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
A short time ago we realized that the average manufacturer had never
thought of his work in terms of fatigue. We could, therefore, expect
no fatigue eliminating devices, as he either had none to offer, or as
he did not realize what he had. Again and again, a manager will say,
in effect, “I am much interested in your museum, and should like to
send you something, but we have never given much thought to the subject
of fatigue elimination, and therefore, unfortunately, we have nothing
that we can send.” In many such cases, if we go through the plant, or
the factory, or the store, we find fatigue eliminating devices, and
immediately say, “There, that is just what we want.” Whereupon the
manager replies, “Oh, that. Sure enough it does eliminate fatigue. I
had never thought of it in that light. We have always had that.” Within
the next few days we add a specimen to our collection.
We have, perhaps, not sufficiently emphasized the fact that eliminating
fatigue means not only that we know the things that we lack, but also
that we appreciate and fully utilize the things that we have. It is
good practice to use what is on hand before laying in new devices.
There is waiting space, then, in the museum for any sort of device,
old or new, well-known or not known at all, that does, or will, or may
eliminate or overcome fatigue. There is an especially warm welcome
awaiting any such type of stool or chair. The older and more worn it is
the better, if it is still in working condition. There is a chance to
be a pioneer by exhibiting clothing that is artistic, inexpensive, and
appropriate for doing any type of work with less fatigue.
Types of Chairs and Their Uses.
We are fortunate in that, of the nine chairs exhibited, each represents
quite a different type. This illustrates the large field for chairs.
Chair No. 1 is designed for work to be done standing or sitting. This
is the ideal fatigue eliminating chair, as it allows of the most
scientific distribution of work and rest periods, and for the greatest
variation in working periods. The work for which this chair was devised
was the folding of handkerchiefs, work that had always been done
sitting. This chair is the result of accurate measurement, and is of
exactly that height that will permit the girl’s elbows to be at
the same distance from the work table when she is seated as when she is
standing. The back of the chair, like the backs of all chairs designed
for eliminating fatigue while working, is designed for work and not for
rest. The chair is provided with dome casters, which allow of its being
pushed away, or drawn back into position with the least amount of time
and effort possible. The worker on this chair has a foot-rest which is
a part of the working table.
[Illustration: FIG. 12
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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