Fatigue study : $b the elimination of humanity's greatest unnecessary waste. A first step in motion studyGilbreth, Lillian Moller
Science
Fatigue study : $b the elimination of humanity's greatest unnecessary waste. A first step in motion study
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller
Fatigue; Industrial efficiency; Motion study
First, in describing the worker, there are several possible methods of
obtaining valuable information. One is by observing him. A second is
by talking with him. Before using either of these, it is necessary to
see what records of him are already in the hands of the management.
There will probably be some information in the employment bureau, if
an employment bureau exists; if not, the man who hired him may have
some data concerning him. Usually this will save the worker’s time
in answering questions. It is well to know as much as possible about
the worker’s life history and home conditions,--this especially that
one may understand whether he goes to work refreshed or tired in the
morning.
The procedure may be as follows:
1. Record the man’s name, age, birthplace, preparation, experience,
and fitness. These last will all be a help in determining the
percentage of fatigue.
2. Record the man’s physical characteristics, as far as can be
observed; such as, size, strength, skill, strong points, and weak
points.
3. Record, as closely as possible, the man’s behaviour, as indicating
his mental condition. To be specific, note whether he seems interested
in the work. Note his habits of doing the work,--whether he does the
work the same way every time, or whether he varies in his methods.
Note his degree of ability to learn quickly. Note his power of
concentrating attention. Note his degree of contentment with the work.
The degree of detail with which this notation may be made by an amateur
doing the work depends largely upon his training in psychology.
Second, in recording working conditions:
1. Record those things that affect all workers in the group. These are
the length of working day, condition of lighting, heating, cooling,
and ventilating; fire protection; safety protection as it affects
all,--this to include protection from dust, lint, or any substance
which might affect health.
2. Record the conditions that affect the individual worker:--places
of the work; the work bench or table or other device for holding the
work; the chair, foot rails or rests, or other device for affording
rest to the body or some part of the body; the material worked on and
its placing; the tools or other devices by which the work is done; the
clothing of the worker.
3. Record the results of the work:--the average amount of output; the
hours of the working day when most fatigue seems to exist. Record
which conditions observed are the result of work having been done by
the management, and which are the result of work having been done by
the individual worker.
If a general appearance of fatigue seems to occur at any time, make
special notes of all attending conditions of every kind. Note anything
that is particularly good or particularly bad.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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