work simplification (1)

©2005 Neil Squire Society Updated: February 17, 2005

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Work SimplificationWork Simplification&&

Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation


Session AgendaSession AgendaIn this presentation we will coverIn this presentation we will cover

the following topics:the following topics:

What is “Work Simplification”?What is “Work Simplification”?

What is “Energy Conservation”?What is “Energy Conservation”?

How can this help me?How can this help me?

Ideas for around the houseIdeas for around the house

Workspace ConsiderationsWorkspace Considerations

What is “Work Simplification”?What is “Work Simplification”?

What is “Energy Conservation”?What is “Energy Conservation”?

How can this help me?How can this help me?

Ideas for around the houseIdeas for around the house



Work SimplificationWork SimplificationWork SimplificationWork Simplification



In the workplace:In the workplace: A system to analyze work and A system to analyze work and

reduce unnecessary or duplicate reduce unnecessary or duplicate activitiesactivities

Developed in 1921 by Frank and Developed in 1921 by Frank and Lillian GilbrethLillian Gilbreth



Every task of a job is represented Every task of a job is represented by a symbol and presented in a by a symbol and presented in a flow chartflow chart



The chart is analyzed for duplication The chart is analyzed for duplication of work and unnecessary tasksof work and unnecessary tasks



A better method is developed to get A better method is developed to get the job donethe job done



Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of workDivide the task into smaller, more Divide the task into smaller, more

manageable componentsmanageable componentsFind better ways of doing a task Find better ways of doing a task Find easier ways of doing a taskFind easier ways of doing a task

Goals:Goals:


Energy ConservationEnergy ConservationEnergy ConservationEnergy Conservation



Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits



Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits

Be realistic about what you can Be realistic about what you can accomplishaccomplish

Don’t abuse your good daysDon’t abuse your good daysTake frequent rest breaksTake frequent rest breaks

Be realistic about what you can Be realistic about what you can accomplishaccomplish

Don’t abuse your good daysDon’t abuse your good daysTake frequent rest breaksTake frequent rest breaks



Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress



Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress

Prioritize your “To Do” listPrioritize your “To Do” list““Let go” of unnecessary workLet go” of unnecessary workEat healthily and exerciseEat healthily and exerciseDon’t over-stretch or strainDon’t over-stretch or strainTake breaksTake breaks

Prioritize your “To Do” listPrioritize your “To Do” list““Let go” of unnecessary workLet go” of unnecessary workEat healthily and exerciseEat healthily and exerciseDon’t over-stretch or strainDon’t over-stretch or strainTake breaksTake breaks



Work efficientlyWork efficiently



Work efficientlyWork efficiently

Use ergonomic principles in all Use ergonomic principles in all your activities, not just your activities, not just computer workcomputer work

Have all required materials Have all required materials within easy reachwithin easy reach

Think safetyThink safety

Use ergonomic principles in all Use ergonomic principles in all your activities, not just your activities, not just computer workcomputer work

Have all required materials Have all required materials within easy reachwithin easy reach

Think safetyThink safety



Pace yourselfPace yourself



Pace yourselfPace yourself

Know what speed is best for youKnow what speed is best for youUse pulse rate and shortness of Use pulse rate and shortness of

breath as guidelinesbreath as guidelinesPlan your day to match your Plan your day to match your

energy levelsenergy levels

Know what speed is best for youKnow what speed is best for youUse pulse rate and shortness of Use pulse rate and shortness of

breath as guidelinesbreath as guidelinesPlan your day to match your Plan your day to match your

energy levelsenergy levels



BreatheBreathe



BreatheBreathe

Breathe deeplyBreathe deeplyFocus on your body rhythm as a Focus on your body rhythm as a

means of relaxation and restmeans of relaxation and restUse pursed-lip breathing as a Use pursed-lip breathing as a

means of controlling shortness means of controlling shortness of breathof breath

Breathe deeplyBreathe deeplyFocus on your body rhythm as a Focus on your body rhythm as a

means of relaxation and restmeans of relaxation and restUse pursed-lip breathing as a Use pursed-lip breathing as a

means of controlling shortness means of controlling shortness of breathof breath



Recognize your energy limitsRecognize your energy limits Reduce your physical stressReduce your physical stress Work efficientlyWork efficiently Pace yourselfPace yourself BreatheBreathe


CombineCombine






Work SimplificationWork Simplification & &Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation


Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of work and and recognize your energy limitsrecognize your energy limits




Reduce the amount of workReduce the amount of work and and recognize your energy limitsrecognize your energy limits

Eliminate unnecessary tasksEliminate unnecessary tasksCombine or eliminate steps of a taskCombine or eliminate steps of a taskDelegate tasks Delegate tasks Use professional services for some Use professional services for some

tasks tasks

Eliminate unnecessary tasksEliminate unnecessary tasksCombine or eliminate steps of a taskCombine or eliminate steps of a taskDelegate tasks Delegate tasks Use professional services for some Use professional services for some

tasks tasks


Find better ways of doing a taskFind better ways of doing a task and and work efficientlywork efficiently




Find better ways of doing a taskFind better ways of doing a task and and work efficientlywork efficiently

Organize your work areasOrganize your work areasStore frequently used items within Store frequently used items within

easy reach of the work area easy reach of the work area Gather all items needed before Gather all items needed before

beginning a task beginning a task Think ergonomicsThink ergonomics

Organize your work areasOrganize your work areasStore frequently used items within Store frequently used items within

easy reach of the work area easy reach of the work area Gather all items needed before Gather all items needed before

beginning a task beginning a task Think ergonomicsThink ergonomics




Break a job into smaller tasksBreak a job into smaller tasks and and pace yourselfpace yourself

… continued





Work at a steady, moderate pace Work at a steady, moderate pace Plan frequent, short rest breaks Plan frequent, short rest breaks

rather than one long break rather than one long break Alternate active and quiet tasksAlternate active and quiet tasksRest Rest beforebefore becoming fatigued becoming fatigued

Work at a steady, moderate pace Work at a steady, moderate pace Plan frequent, short rest breaks Plan frequent, short rest breaks

rather than one long break rather than one long break Alternate active and quiet tasksAlternate active and quiet tasksRest Rest beforebefore becoming fatigued becoming fatigued

… continued





Arrange tasks so that the more Arrange tasks so that the more physical work is done when your physical work is done when your energy level is highestenergy level is highest

Distribute heavy tasks over Distribute heavy tasks over several days several days

Alternate light and heavy tasks Alternate light and heavy tasks

Arrange tasks so that the more Arrange tasks so that the more physical work is done when your physical work is done when your energy level is highestenergy level is highest

Distribute heavy tasks over Distribute heavy tasks over several days several days

Alternate light and heavy tasks Alternate light and heavy tasks




Find easier ways of doing a taskFind easier ways of doing a task and and decrease your physical stressdecrease your physical stress





Sit to perform tasks Sit to perform tasks Keep your back straightKeep your back straightSlide or push objects instead of liftingSlide or push objects instead of liftingUse a cart or basket to carry itemsUse a cart or basket to carry itemsAvoid over-stretching, twisting, Avoid over-stretching, twisting,

stooping, or strainingstooping, or straining

Sit to perform tasks Sit to perform tasks Keep your back straightKeep your back straightSlide or push objects instead of liftingSlide or push objects instead of liftingUse a cart or basket to carry itemsUse a cart or basket to carry itemsAvoid over-stretching, twisting, Avoid over-stretching, twisting,

stooping, or strainingstooping, or straining





Use proper work heightsUse proper work heightsUse the tool that fits the jobUse the tool that fits the jobUse lightweight toolsUse lightweight toolsUse power tools wherever possibleUse power tools wherever possible

Use proper work heightsUse proper work heightsUse the tool that fits the jobUse the tool that fits the jobUse lightweight toolsUse lightweight toolsUse power tools wherever possibleUse power tools wherever possible




How can this How can this help me?help me?

How can this How can this help me?help me?


Case StudyCase Study

Anna:Anna: Hired as a part-time Hired as a part-time

accountantaccountant Needs attendant care in Needs attendant care in

morning and at nightmorning and at night Active social lifeActive social life Limited energy Limited energy

(max. 8 hours per day)(max. 8 hours per day)



Anna: Anna: Recognize her energy limitsRecognize her energy limits 20 hours work per20 hours work per

week - maximumweek - maximum Some of her work canSome of her work can

be done from homebe done from home Schedule that matchesSchedule that matches

her energy levelsher energy levels Consider personal care and transit Consider personal care and transit

time when setting scheduletime when setting schedule



Anna: Anna: Reduce the amount of work at homeReduce the amount of work at home Delegate householdDelegate household

choreschores Change or increase Change or increase

attendant hoursattendant hours ““Let go” of unnecessaryLet go” of unnecessary

taskstasks



Anna: Anna: Work efficientlyWork efficiently Setup a home officeSetup a home office Work materials shouldWork materials should

be within easy reachbe within easy reach Analyze the job tasks toAnalyze the job tasks to

find new simpler waysfind new simpler waysto do the workto do the work

Discuss job sharing and re-distribution Discuss job sharing and re-distribution of tasksof tasks



Anna: Anna: Break job into smaller tasksBreak job into smaller tasks Decide which parts ofDecide which parts of

the job can be donethe job can be doneat homeat home

Set priorities for today’sSet priorities for today’sworkwork

Spread housework Spread housework throughout the weekthroughout the week



Anna: Anna: Pace HerselfPace Herself Schedule the detailedSchedule the detailed

work for high energywork for high energytimestimes

Schedule the repetitiveSchedule the repetitivework for low energy work for low energy timestimes

Take regular breaksTake regular breaks Schedule time for social activitiesSchedule time for social activities



Anna: Anna: Find easier ways to do a taskFind easier ways to do a task Research simplerResearch simpler

accounting systemsaccounting systems Sort papers before filingSort papers before filing Robot vacuum cleanerRobot vacuum cleaner Set up automatic Set up automatic

payments for household payments for household billsbills



Anna: Anna: Decrease her physical stressDecrease her physical stress Set up your work spaceSet up your work space

at home and at officeat home and at officeergonomicallyergonomically

Use AT for computerUse AT for computeraccessaccess

Move your computer onMove your computer ontop of the desk so you top of the desk so you don’t need to stretch to reach itdon’t need to stretch to reach it



Anna:Anna: Recognize energy limitsRecognize energy limits Reduce her work at homeReduce her work at home Work efficientlyWork efficiently Break into smaller tasksBreak into smaller tasks Pace herself Pace herself Look for easier waysLook for easier ways Decrease her physical stressDecrease her physical stress


Ideas for Ideas for Around the HouseAround the House

Ideas for Ideas for Around the HouseAround the House


KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchen



SSit on a stool at a table or pull-out cutting it on a stool at a table or pull-out cutting board when preparing foodboard when preparing food




SSlide, don’t lift, heavy pots across a lide, don’t lift, heavy pots across a countercounter





AArrange storage so that frequently used rrange storage so that frequently used items are the most accessibleitems are the most accessible






SStack similar items togethertack similar items together






Stack similar items togetherStack similar items together UUse se a a tea trolley, or apron with large tea trolley, or apron with large

pockets, to transport itemspockets, to transport items


HousecleaningHousecleaningHousecleaningHousecleaning



UUse long-handled aids to minimize se long-handled aids to minimize bendingbending




PPut furniture on castors so it is easy to ut furniture on castors so it is easy to pushpush





PPut cleaning bucket on wheeled ut cleaning bucket on wheeled platformplatform






FFill ill buckets buckets with a pitcherwith a pitcher






FFill ill buckets buckets with a pitcherwith a pitcher TTip ip buckets buckets to emptyto empty


Workspace Workspace ConsiderationsConsiderations

Workspace Workspace ConsiderationsConsiderations


Reach EnvelopeReach EnvelopeReach EnvelopeReach Envelope



TThings you use hings you use frequently should be frequently should be within the reach within the reach envelope of your envelope of your forearmsforearms



TThings you use hings you use frequently should be frequently should be within the reach within the reach envelope of your envelope of your forearmsforearms

TThings used less hings used less frequently should be frequently should be within the reach of your within the reach of your full armfull arm



OneOne way to expand the reach way to expand the reach envelope is to use a workstation envelope is to use a workstation with a cutoutwith a cutout


StandingStandingStandingStanding



WhenWhen standing at a work standing at a work surface, put one foot on a surface, put one foot on a footrestfootrest



WhenWhen standing at a work standing at a work surface, put one foot on a surface, put one foot on a footrestfootrest

ThisThis helps to maintain helps to maintain proper spinal column proper spinal column alignmentalignment


Reaching into ContainersReaching into ContainersReaching into ContainersReaching into Containers



ReachingReaching into containers can cause into containers can cause shoulder and arm problemsshoulder and arm problems



ReachingReaching into containers can cause into containers can cause shoulder and arm problemsshoulder and arm problems

LoweringLowering and tilting and tilting the container can the container can alleviate many of alleviate many of these problemsthese problems


CarryingCarryingCarryingCarrying



HandholdsHandholds on boxes on boxes reduce the amount of reduce the amount of exertion needed to carryexertion needed to carry



HandholdsHandholds on boxes on boxes reduce the amount of reduce the amount of exertion needed to carryexertion needed to carry

CarryCarry the item close to the item close to your body to reduce your body to reduce postural stressespostural stresses


Uneven SurfacesUneven SurfacesUneven SurfacesUneven Surfaces



AvoidAvoid repetitive tasks that require repetitive tasks that require moving between uneven surfacesmoving between uneven surfaces



AvoidAvoid repetitive tasks that require repetitive tasks that require moving between uneven surfacesmoving between uneven surfaces

RearrangeRearrange the work so that the items are the work so that the items are on the same levelon the same level


PositioningPositioningPositioningPositioning



PositioningPositioning of items of items is crucialis crucial




InIn first picture the first picture the cylinders are too cylinders are too high, resulting inhigh, resulting in hunched shouldershunched shoulders and and winged elbowswinged elbows




InIn first picture the first picture the cylinders are too cylinders are too high, resulting inhigh, resulting in hunched shouldershunched shoulders and and winged elbowswinged elbows

The sThe second picture shows a neutral econd picture shows a neutral positionposition


Static LoadStatic LoadStatic LoadStatic Load



HoldingHolding something in the same position something in the same position for a long timefor a long time




PPicture to right shows an icture to right shows an adaptation to avoid writer’s adaptation to avoid writer’s crampcramp




PPicture to right shows an icture to right shows an adaptation to avoid writer’s adaptation to avoid writer’s crampcramp

AAnchoring nchoring aa part, such as with a vice, part, such as with a vice, eliminates the need eliminates the need to hold itto hold it


Reduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure PointsReduce Pressure Points



Watch out for places where your body Watch out for places where your body contacts a hard surfacecontacts a hard surface




Leaning your forearms Leaning your forearms against a sharp edge against a sharp edge produces a pressure produces a pressure pointpoint




Leaning your forearms Leaning your forearms against a sharp edge against a sharp edge produces a pressure produces a pressure pointpoint

KKnees or thighs rubbing nees or thighs rubbing on the desk surface is on the desk surface is another common problemanother common problem


ClearanceClearanceClearanceClearance



Avoid clutter in Avoid clutter in your workspaceyour workspace



Avoid clutter in Avoid clutter in your workspaceyour workspace

Arrange your Arrange your materials to provide materials to provide easy accesseasy access


Adequate LightingAdequate LightingAdequate LightingAdequate Lighting



Eye fatigue can result from improper Eye fatigue can result from improper lightinglighting




Use task lighting to Use task lighting to reduce squinting and reduce squinting and other eye strainother eye strain




Use task lighting to Use task lighting to reduce squinting and reduce squinting and other eye strainother eye strain

Reduce glare on Reduce glare on computer screenscomputer screens


SummarySummary

Combining Work Simplification Combining Work Simplification and Energy Conservationand Energy Conservation

Ideas for around the homeIdeas for around the home


Combining Work Simplification Combining Work Simplification and Energy Conservationand Energy Conservation

Ideas for around the homeIdeas for around the home



Wrap UpWrap Up

Thank you for attending.

work simplification (1)

Documents

duplication of work

unnecessary tasksof

energy limitsrecognize

better method

taskfind easier ways

following topics

duplicate activitiesactivities

session agendasession