Ergonomics is about the design of jobs, tools, equipment and the environment

The drawings below illustrate an example of a problem that can occur when ergonomics is not considered in the design process. The drawing on the left shows a lathe with a "normal" sized man standing next to it. The drawing on the right is the same lathe with a man having the body he would need to operate the lathe as it was designed. Because workers are not built this way, the "normal" worker would be required to bend over, move and reach to the right and left to operate this lathe. Certainly, not an ideal situation.