WELCOME TO THE

COURSE
WORK STUDY
NITJ

1
 INTRODUCTION
With increasing complexities of the
technological world,need to simplify the work
system has been increasing day by day.
Work study is an area of knowledge that
addresses the problem of work simplification
with the basic objectives of

1. PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT, and

2. HUMAN COMFORT & SAFETY

2
 Productivity

The worker is producing 32 plates per hour. Considering that with

the improved methods of work, he will be able to produce 42 plates
per hour, then productivity of worker will be improved by 31.25
percent.

3
4
WORK STYDY HAS MANY OTHER NAMES
FOR EXAMPLE
METHODS ENGINEERING,
WORK SCIENCE,
WORK DESIGN,
JOB ESIGN
WORK METHODS DESIGN &WORK
MEASUREMENT
MOTION &TIME STUDY
Original names were:
Motion study,Time Study
& then, Motion & Time Study
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 DEFINITION
It is the systematic study of work systems with
the purposes of
1. Developing the preferred system and Method
( with lowest cost)
2. Standardizing the system and method
3. Determining standard time for the task
4. Assisting in training the worker in the
preferred Method

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 ILO DEFINITION

It is the systematic examination of

carrying on activities so as to
improve the effective use of
resources and to set standards of
performance for the activities being
carried out.

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 EXPLANATION

Above stated definition has FOUR parts.

However, the TWO most important for WORK
STUDY are:
1.MOTION STUDY
(or Work Methods Design) &
2. TIME STUDY
(or Work Measurement)
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Work Study (Procedure)

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 Motion Study
Analysis of the basic hand, arm, and body movements of workers as
they perform work
 Techniques for recording

The Gilbreths pioneered the study of manual motions and developed

basic laws of motion economy that are still relevant today. They
were also responsible for the development of detailed motion picture
studies, termed as Micro Motion Studies, which are extremely useful
for analyzing highly repetitive manual operations.

1) Micro motion study

2) Memo Motion study
3) Simultaneous Motion charts
4) Left hand-Right hand motion charts
5) Cycle Graph and chrono cycle graph

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 Assignment-1(Detailed explanation)

1) Micro motion study

2) Memo Motion study
3) Simultaneous Motion charts
4) Left hand-Right hand motion charts
5) Cycle Graph and chrono cycle graph

12
 Basic Motion Elements
Frank Gilbreth first to analyze and
classify the basic motion elements

Therbligs 17 basic motion elements

Spelled backward except for th

Basic building blocks of virtually all manual work performed at a

single location (so the primary interest is the hand motions)
 17 Therbligs
1. Transport empty (TE) reach for an object with empty hand
today we call it reach
2. Grasp (G) grasp an object by contacting and closing the fingers
until control has been achived
3. Transport loaded (TL) move an object with hand and arm
today we call it move
4. Hold (H) hold an object with one hand
5. Release load (RL) release control of an object
6. Use (U) manipulate/use a tool.
7. Pre-position (PP) position object for next operation
8. Position (P) position object in defined location
9. Assemble (A) join two parts

.
 17 Therbligs (continued)

10. Disassemble (DA) seperate multiple parts that were previously

joined
11. Search (Sh) attempt to find an object using eyes or hand.
12. Select (St) choose among several objects in a group (hand-eye
coordination is involved)
13. Plan (Pn) decide on an action (a short pause or hesitation in the
motions)
14. Inspect (I) determine quality of object using the eyes
15. Unavoidable delay (UD) waiting due to factors beyond worker
control
16. Avoidable delay (AD) worker waiting
17. Rest (R) resting to overcome fatigue

Figen EREN
 Therbligs

Work Systems and the

Methods, Measurement,
 Therbligs

Work Systems and the

Methods, Measurement,
 Therbligs

Work Systems and the

Methods, Measurement,
 Therbligs

Work Systems and the

Methods, Measurement,
 Example

Figen EREN
.
 Classification of Therbligs
Effective therbligs: Ineffective therbligs:
Physical Basic Motion Physical Basic Motion Elements:
Elements: Hold
Transport empty Pre-position
Grasp Physical and Mental Basic Motion
Transport loaded Elements:
Release load Position
Use Search
Assemble Select
Disassemble Mental Basic Elements:
Mental Basic Elements: Plan
Inspect
Method study at the therblig Delay
level elements:
seeks to eliminate or reduce
Delay Elements:
ineffective therbligs. Unavoidable delay
Rest Avoidable delay

Figen EREN
.
THUS:
PRODUCTIVITY measures the extent to which a
certain OUTPUT can be extracted FROM A
GIVEN INPUT.

It may be noted that PRODUCTION ( which is

number of products) is different from
PRODUCTIVITY.
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Basic Procedure (Work Measurement)

41
Techniques of Work Measurements

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 Work measurement gives answers to the following
questions typically faced by service organization.

How many people are required to meet specific demand or job

requirement?
How much work employees are doing?
How effectively employees are working?
How to design an appropriate incentive system?
What are the fair productivity expectations of supervisors or top
management?

43
 Work measurement methods

The methods adopted to measure work done by employees vary

from one workplace to another and from one industry to another.

Example: A call center may measure the work in terms of number of

calls an executive answers. Whereas, a typist might be evaluated
on the basis of time it takes to type a letter.

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 Cont..

The basic procedure for work measurement, regardless of a

particular technique is comprised of analyzing work, measuring and
synthesizing the work.

- In analysis, the job is divided into discrete components called

elements.

In measurement, a specific technique is adopted to establish time

required by each element of task.

Finally, elemental times are synthesized and added together with

appropriate allowances to construct the standard time to complete
task.

45
Allowances (The time required by the worker to recover from fatigue)

The fatigues in workers are imposed by:

Type of work undertaken

Duration of work

Working environment

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Three most useful techniques of work measurement

47
 Cont..

1. Time Study
Involves timing a sample of a worker's performance and using it to set
a standard.

2. Predetermined Time Standards

Divide manual work or task into small basic elements that have
established times, and then add the time factors for each element to
estimate time for a particular task.

3. Work Sampling
Determines the proportion of time a worker spends on activities.

48
 Time study
1. Define the task or objective to be studied

2. Decide how many times to measure the task. Time study is a

sampling process. It is important to decide the number of cycles or
samples needed and the required level of confidence in the
estimated time standards to set standard time

3. Divide the task into precise elements

4. Time and record each element time a worker would take to

complete the task element. Rate the performance of worker. Let the
experienced analyst record the time.

5. Complete the average cycle time for each task element as given

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Conti..

50
Problem..
Find the standard time if 12 % allowances are given

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52
53
Sample size for time study

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55
56
Predetermined Time Standards

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Work sampling

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59
Sample size for WS

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Problem

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65
METHOD STUDY & JOB SELECTION

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 STEP I : JOB/TASK/PROCESS SELECTION

It involves following considerations:

1. ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

2. TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS and

3. HUMAN CONSIDERATIONS

67
 Contd.
1.ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Cost effectiveness i.e. to check whether or not the WS application
would pay. For this, key-profit giving/ costliest operations with largest
waste/scrap should be attacked first. Next bottleneck operations,
repetitive operations, repeated material handling operations should be
studied. For locating most important operations, PARETO ANALYSIS
could be used.
2.TECHNICAL/TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The analysis involves application of WS for the selection of the
operations/processes where new technology e.g. automation/
robotisation should be introduced.
3.HUMAN CONSIDERATIONS
Analysis involves location of those operations which present the
sources of dissatisfaction and/or annoyance to the workers due to
fatigue or monotony or unsafe environment or a work which is clumsy
in nature.
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 STEP II : RECORDING THE FACTS (charts and
Diagrams)

Related to the existing process/ job ALL THE FACTS should

be recorded ACCURATELY.

TOOLS OF FACT-RECORDING are:

(A) CHARTS, which may be of two types:

(i) Based on SEQUENCE:

(a) Outline Process Chart
(b) Flow Process Chart
(c) Two-Handed Chart ( or Operation
Chart / Left Hand & Right Hand chart)
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 PROCESS CHART SYMBOLS
ASME has recommended FIVE standard symbols to be used on
Process Charts, given below:
1. OPERATION : Main steps of the
task /job involving modification /change.
2. INSPECTION: Checking quality / quantity.

3. TRANSPORTATION : For movement of

persons/materials.
4. DELAY (TEMPORARY) : For waiting time of
operators or materials.
5. STORAGE (PERMANENT DELAY)] : For
controlled storage involving authorized
issue/receipt of material etc.
NOTE: FOR TWO PARALLEL EVENTS, BOTH ARE
SHOWN IN ONE JOINT OR COMBINED SYMBOL: e. g.
operation & inspection ,jointly are shown 70
by symbol, indicated in the figure.
 THE OUTLINE FLOW PROCESS
CHART
It uses ONLY TWO SYMBOLS:
&
It provides an OVERALL PICTURE of the
process / job / task.
Primarily it is used to show the sequence of
operations & inspections for a
MANUFACTURING or an ASSEMBLY kind of
jobs.
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 FLOW PROCESSCHART
It uses ALL THE FIVE SYMBOLS and provides the
total sum details of the process/job under study.
A Flow Process chart may be of the following
types:
1.MAN-TYPE in which every symbol is
related to his/her activity only.
2.MATERIAL TYPE in which every symbol
is related to the material of the job
or a document (e.g. in offices) or a
machine/equipment.
Data / information in a flow process chart are
recorded in specifically designed FORM, as given
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in the TEXT BOOK / CLASS ROOM.
 CONTD.
(ii ) Charts Based on TIME scale:

(a) Multiple Activity Chart

(b) SIMO ( SImultaneous MOtion) Chart

(B) DIAGRAMS: which may be of the

following types:
Flow diagram, String Diagram, Travel Chart,
Cyclegraph, & Chronocyclegraph,
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 LECTURE : 15-17

CHAPTER : 8

RECORDING MOVEMENT OF
WORKERS/MATERIALS

81
RECORDINGMOVEMENT OF WORKERS/
MATERIALS

TOOLS USED FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE:

STRING DIAGRAM

FLOW DIAGRAM

TRAVEL CHART
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 STRING DIAGRAM

IT IS A SCALE PLAN OR MODEL ON WHICH

A THREAD OR STRING IS USED TO TRACE
AND MEASURE THE PATH OF WORKERS/
MATERIALS DURING A SPECIFIED
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.
LENGTH OF THE THREAD/STRING
MEASURES THE DISTANCE MOVED.

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 FLOW DIAGRAM

It is a FLOOR-PLAN showing the path of

travel of the operator or the material,
through the plant.

It ALSO indicates the direction of travel by

means of arrows, drawn on the diagram.

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 TRAVEL CHART ( or, FROM-TO CHART)
It is a tabular record of quantitative data about
movement of workers/materials/equipment between
any number of places over a given period of time. It is
always in the form of a SQUIRE, having within it the
squires.
EACH SMALL SQUIRE REPRESENTS A STATION.
Along the TOP, squires from left to right represent the
stations FROM where movement or travel occurs.
Along those DOWN THE LEFT HAND, the squires
represent the stations TO which the movement is
made.
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 MAN-MACHINE CHART
(MULTIPLE ACTIVITY CHART)
This kind of process chart records the activities of
the operator as well as the machine on the same
chart against a common time scale.
Separate vertical columns ( in the form of bars)
are used for both.
The chart clearly indicates the IDLENESS (or
UTILISATION) of operator as well as the machine.
On the basis of the recorded events in the chart,
one can rearrange the process so that IDLE-TIME
is reduced, or BETTER UTILISATION of the
operator/machine is achieved.
It is used for balancing the work between man
and machine ;proper utilization of maintenance
crew /team-activities in mass production. 86
 LECTURE : 18-24
CHAPTER : 9

METHODS & MOVEMENTS AT THE

WORKPLACE

87
 METHODS & MOVEMENTS AT THE
WORKPLACE
PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY
These principles can be helpful in work design, in
reducing the human fatigue and in improving the
work efficiency. According to Barnes, these can be
presented under following THREE subgroups:

1.Principles of motion economy as related to the

USE OF HUMAN BODY

2.Principles of motion economy as related to the

ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE

3.Principles of motion economy as related to the

DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT 88
 [A] .Principles of motion economy as related to
the USE OF HUMAN BODY
1.The two hands should begin and
complete their movements at the same
time.
2. The two hands should not be idle at the
same time.
3.Motions of the arms should be
symmetrical and in opposite direction
and should be made simultaneously.

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 Principles: Contd

4.Hand and body motions should be made at

the lowest classification at which it is possible
to do the work satisfactorily.

[The term CLASSIFICATION OF HAND

MOTION is explained as follows]

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 CLASSIFICATION OF HAND MOTIONS

CLASS PIVOT BODY MEMBERS MOVED

1 Knuckle Finger (F)

2 Wrist Hand (H) + F
3 Elbow Fore Arm (FA) + H + F
4 Shoulder Upper Arm (UA) +FA+H+F
5 Trunk Torso + UA + FA + H + F
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 Principles : CONTD.
5. Momentum should be employed to help the
worker ,but should be reduced to a minimum
whenever it is to overcome by muscular effort.

6.Continuous curved motions are to be

preferred to straight line motion involving
sudden and sharp changes in direction.

7. Ballistic (free-swinging) motions are

faster, easier, and more accurate than
restricted or controlled motions. 92
 .
Principles CONTD

8.Rhythm is essential to the smooth and

automatic performance of a repetitive
operation. The work should be arranged to
permit an easy and natural rhythm whenever it
is possible.

9.Work should be arranged so that eye-

movements are confined to a comfortable
area, without the need for frequent changes of
the focus.
93
 [B].Principles of motion economy as related
to the ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE

1.Definite and fixed positions/stations

should be provided for all tools and
materials to permit habit formation.

2.Tools and materials should be pre-

positioned to reduce searching.

94
 CONTD.

3.Gravity-feed, bins and containers should

be used to deliver the materials as close to
the point of use as possible.

4.Tools, materials, and controls should be

located within the maximum working area
and as near to the worker as possible.
[WORKING AREA (WA) may be divided into:
1.NORMAL WA &
2.MAXIMUM WA explained below95 ]
Normal Working Area (WA) : Cotd.
( Finger + wrist + elbow ) Movement
MOST CONVENIENT ZONE

Edge
of bench operator

operator
Maximum WA : (Shoulder Movement)
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 DIMENSIONS FOR SEATED TASKS
1.SEAT HEIGHT should be adjustable :
( range:36-45 )
2. WORK SURFACE HEIGHT should be around
elbow level (range:65-72 cm)
3.LEG CLEARANCE : 40 cm at knee level
& 60 cm for the feet
4.THIGH CLEARANCE : 20 cm minimum
5.WORK SURFACE THICKNESS : 5cm max.

97
 Principles : CONTD.
5.Materials and tools should be arranged to
permit the best sequence of motions.

6.Drop deliveries or ejectors should be

used wherever possible, so that operators
do not have to use his/her hands to dispose
of the finished work.

98
 Principles : CONTD.
7.Provision should be made for adequate
lighting and, a chair of the type of height to
permit good posture should be provided.
The height of the workplace and seat should
be arranged to allow alternate standing and
sitting.

8.The color of the workplace should

contrast with that of the work and thus
reduce the eye-fatigue.
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[C]. Principles of motion economy as related to the
the DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
1.The hands should be relieved of all work
of holding the work-piece where this can
be done by a jig, fixture or foot-operated
device.
2.Two or more tools should be combined
wherever possible.
3.Where each finger performs some specific
movement, as in typewriting, the load
should be distributed in accordance with the
inherent capacities of the fingers.
100
 Principles : CONTD.
4.Handles such as those on cranks and large
screw divers should be so designed that as
much surface of the hand as possible can
come in contact with the handle. This is
specially necessary when considerable force
has to be used on the handle.

5.Levers crossbars and hand-wheels should be

so placed that the operator can use them with
the least change in body position and the
largest mechanical advantage. 101
 TWO-HANDED PROCESS CHART (OPERATION
CHART/LEFT-HAND RIGHT-HAND CHART)
It shows the activities of the two hands in
relation to one another.
ACCORDING TO BARNES:
It uses ONLY TWO SYMBOLS: &
Small circle for TRANSPORTATION
& Big circle for OPERATION.
ACCORDING TO ILO :
It uses ALL process chart symbols EXCEPT
INSPECTION
After studying a few cycles recording is done.
ONLY ONE HAND is charted AT A TIME. 102
FUNDAMENTAL HAND MOTIONS
Gilbreth observed that most work done
by two hands consists of a few
fundamental motions.
He called EACH ONE of them as
THERBLIG. (name of GILBRETH ,read in
reverse order).

THERBLIG : GILBRETH
( read in reverse order)
103
 contd.
Today we have 17 Therbligs as follows:
Search, select, grasp,
transport empty, transport loaded,
hold, release load
position, preposition, inspect,
assemble, disassemble, use,
unavoidable delay avoidable delay,
plan, & rest for overcoming
fatigue.
THESE ARE USED IN MICROMOTION
STUDIES (FACTS RECORDED ON FILMS)
104
 MICROMOTION STUDIES
Operations with very short cycles &
repetitive cycles need greater details to
analyze it for saving motions and
effort( i.e. planning for lesser fatigue).
This goal can be achieved through
Micro-motion Studies.
MICRO means small. Thus here we
study the motions in terms of
THERBLIGS.

105
 CONTD.
Such a study involves the use of
FILM and VIDEO
when operator performs the job.

Later on the film/video can be run slowly

THROUGH A PROJECTOR and
Frame by frame analysis of the work
can be carried out.
Film provides greater flexibility of filming
and playback speeds WHEREAS video is
easier in use. 106
 Contd.
STEPS:
1. Filming the job
2. Analysis of the film, &
3. Presenting DATA/FACTS
graphically through
SIMO chart.

(SImultaneous Motion Chart)

107
 CONTD.
EQUIPMENT:
Camera, Film, Micro-chronometer,
Exposure meter, Flood lights,
Reflectors, Tripod,, Projector etc.

OR,

VIDEOCAMERA plus its

accessories for filming
operation.
108
 CONTD.
ADVANTAGES OF MICROMOTION STUDIES
OVER DIRECT OBSERVATION.

Greater details are made availalble

More accurate
Easier in data collection
Better for record keeping
Help in work study personnel's
development 109
 FILM ANALYSIS:
Film is run on projector,
Details of the work-cycle are identified in
terms of THERBLIGS, first for
Left hand
and then for
Right hand,
TIME ( in WINK) is noted from the
Chronometer readings of the film for each
therblig.
[1 WINK = (1/2000) OF A MINUTE 110 ]
 CONTD.

With these data SIMO (Simultaneous

Motion) chart is made as shown
below :

LH Activities Therblig Time Therblig RH Activity

111
 MEMOMOTION ANALYSIS
It was introduced by MUNDEL.
It is a special type of micro-motion study in
which activities are FILMED AT MUCH
SLOWER SPEED (60 to 100 frames per
minute) i.e. at longer intervals than normal
(intervals being between 0.5 to 4 s).
Thus a general pattern of movements can
be obtained and avoidable motions can be
identified.

112
 contd.
STEPS: Study the operation to be filmed ;
Prepare the film ; Analyze the film ;
Develop a better method.
ADVANTAGES: More economical (less film
consumed) and Long sequence of activities can be
recorded;
APPLICATIONS:
Team-work studies ;
Material flow studies ( e.g. baggage
movement at the airports )
Long cycle job studies &
Study of artificial limbs motions etc 113
 CYCLEGRAPH
It was introduced by Gilbreth.
It is a photographic record of the path of
movement of the operator doing a job.
Little source of light (bulb) is attached to the
hand or finger or any other body part, whose
motions are to be analyzed. When he/she
performs the operation and photograph is
taken continuously, the path of motions is
recorded on the film as CONTINUOUS
STREAK OF LIGHT as shown below
OPERATO R

114
 CHRONOCYCLEGRAPH
It is a special type of cycle-graph in which the light
source (bulb) is suitably INTERRUPTED ELECTRICALLY
so that the path of motion in the photograph appears as
a SERIES OF PEAR-SHAPED SPOTS instead of
continuous streak of light as shown below

PEAR-SHAPED SPOTS

MOTION DIRECTION

The pointed end of the pear shows the direction of movement.

More elongated and spaced pear-spots indicate higher speed of
operation..
It helps in studying the complex and restricted motions also. 115