An increased focus on improving health, safety, performance and productivity on board ships and offshore assets has resulted in the publication a new Guide that features specialized ergonomic notations. The Guide for Ergonomic Notations was developed to help ABS clients and the wider industry to work toward best practices in ergonomics that are in step with regulations such as the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (ILO MLC).
The Guide features four notations, Ergonomic Topsides Design (ERGO TOP), Ergonomic Enclosed Space Design (ERGO ES), Ergonomic Valves Design (ERGO VALVE) and Ergonomic Maintenance Design (ERGO MAINT).
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline concerned with understanding interactions between humans and other elements of a system and is a profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design with the goal of optimizing human well-being and overall system performance.
The notations are relatively straightforward in content. ERGO TOP assesses access compatibility between crew and topside structures, including external stairs, ramps, ladders, platforms and other topside structures associated with crew mobility and task performance. ERGO ES covers compatibility inside the skin of the vessel below the main deck of either a ship or offshore structure.
ERGO VALVE considers access, orientation, and use of operating and maintenance valves with regard to accessibility and ease of identification and use. ERGO MAINT is directed at access and use of maintenance locations (spaces, platforms and access aids) with regard to maintenance safety and ease of accessibility.
The ILO MLC, which came into force in August 2013, puts in place a requirement for the owner or operator to provide healthy and safe working conditions for the crew. Together with the various ABS Guides for habitability, the ergonomic notations fulfil many of the ILO MLC requirements by improving the safety and physical design of work spaces.
To drive better ergonomics in the shipbuilding process, ABS also recently completed a joint development project with Samsung Heavy Industries of South Korea to identify practicable ergonomic criteria for maritime assets and to augment ABS’ suite of ergonomic and safety guidance. It also provides the yard’s in-house human factors design guide by identifying areas of opportunity and improvement.
As the benefits of ergonomic design become better understood, McSweeney says, the potential exists to extend the discipline further.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
