Skip to main content

Ergonomics in Social Work

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:6.00
Study Course Accepted:29.08.2024 11:14:39
Study Course Information
Course Code:LUSDK_109LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Sociology; Social Politics and Organisation of Social WorkTarget Audience:Social Welfare and Social Work
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Ženija Roja
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Rehabilitation
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 26a Anniņmuižas boulevard, socdkatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67061575
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)6Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures12
Classes (count)6Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes12
Total Contact Hours24
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)6Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures12
Classes (count)6Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes12
Total Contact Hours24
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic Ergonomics: Basics of Anatomy, Basics of Biomechanics, Health Promotion, Communication Psychology, Work Environment Risk Management.
Objective:
Develop an understanding and promote basic knowledge of ergonomics as a human-oriented science, adapting the working environment and working conditions to the worker, ergonomic risk analysis at work, health problems caused by ergonomic risks, preventive measures to prevent ergonomic risks. Course tasks: To develop skills to identify ergonomic risks in social work and to solve problems related to ergonomic risks; to develop the ability for students to constantly analyse the problems caused by ergonomic risks and to judge the severity of these risks by applying modern methods of assessment of these risks, as well as to evaluate various situations related to the ergonomics of the social work environment.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Ergonomics science of human relationships with work. The role of work in personality creation. Topicalities, national policies and international guidelines. Social and economic aspects of ergonomics.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Ergonomic working environment. Proactive approach and work environment planning.Classes2.00auditorium
3Ergonomics of the social work environment. Micro- and macro- ergonomics. Ergonomics of participation. Ergonomic interference.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Ergonomic analysis of the social work environment.Classes2.00auditorium
5Load ergonomics at work.Lectures2.00auditorium
6Workload ergonomics risk evaluation.Classes2.00auditorium
7Cognitive ergonomic risks in social work environment and their evaluation.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Organisational ergonomic work environment risks and assessment.Lectures1.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Ergonomics science of human relationships with work. The role of work in personality creation. Topicalities, national policies and international guidelines. Social and economic aspects of ergonomics.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Ergonomic working environment. Proactive approach and work environment planning.Classes2.00auditorium
3Ergonomics of the social work environment. Micro- and macro- ergonomics. Ergonomics of participation. Ergonomic interference.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Ergonomic analysis of the social work environment.Classes2.00auditorium
5Load ergonomics at work.Lectures2.00auditorium
6Workload ergonomics risk evaluation.Classes2.00auditorium
7Cognitive ergonomic risks in social work environment and their evaluation.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Organisational ergonomic work environment risks and assessment.Lectures1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
1. Ergonomic analysis of social work environment (presentation) - 4k/h. 2. In-depth research on ergonomic risks in the social work environment by reading literature and comparing it to the current situation in the selected organisation (report) - 6k/h. 3. Study on ergonomic risk assessment in social work environment, development of conclusions and practical recommendations in the state of social and economic situation (Presentation) - 6k/h.
Assessment Criteria:
40-69% 1. Difficulty to assess the ergonomic risks of social work, to explain their impact on employees. 2. Difficulty to perform ergonomic work environment risk assessment, poorly present topicalities in workplace ergonomics in the researched organisation. 3. Difficulty to scientifically justify the need for ergonomic risk assessment, poorly presented results. Unclearly defines preventive and protective measures to improve the situation. 70-89% 1. Knowledge of ergonomic work environment risk assessment, only a few ergonomic risk assessment methods are used in assessment, inadequately explain their impact on employees 2. Are able to partially evaluate the ergonomic risks of the work environment, present well. 3. Explain and present the obtained data within its competence. Are able to formulate preventive and protective measures. 90-100% 1. Fully aware of ergonomic risk assessment. Being able to freely assess ergonomic work environment risks using a variety of techniques and fully explain the impact of ergonomic risks on employees. 2. Freely perform ergonomic work environment risk assessment, freely present and manage the topic. 3. The scientifically substantiated and presented data on ergonomic risks of work environment, ergonomic risk assessment. The results are presented in pictures and tables, are easy to understand and clear. Preventive and protective measures are clearly formulated.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify ergonomic risks at work, analyse the results of ergonomic risk assessment, compare them in dynamics, compare identified problems in Latvia and the world, analyse the impact of ergonomic risks on the employee's quality of life.
Skills:Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge independently in order to identify and evaluate ergonomic risks at work, their impact on the employee, and will be able to evaluate the results obtained and interpret the reliability of the data. Students will be able to identify the most appropriate health promotion measures to develop the potential of human resources, protect the health of workers, and create a scientifically based basis for selecting the necessary preventive measures in accordance with the requirements of Latvian legislation and European Community directives, will be able to present the results in writing and orally to the industry, the public, also present the results and solutions at scientific and practical conferences. Will be able to manage the social resources of social work, forming the work of a professionally creative team in ensuring the quality of social services and achieving social goals in the community regarding ergonomics Will be able to make decisions and independently coordinate social work in emergencies and crisis situations related to ergonomics Will be able to perform social educational and pedagogical activities, participate in the training of social work specialists, informing about the importance of ergonomics at work.
Competencies:Students will be able to substantiate the need for ergonomic risk assessment within the framework of their competence in the promotion of the health of employees, will be able to explain the existing ergonomic risks of the work environment, interpret the obtained results of risk assessment, present the obtained results, and will be able to formulate the main preventive and protective measures.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Roja Ž., Kaļķis H. Cilvēkfaktors un ergonomika darbā. Rīga: Gūtenbergs druka, 2020. 293 lpp
2Kaļķis V., Roja Ž., Kaļķis H. Arodveselība un riski darbā. Rīga: Medicīnas apgāds. 2015. 534 lpp
3Shorrock S., Williams C. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Practice: Improving System Performance and Human. USA: CRC Press, 2016. 456 p.
4Roja Ž, I. Roja, H. Kaļķis. Ar darbu saistīto muskuļu skeleta un saistaudu sistēmas veselības traucējumi. Ergonomiskie risinājumi. Rīga: Latvijas Ergonomikas biedrība, 2016. 18 lpp
5Roja Ž., Roja I., Kaļķis H. Stress un vardarbība darbā. Ko darīt? Rīga: Latvijas Ergonomikas biedrība, 2016. 94. lpp
6Roja Ž., Kaļķis H., Roja I. Datorergonomika un veselības veicināšana darbā. Rīga: Latvijas Ergonomikas biedrība, 2018. 56 lpp
7Babris S., Kaļķis H., Pikss M., Sorokins V. Praktiskais LEAN. Jelgava: Jelgavas tipogrāfija, 2021. 321 lpp
Additional Reading
1Dul J., Weerdmeester B.A. Ergonomics for Beginners: A Quick Reference Guide, Taylor & Francis; Third Ed., 2008. 146 p.
2Eglīte M. Darba medicīna. RSU, Rīga, 2012. 800 lpp
3Roja Ž. Ergonomikas pamati. Rīga, SIA Drukātava, 2008. 190 lpp
4Babris S., Kaļķis H., Mūrnieks J., Piekuss U. LEAN risinājumi efektīvākam biznesam. Rīga: SIA “Madris”, 2016. 190. lpp
5Helander, M. A Guide to Human Factors and Ergonomics. 2-nd ed. CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group. 2006. 382 p.
6Workplace Safety and Health: Assessing Current Practices and Promoting Change in the Profession. Thomas D. Schneid. 2014. by CRC Press. 227 p.
7Kaļķis H. Biznesa ergonomikas vadība. Rīga: Gūtenbergs Druka. 2014. 155 lpp
8Ergonomic checkpoints. Practical and Easy to implement Solutions for Improving Safety, Health and Working Conditions. International Labour Office, Geneva, 2010. 110 p.
9Kaļķis V. Darba vides risku novērtēšanas metodes. Rīga, Latvijas izglītības fonds, 2008. 242 lpp
Other Information Sources
1www.ergonomika.lv
2www.osha.eu
3www.hse.com
4Journal: Applied Ergonomic (http://www.journals.elsevier.com/applied-ergonomics/)
5Journal: Work (http://www.iospress.nl/journal/work/)