Syllabus 2008/2009 MAM203

Syllabus academic year 2008/2009
(Created 2008-07-17.)

WORKING ENVIRONMENT, BASIC COURSE

MAM203

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: G1 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. MAM203 overlap following cours/es: MAM070, MAM095, MAMA01, MAM070, MAM095 och MAMA01. Optional for: A4, D3, E3, F3, M3, N3. Course coordinator: Lars-Göran Swensson, lars-goran.swensson@design.lth.se, Ergonomi och aerosolteknologi. Assessment: For a passing grade the student must actively participate in the obligatory portions (lectures, group exercises, study visits, oral presentations) as well as receive a passing grade on written reports. The introductory PBL (Problem Based Learning) portions and related written report can be substituted by a written test. Further information: The following types of instruction are included: a small number of lectures, a series of problem-based exercises in which the PBL approach is applied (group size 6-10), a workplace/industry related group project (group size 3-4). Home page: http://www.eat.lth.se.

Aim
The aim of the course is for students to:

acquire fundamental knowledge that will enable them to consider work science aspects in their future places of work.
understand the interaction of work environment factors of a technological, economic, medical and psychological nature.
acquire basic skills in identifying and solving work science problems in existing settings as well as in the design of new work organizations, jobs and workplaces.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

1) Report on sound/noise with respect to:

· general concepts and theories used to describe and analyse work environments

· how people and work are affected

· definitions of magnitude, their measurement and evaluation

· optimal levels for comfort and how prospective limits are specified

· organizational and technical principles for solving problems

2) Report on vibrations with respect to the same 5 criteria.

3) Report on lighting with respect to the same 5 criteria.

4) Report on thermal climate with respect to the same 5 criteria.

5) Report on non-ionizing radiation with respect to the same 5 criteria.

6) Report on chemical health risks with respect to the same 5 criteria.

7) Report on physical ergonomics with respect to the same 5 criteria.

8) Report on risks for accidents with respect to the same 5 criteria.

9) Report on psychological and social aspects (motivation, self-control, influence, work management climate, stimulation, commitment, camaraderie, job requirements, strain, groups, group process, power, conflicts, mental health) with respect to the same 5 criteria.

10) Describe how combinations of factors influence people and work.

11) Describe different work organization models (characteristics, history, organizational structure, management, cooperation).

12) Describe how work environment is regulated according to labour market legislation, regulations and contracts.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Systematically survey, analyse and suggest improvements in existing work environments as well as design new work organizations, jobs and workplaces with respect to:

health risks
conditions that promote health
criteria for comfort, satisfaction and personal development
different production conditions and demands

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Present an oral and written report of the work carried out.

Contents
Physical environmental factors (noise, vibration, lighting, climate, chemical hazards). Ergonomics and the risk of accidents. Psychology and social aspects. Management. Labour legislation and agreements. Design of working environments. Technical measures. The course consists of a few lectures, a series of exercises to which the Problem-Based Learning approach is applied as well as a workplace-related project including: study visits, a survey and documentation of a work environment, a proposal of suggested improvements, and the presentation and defence of a seminar report.

Literature
Bohgard M, ed, Ericson M, Karlsson S, Lövsund P, Odenrick P: Arbete Människa Teknik. Arbetarskyddsnämnden, 2005
Remaining course literature will be announced at the beginning of the course.