ReseaRch MethoD · synthesis / analysis techniqUe 33 ergonomic Analysis Ergonomic analysis provides an assessment of tools, equipment, devices, workstations, workplaces, or environments, to optimize the fit, safety, and comfort of use by people. ergonomic analysis is performed as an evaluation of products or environments currently in use to suggest improvements through corrective measures such as adaptations, adjustment, or equip- ment replacement, or to inspire redesign. It may be conducted as a predesign analysis, through the evaluation of comparable products or systems, or utilizing human studies, literature, and standards, to establish ergonomic criteria for new design. Five interrelated criteria commonly used in ergonomic analysis are size, strength, reach, clearance, and posture, 1 ranging in scale from micro (finger, hand, tool) to macro (limb, body, environment). Size Anthropometry is the systematic measurement of people, used in the evaluation of existing tools for size appropriateness, and for designing new tools and systems according to human scale. 2 Strength The amount of manual force needed for effective use of products and systems encom- passes the range of human criteria from finger strength in trigger-based actions, to hand strength for gripping and force requirements, and limb, torso, and body strength for tasks such as lifting. Reach At a micro level, reach refers to the span of the hand, measured as the distance between touch points in tool and equipment design, establishing grip requirements. At a macro level, reach is used to 1. Tannen, rob. "Crimping Tools: An ergonomic review of the State-of-the-Art." Whitepaper for Thomas & Betts, June 2009. See also: http: www.designingforhumans.com/ idsa/2010/06/ergonomic-analysis-for-tool- redesign.html 2. extensive data sets of human dimensions are available in print and online. In design, dreyfuss and Associates is credited as the authoritative resource for human anthropometric data, stemming from the landmark text the measure of man published in 1959, and updated as the measure of man and woman, first published in 1993. See: Tilley, Alvin r., and Henry dreyfuss Associates. the measure of man and woman.