operation (starting ~1985)

driven by innovationsdriven by innovations• Computer softwareComputer software

– Allowed SO2RAllowed SO2R

• Packet Packet

• Station design must Station design must accommodateaccommodate the the human user! human user!

• Proper design helps reduce operator fatigueProper design helps reduce operator fatigue

Workstation design considers Workstation design considers the user the user

• Who is the user?Who is the user?– Single OP? Single OP?

•So, fit yourselfSo, fit yourself

– Multi-op?Multi-op?•More considerations More considerations

– Does tall one hit his head?Does tall one hit his head?– Short one, can she reach? Short one, can she reach?

•Can you accommodate users from 5 feet tall Can you accommodate users from 5 feet tall to about 6 foot 4 inches? to about 6 foot 4 inches?

Fundamentals of computer Fundamentals of computer workstation designworkstation design• Establish proper sitting heightEstablish proper sitting height

– Feet flat on floorFeet flat on floor– Weight supported in chair pan, little pressure on back of Weight supported in chair pan, little pressure on back of

thighs thighs – Arms are horizontal Arms are horizontal

• Now, set the keyboard heightNow, set the keyboard height– Correct keyboard height allows wrists to be in neutral Correct keyboard height allows wrists to be in neutral

position position

• Finally, set monitor heightFinally, set monitor height– Height should be allow eyes to look down slightly from the Height should be allow eyes to look down slightly from the

horizontalhorizontal

• Avoid sharp edges on desks which are pressure Avoid sharp edges on desks which are pressure pointspoints

Some common issuesSome common issues

• Chairs are not adjusted properlyChairs are not adjusted properly– Read the owner’s manual!! Read the owner’s manual!!

• Chairs do not support large users – giving Chairs do not support large users – giving pressure points in the buttocks pressure points in the buttocks

• Tables are frequently too high for Tables are frequently too high for keyboardskeyboards– Keyboard height is a major consideration Keyboard height is a major consideration

• Monitors are too high, sometimes much Monitors are too high, sometimes much too high too high

Other Display Other Display ConsiderationsConsiderations• DisplayDisplay

– Correct RX for font and distance Correct RX for font and distance • Do NOT tip your head to use reading bifocal Do NOT tip your head to use reading bifocal

• Glare SourcesGlare Sources– Overhead lightsOverhead lights– Windows behind userWindows behind user– Task lights shining on screen Task lights shining on screen

• Flicker or jitter Flicker or jitter – Re-position, possible grounding and EMI issuesRe-position, possible grounding and EMI issues

More Ergonomic More Ergonomic ConsiderationsConsiderations• Acoustic NoiseAcoustic Noise

– Equipment BlowersEquipment Blowers– Building HVAC, esp. heat pump blowers and oil Building HVAC, esp. heat pump blowers and oil

fired furnacesfired furnaces– AppliancesAppliances

• Washer, dryer, dishwasher, plumbing noises Washer, dryer, dishwasher, plumbing noises – Inter-operator noise Inter-operator noise

• ““Are you operating from a hotel?” Are you operating from a hotel?” • Is the room live? Hard walls, floors and ceilings? Is the room live? Hard walls, floors and ceilings?

– Family ConsiderationsFamily Considerations• Do NOT put shack under the bedrooms!! Do NOT put shack under the bedrooms!!

– 4 year old: “Mommy said she is going to hit you with a 4 year old: “Mommy said she is going to hit you with a stick.” stick.”

Designing for multi-opDesigning for multi-op

• Quick tests of user friendly stations Quick tests of user friendly stations – Is a long tutorial needed before a guest can Is a long tutorial needed before a guest can

operate? operate? – Do guest “break” your station? Do guest “break” your station?

• Logical grouping of displays and controlsLogical grouping of displays and controls– Top rotor box controls top antennaTop rotor box controls top antenna– Bottom rotor box controls bottom antennaBottom rotor box controls bottom antenna

• Controls should give expected resultsControls should give expected results– Up is on; down is off – USA, but v.v. in EnglandUp is on; down is off – USA, but v.v. in England– What happens when a knob is turned clockwise? What happens when a knob is turned clockwise? – Antenna rotation if switch is moved to the right? Antenna rotation if switch is moved to the right?

Case studies Case studies

• Participants should have a sharper Participants should have a sharper eye for design criteriaeye for design criteria– Critique stations shownCritique stations shown– What’s good in each design?What’s good in each design?– Offer suggestions for improvementsOffer suggestions for improvements– Take away good ideasTake away good ideas– Bring forward lessons learned from your Bring forward lessons learned from your

stationstation