When you hear the word ergonomics, you might think about comfortable sitting positions, proper desk height, or how to lift objects to avoid injury. However, ergonomics encompasses much more than that. The DSKE Lab is a learning space that examines how humans interact with their work, tools, technology, and environment to ensure that systems operate more safely, comfortably, effectively, and efficiently.

The DSKE Lab, or Work System Design and Ergonomics Laboratory, is located in the Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Islamic University of Indonesia (UII). This laboratory serves as a learning and research space where students can understand the relationship between humans and work systems while developing solutions oriented toward human needs.

Learning at the UII DSKE Lab: From Understanding the Human Body to Designing Work Systems

Before designing a work system, students must first understand who will use the system humans. Therefore, learning begins with an understanding of the human body, its capabilities, and its limitations.

Through Anatomy and Physiology, students learn about various systems in the human body, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems, as well as physiology and metabolism. Learning also covers the five senses, how humans receive and process information, and the concept of human error. This understanding forms the basis for examining how physical conditions and human capabilities can influence work activities.

After understanding human characteristics, students then study ergonomics. At this stage, learning begins to focus on the relationship between humans, their work, and their environment. Topics include anthropometry, human physiology, physical and mental workload, the physical work environment, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and cognitive ergonomics. Students also study displays and controls, reaction speed, manual material handling, and an introduction to macro ergonomics.

This understanding is then applied to the Measurement and Design of Work Systems. Students learn how work systems can be analyzed and designed based on data. The material includes work measurement methods such as time study and work sampling, motion economy, work maps, indirect labor measurement, tool design, physical work environment design, and usability.

At this stage, students do not stop at the analysis process. They also learn to implement and evaluate work system designs. One way to apply this knowledge is through a major assignment, which can then be developed and presented at events such as an expo.

Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health (OHS) aspect complements students’ understanding of how work systems can operate safely. Students learn basic OHS concepts, potential hazards, risks, causes of workplace accidents, and various hazard identification and analysis methods, such as JSA (Job Safety Analysis), HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control), HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study), FTA (Fault Tree Analysis), and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis). Learning also covers risk assessment, hazard control, OHS management systems, accident investigation, and the importance of communication and safety culture.

Thus, learning in the DSKE field is not limited to a single aspect. Students learn to understand people, analyze jobs, design systems, and ensure the safety of those systems for their users.

Learning Through Practicals, Simulations, and Technology

One of the things that makes learning in the laboratory engaging is the opportunity to connect theory with hands-on experience. The DSKE Lab has various facilities to support student learning, practical work, and research activities.

In addition to classrooms and assistant rooms, there is a tool room that can be used for studying and developing various academic activities. The DSKE Lab also has a Driving Simulator that can be used to simulate driving activities.

There is also a climate room that allows students to study the physical work environment in a controlled setting. Various conditions, such as lighting, temperature, noise, and vibration, can be incorporated into learning activities and experiments. This facility allows students to more clearly understand how environmental conditions affect humans during activities.

Technology is also an important part of learning and research activities. The DSKE Lab has various devices, including an eye tracker, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Muse Headband EEG, 5-in-1 environmental meter, spirometer, and Oculus virtual reality equipment.

These tools help students collect data from various aspects of human behavior and environmental conditions. For example, an eye tracker can be used to study visual attention, while devices such as GSR and EEG can support research related to physiological responses and human activities.

The use of these technologies demonstrates that ergonomics is not limited to direct observation. Technological advancements allow for increasingly diverse approaches to measuring and researching human behavior and responses.

From the Laboratory to Solving Real-Life Problems

The knowledge learned in the DSKE Lab is closely related to everyday life, from uncomfortable chairs and fatigue caused by repetitive work to difficulties understanding applications and noisy, hot, or poorly lit work environments. Through an ergonomics perspective, students learn to identify problems, understand their causes, take measurements, and design solutions that meet human needs.

This is crucial for Industrial Engineering students because a good system must not only be effective and efficient but also consider human capabilities, limitations, safety, and comfort. This becomes especially relevant in the era of Society 5.0, when technology is increasingly integrated into everyday life and needs to be designed to work in harmony with humans.

This experience was also felt directly by one of the DSKE Lab alumni, Devoni, who is now working as a QHSE professional at PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk.

“As an alumnus now working as a QHSE, I’ve experienced firsthand how my experience at the DSKE Lab has significantly contributed to my career. The learning and experience I gained as a laboratory assistant are closely tied to my current position, as the disciplines fall within the same field.”

Through learning and research, the DSKE Lab provides a space for students to understand that humans are a vital part of every system. Ultimately, the goal of ergonomics is to create systems that are not only effective and efficient but also safe, healthy, comfortable, and optimized for humans.

Kaila Bilbina M.S