Ergonomics

Second Blog Entry:


Just what is ergonomics?, Caulton and Dickson 2007, state that ergonomics is about "constantly make slight invisible adjustments to an activity to adapt to the needs of those taking part and ensure that it continues to work for its intended purpose" (p.93).

Absolutely, but let's keep things simple. Ergonomics is also the science of making things comfy and considering the person/activity and environment together. All of this makes things efficient.

This snippet below is from literature called, The craft room; What’s going on in there? by Occupational Therapist Tess Bowden and has been retrieved from a paper studied last year called Adaptive Living – Occupation.

“One of my colleagues had prepared for my arrival by ordering some craft supplies so I could start straight away. I set a regular time for the group and based it on activities that people wanted to try. The craft room was an internal space with only small skylight windows for natural light and I wanted to make the environment comfortable, inspiring and welcoming!” (p.14).

This has shown me the considerations that are required to provide the necessary tools, space and opportunities for social interaction to be successful. All of these factors are Ergonomics! 

Let’s now relate this to my activity of hebel sculpture.

·         All of the  resources had been purchased recently

·         I had scheduled a two hours slot to complete a project and the weather was favourable

·         All tools and products that I would need were arranged within easy reach

·         I altered my position slightly during this project to keep the sun on my back

·         I used a carpet mat to stand on to eliminate the cold permeating my feet

·         I alternated the use of the tools to reduce any repetitive strain or blister’s

·         The radio was playing and the family were occupied

By altering where I stand, the equipment I use and by considering all of the above, I have completed a sculpture within an ergonomic way - comfortably and efficiently!

                                                                        C.Tate 2011

References: 

Caulton R, Dickson R (2007) What's going on? Finding an explanation for what we do. In: J Creek, A Lawson-    Porter, eds. Contemporary issues in occupational therapy: reasoning and reflection. Chichester: John Wiley, 87-114.

Bowden, T. 2000. The craft room: What’s going on in there? Taken from: Caulton, R.F. (Ed). (2003). The best of occupation 1993-2003. Dunedin: Rogan McIndoe Print Ltd.

Semester Two

Hi and welcome back to Participation in Occupation 2

First Blog entry:

Mindfulness

Practical Considerations

                                                     C.Tate 2009        
                                                      

This semester we will be exploring participation in occupation and the needs that this meets.  So in the following blogs I will be talking about an activity in terms of its mindfulness, ergonomics, ambiance, affordances and practical considerations and using a topic that I regularly participate in....Hebel Sculpture.

This is a man made product which looks like a concrete block though it is half its weight. It is made from sand, concrete and lime and it is aerated so it looks somewhat like pumice. Above is a sculpture I was commissioned to make.

Words that come to mind when I sculpt with hebel?
Relaxation,
Me time,
Productivity,
Sunshine,
Planning,
Fun,
Gifts/Presents to name but a few.

Occupational Therapy eyes:

When considering this activity of doing hebel sculpture through my OT eyes these words spring to mind: planning, sequencing, fine and gross motor skills, relaxation, purposeful/meaningful group and individual activity to name but a few.

But what is mindfulness?
Mindfulness refers to being “completely in touch with and aware of the present moment, as well as taking a non-evaluative and non-judgmental approach to your inner experience” (about.com).

Take a look at this clip to get an understanding of just what mindfulness is.

http://youtu.be/HCnB5i0ToUc
 

Creating mindfully: what would help or hinder me to sculpt?

The weather, I always make the most of the sunshine and therefore the activity happens, I love being in the sun and especially with it on my back,

Distractions could alter the way I work at the hebel, my family could be a possible distraction but they respect that this is my time or wait, time and products available or otherwise would definitely hinder me from creating a sculpture mindfully too.

Practical Considerations:

“Practical considerations take note of the objects and tools necessary to engage successfully in occupations” (Christiansen & Townsend, 2004). I could not do my sculpture without being set up and organized.

Additional Information:

It's a weekend morning which means I'm not needed anywhere, it’s warm and sunny and the family are occupied. Of course there's always some studying to be done but not this morning, it’s time to be creative!

To the shed I go to retrieve the tools, hebel block, saw bench and the box with the dremel kit, sandpaper and turn the radio on.

I lay a carpet mat on the ground and place my back to the sun, glorious heat is penetrating my jumper. The project I have in mind today is one I have made a few times already but I never create exactly the same each time so it's always exciting to see how the sculpture evolves. I also have a person in mind for this piece and it needs to be completed this morning.

References: 

Christiansen, C. H. & Townsend, E. A. (2004).  An introduction to occupation.  In C. H. Christiansen & E. A. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living (pp. 1-28).  New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education, Inc.

http://ptsd.about.com/od/glossary/g/Mind_def.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCnB5i0ToUc&feature=youtu.be