Make It Fast, Make It Easy, Make It Safely

Kansas City

10 FEB 2022

Issue# 101

Automation has reduced much of our repetitive, physical work. But there is still plenty left for humans to do and most people do not know, instinctually, the best way to do it.  The result is often reduced output, unnecessary fatigue and, too often, repetitive motion or other injury. More than 80 years ago, Ralph Barnes set out his "Principles of Motion Economy"; guidelines for getting the most work from the human body with the least strain and physical effort.

On the web pages linked below I have condensed Barne's set of principles and supplemented them with similar "Principles of Ergonomics."  The result is a small and more useful set of rules that fit most situations. This will help anyone who designs, supervises or works with repetitive operations. This is simple stuff, all about grasping, turning, lifting, placing, etc. Done once such motions are of little consequence; with hundreds or thousands of repetitions the costs in time, fatigue and, sadly, sometimes blood are often significant.

Website Articles Principles of Motion Economy Principles of Ergonomics Ergonomics In A Nutshell

Onsite Training Advance 5s Workcell Kaizen Event Workcell Design

While these principles are important for workstation and workcell designers, they are even more valuable when applied by operators and work teams. None of it is very complicated and knowledge of the principles combined with the feel of actually doing the work make them even more powerful. These are the people who know the details of the work, feel the strain in their muscles and are often under the most time pressure; they are also the people who pay a price when the principles are ignored.

If you are involved with repetitive work, I urge you to take a quick look at these pages. You may also be interested in our training for workcell and workstation design.  There are lot of tricks in this, along with some basic principles. You will be pleased with the results of our programs. Give me a call or send an email if you would like to talk further.

Best Regards,

Quarterman Lee

816-931-1414

Email Us at Strategos, Inc.