Part 1-
1. Communication is a key factor to successfully completing a task, especially if others are involved in the task completion. In an essay, discuss the items that can go wrong with a communication system. Discuss the elements of a communication system and what the ultimate impact might be due to some sort of failure.
2. The amount of information can sometimes hamper the outcome expected by the end user. In other words, clutter can hinder the intended message. One example of clutter (or too much information) is prescription-drug packaging. Explain why it is important for ergonomics professionals to understand the concept of clutter or "too much information".
3. Continuing to draw upon our examples highlighted in Unit I, Beth continues to develop headaches while at work. Remember, she is an administrative assistant and works in a new office building, which has produced significant odors relating to the combination of construction materials. And this is the presumed source of the headaches. Because this has become a workers compensation issue, you are asked to look into the employee's setup for her work station. Discuss this situation using both the feedback mechanisms and also the controlling mechanisms as they pertain to Beth's individual circumstance.
4. Beth, the administrative assistant, continues to have headaches. Using the ideas of positive feedback loops and negative feedback loops (control processes), comment on what Beth could do to relieve these headaches. The treatment options could include medications and how the employee responds to those, adjustment of the lighting within the work site, sound, smell, etc. Also comment on non-medicinal therapies that might be available for this employee.
Part 2-
This assignment involves completing a series of four exercises, and the purpose is for you to practice assessing workplace stressors, evaluating the regulatory environment, and evaluating controls within a workplace.
Exercise 1: Questionnaire and Interview Skills
For this exercise, place yourself in the shoes of someone who has been tasked to improve the workstation of an administrative assistant, like Beth. To practice your questionnaire and interview skills, develop a set of 10 questions that will allow you to learn more about the employee and her workstation in order to prevent any further ergonomics injuries.
Exercise 2: OSHA, FMCSA, and Controls
Prior to departing the truck terminal and after the walk-around inspection, Ben, the truck driver, has identified a problem, one that could lead to more dangerous problems for him while he is driving. He reports the problem to the terminal manager, who, afterward, informs Ben that the truck load must go out today and he must take his rig to make the delivery. After discussing this with the mechanic, Ben is told by the terminal manager that the repairs will be done upon his return and after the shipment has been delivered. In a 200-word essay, explain why Ben should not make the delivery with the problematic truck by addressing the OSHA guidelines and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) guidelines to defend your assertions. This question might require you to research the guidelines prior to formulating a response. Also, briefly address how the pressure from the manager impacts Ben's ability to successfully perform his job-what are the emotional and psychological implications from the manager's actions?
Exercise 3: Quality Control and Inspection
This exercise involves evaluating quality control and inspections, which apply to basically all occupational incidents. This is an opportunity for you to select an incident that interests you. In the online library or from a major credible news source on the Internet, locate a current news story or article where some sort of failure occurred. The incident should not be more than three years old. The purpose of this exercise is to specifically highlight the failure of the quality-control-and-inspection system. Also, how would you have prevented this incident (the failure) from occurring by using the proper quality-control-and-inspection system? Your response should be at least 200 words, while also containing the appropriate references and in-text citations.
Exercise 4: Recommending a Preventative Maintenance Program
Since managers and executives are so busy, it is not always easy for them to identify how spending money will actually save money. This exercise involves drafting a statement to your management team in order to persuade them to invest in a preventative maintenance program. Highlight an example of preventative maintenance in your current work environment. First, estimate the cost of the preventative maintenance and then compare it to the cost of not fixing the problem along with the other problems that might occur because of it. With at least 200 words, prepare a statement to the management staff of your company to persuade them to proceed with the expenditure of the money in a preventative mode.