9990 · 4.4.1
Physical work conditions flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Physical work conditions (syllabus 4.4.1). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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Ergonomics?
Designing work, equipment, and environment to fit human physical and cognitive capabilities — reduces strain and error.
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Effect of workplace noise?
Impairs concentration and increases stress; moderate masking noise can help privacy in open offices but hurts complex tasks.
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Lighting and performance?
Natural light improves mood and alertness; poor lighting causes eye strain, fatigue, and errors.
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Open-plan advantages?
Easier communication, lower cost, flexible layout.
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Open-plan disadvantages?
Distraction, reduced privacy, illness spread, lower satisfaction for focus-heavy work.
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Temperature effects?
Extremes reduce productivity — too hot causes fatigue; too cold increases discomfort and error rates.
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What is the primary goal of physical ergonomics?
To design workplaces, products, and systems to fit the people who use them, optimising human well-being and overall system performance by reducing physical strain and risk of injury.
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According to research, what type of noise is most disruptive to cognitive performance?
Unpredictable, uncontrollable, and intermittent noise is more disruptive than continuous, predictable noise, especially for complex tasks requiring high levels of concentration.
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What is 'lux'?
A unit of illuminance, measuring the amount of light falling on a surface. Different tasks require different lux levels for optimal performance and safety (e.g., detailed technical drawing requires more lux than a corridor).
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Define 'Sick Building Syndrome' (SBS).
A condition where building occupants experience acute health effects that appear linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. It is often related to poor ventilation and indoor air quality.
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What is the 'Hawthorne Effect' and how might it relate to studies on physical work conditions?
The alteration of behaviour by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed. In studies on lighting or temperature, productivity might improve simply because workers know they are being studied, not because of the environmental change itself.