Monotonous activity and typological features. Development of a career guidance system

Monotony and working conditions

Monotone– monotonous repetition of work operations. The danger of monotony lies in reduced attention to the production process, rapid fatigue and decreased interest in the work process, which affects labor safety in general. One of the forms that predisposes to the formation of monotony is automatism - activity carried out without the direct participation of consciousness. It is formed as a result of several factors: many years of experience, routine work, lack of involvement in the work process, imagination and creativity, physical overload. This is of particular importance in complex industries or industries with hazardous working conditions, where accuracy and attention are crucial. Monotony is accompanied by boredom and apathy towards performing work activities. But it cannot be precisely determined that performing these particular actions is a monotonous and boring task. Each person determines for himself the type of his activity and gives it his own objective assessment. For example, one employee working on an assembly line considers his work monotonous and boring, while another, on the contrary, considers it very interesting. Many people engaged in dynamic, active work, which cannot be called monotonous, consider it boring and uninteresting.

Main groups of monotonous labor processes

The “classical” version of monotony is conveyor work, carried out at a given pace and rhythm, where simple elements, short in execution time, are repeated in a certain sequence many times during a work shift, a week, months, and sometimes many years.

In fact, they are close to conveyor work - work performed in a continuous process, where the pace and rhythm depend on the head worker in the flow.

The next group is work performed at a free pace and rhythm on machines, automatic and semi-automatic machines: stamping, riveting, polishing and similar processes. Here, the operation of an activity often comes down to two elements: taking and placing the processed part or product in the required way.

Monotonous work includes control work on product rejection, operator work on monitoring the position of arrows and instruments on the control panel, and monotonous work in a monotonous work environment.

The physiological mechanism of monotony at the nerve cell level is as follows. A neuron in the cerebral cortex, under the influence of frequent, monotonously repeated stimuli, sooner or later comes into an inhibitory state, and when the inhibitory process spreads throughout the entire cerebral cortex, a person falls asleep. It follows from this that the greater the number of rapidly changing and different parameters of influence, the slower the inhibitory process will cover brain structures and the longer the decline in performance will not occur.

Some foreign scientists have a very negative attitude towards human work on an assembly line. By the end of the working day, they note a deterioration in encephalogram indicators, a decrease in blood sugar levels, an aversion to work, and lethargy that are stronger than in groups of workers of other types of work that are similar in structure. This happens primarily due to the irrational use of the conveyor method of work (primarily due to disruption of the rhythm and tempo of work).

In general, the main negative aspects of the irrational organization of conveyor labor are as follows: excessively high or excessively low speeds of movement of the conveyor belt, irrational alternation of periods of work and rest, the presence of monotony of work due to the excessive fragmentation of the work process, disruption of work rhythms due to irregular feeding conveyor belt of parts and semi-finished products, non-standard parts, lack of multiple operations, the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system in workers forced to work in an uncomfortable position with constant overload of individual muscle groups.

In the absence of negative factors, and specifically in the rational organization of work, performance is quite high, and fatigue occurs no earlier than with conventional types of work. For some workers, with the onset of sufficient training, the feeling of monotony of work disappears, they begin to declare that they like the work and are of interest to them. When testing the types of higher nervous activity of this group of people, it was found that most of them were melancholic, fewer were phlegmatic, and there were no choleric people at all.

Rhythm and pace of work

The most unfavorable factor during monotonous work on a conveyor belt is rhythm disturbance. The assimilation of a new rhythm requires a new installation of basic nervous processes, the development of a new stereotype, and functional tension of the main working structures of the brain.

Rhythm is a term of Greek origin, it means a regularly repeated alternation of tension and relaxation, acceleration and deceleration. This is a natural alternation of elements of activity over time. There is rhythm not only in work, but also in music, poetry, and dance. In work activity, the working rhythm is understood as a natural alternation of time periods of activity and pauses between them. Rhythm is inseparable from tempo, which characterizes the speed of work. Tempo means time in Italian. The work rate is understood as the number of repeating completed cycles of work operations per unit of time.

An excessively fast pace of work leads brain cells into an inhibited state due to too frequent repetition of irritations, and they become depleted due to exceeding the limit of functional mobility. All this causes a violation of the stability of the stereotype of labor movements, the extinction of the formed dominant. Rhythmic work in such conditions is disrupted, and a lag occurs from the given rhythm. In scientific studies specifically aimed at establishing micropauses in operations, it was shown that the optimal ratio would be the ratio of operating time and micropauses as 1:2. Then both high performance and health of workers are maintained.

Is it advisable to maintain a uniform belt speed on a conveyor throughout the entire working day? Apparently not. At the beginning of work, a person’s physiological functions are gradually included in the active state of the work process. Therefore, at the beginning of work, in the first 30 minutes, it is recommended to take into account the period of getting into work and getting into work. Then, for 2-3 hours, performance is usually at the same level, the “plateau” phase. As the lunch break approaches, almost everyone's work slows down. In the afternoon, this pattern repeats. An effective factor that weakens the negative impact of monotony on the human body is working on a conveyor belt with a drive, that is, with the possibility of periodic work at a free rhythm and pace.

Fighting the monotony of work

The best way to combat boredom is to expand the range of responsibilities, complicate the work, or enrich it with such functions and responsibilities that can act as incentives for a particular employee.

The manager needs to pay attention to the mode and schedule of work of employees, to the social and physical working conditions:

1) pay attention to the noise level in the room where the main work takes place, since if the noise level in the room exceeds the norm, then it is difficult for the employee to concentrate on performing his work duties; noise in the room also leads to certain psychological consequences, such as decreased or hearing loss. It should be noted that sometimes a noisy environment is a cost of certain professions and there is no escape from it. However, hearing loss in such cases is equivalent to a work injury, and the employer is obliged to pay compensation;

2) the color scheme of the room is also very important for working employees. Of course, the color of the walls does not affect the psychological microclimate in the team, labor productivity, or reducing the level of defects and accidents. But a certain color can add coziness to the interior of the room, giving it a more pleasant work environment. The color of the walls also affects the perception of a person, an employee, and the size of the room. For example, painting walls in light colors visually makes the room more spacious, while walls painted in dark colors visually make the space smaller.

Interior decor experts say that red and orange colors are warm, while blue and green tones are cool. For example, if the walls are painted in bright, rich red-orange colors, then in the summer, employees will psychologically feel that the room is very hot, even if the air conditioning is on. And if the walls of the room are painted in lighter, calmer shades, then during the cold period the employees of such a room will feel that it is very cold in it. And this means that if you just choose the wrong color tone for the walls, the performance of the team may decrease, and the manager will have to listen to complaints from employees instead of working;

3) recently, many scientists have conducted research on the effect of lighting on human performance, and have found that long periods of doing small work or reading a book in dim lighting affect vision and significantly reduce it. Very bright, dazzling light or, conversely, dim lighting has a negative impact on productivity. You can also pay attention to the rational organization of the labor process; increasing employee interest in the work task; ensuring visual productivity of work for the employee; attraction of machines to facilitate the work of workers; alternation of work activities; establishing optimal working hours; development of a system of material and moral incentives.

Working conditions. The study of the influence of working conditions began at the end of the 19th century. And since then it has been an integral part of the labor process. K. Marx and F. Engels studied the situation of the working class in England and drew conclusions about the dependence of labor efficiency on working conditions, the living conditions of the worker, the length of the working day, and others. At the moment, the main aspects of organizing an employee’s workspace are legally established, for example, the length of the working day, vacation regimes, additional payment for hazardous production, and the amount of the minimum wage. In addition, there are certain standards of production activity, which include certain dimensions of the workplace, compliance with hygienic requirements and workplace comfort.

Working conditions largely depend on the status of the employee, but should not be discriminatory. Working conditions directly affect production efficiency, employee motivation to achieve goals, stimulation of a creative approach to work responsibilities and comfortable psychological relationships in the team.

Pros and cons production automation

This branch of ergonomics studies, first of all, the individual characteristics of human labor behavior, both mental and physiological.

Mental activity is represented by three factors - cognitive, emotional and volitional. Physiological characteristics are manifested in brain activity, physical readiness for work, the ability for long-term exercise and the period of recovery of motor activity, breathing parameters and speech function.

Advantages. Today there are almost no enterprises left that use manual labor. Technological progress has led to the emergence of a huge number of enterprises that have completely or partially switched to production automation. The advantages of machines over humans are as follows:

1) machines can perceive colors in a spectrum inaccessible to humans;

2) reliable monitoring over time;

3) quick execution of accurate calculations;

4) storing a large amount of information;

5) great power;

6) long-term use with a certain level of effectiveness;

7) reduction of defective products;

8) no vacations or illnesses, the exception may be a machine failure or breakdown, etc.

It is also impossible not to mention the disadvantages of machine production:

1) lack of flexibility;

2) the impossibility of independent corrections of the program;

3) lack of improvisation;

4) even the latest equipment cannot operate without human intervention;

5) lack of creativity and new ideas;

6) failures in the program, technical problems, etc.



Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine
Tauride National University named after. V. I. Vernadsky
Faculty of Management
Department of Management and Marketing

Abstract on Design and ergonomics on the topic:
"Monotone. Prevention of monotony."

Completed:
1st year student,
group M-102
Chukhalova Marina Sergeevna

Accepted:
department assistant
Zarichnaya A. A.

Simferopol, 2013

Introduction

Ergonomics (from the Greek ergon - “work”, nomos - “law”, or “law of work”) is a field of knowledge that comprehensively studies human labor activity in the “man - technology - environment” system in order to ensure efficiency, safety and comfort labor activity. Therefore, ergonomics research is based on determining the patterns of mental and physiological processes that underlie certain types of work activity, studying the features of human interaction with tools and objects of labor.
The word “monotony” is of Greek origin and translated means monotony. The essence of monotony lies in the long-term unpleasant impact of the monotony of work on the human body and its nervous system. The word “boredom” is often used as a synonym when listening, for example, to an uninteresting melody repeated for a long time, or a story known from school.
Modern scientists pay great attention to the study of monotonous types of work, since the number of workers engaged in this type of activity is steadily growing. In Russia, their number reaches approximately 30% of all employees; according to foreign press data, in American enterprises their number is about 70%. There is no opportunity yet to get rid of monotonous work; moreover, there is a persistent tendency to increase the volume of monotonous work in most existing labor processes.
The purpose of this essay is to reveal the essence of monotony, as well as to present preventive measures and ways to combat monotony.

1. The concept of monotony

Monotony is the monotonous repetition of work actions. Even a long labor operation consisting of monotonous work techniques can also be monotonous. It all depends on the structure of the operation itself, i.e. quantity, content and nature of its constituent elements. If the operation is reduced to performing a limited range of labor actions, then it is monotonous even with a significant duration. As a result of prolonged performance of the same operations, a person experiences a decrease in attention to work, loss of strength, and apathy. And this certainly affects labor safety.
But no one can say for sure that performing any specific actions is a monotonous task. Because the type of activity is determined by each person independently, depending on his interests, abilities, etc. And, for example, work on an assembly line may be perceived differently by two workers, one may consider it boring and monotonous, and the second, on the contrary, interesting. And this applies not only to conveyors. There are people who engage in active, dynamic activities and consider them boring and uninteresting.
Monotony is accompanied by apathy towards performing work activities and boredom. But it cannot be precisely determined that performing these particular actions is a monotonous and boring task. Each person independently determines the type of his activity and gives it his own objective assessment. For example, one employee who works on an assembly line considers his work boring and monotonous, while another, on the contrary, considers it interesting. Many people engaged in active, dynamic work, which cannot be called monotonous, consider it boring and uninteresting.
Main groups of monotonous labor processes. A classic version of monotony is conveyor work, carried out at a given rhythm and pace, where simple elements, short in execution time, are repeated in a certain sequence many times during a work shift, a week, months, and sometimes many years.
Work performed in an in-line manner, where the pace and rhythm depend on the main worker in the flow, are, in fact, close to the assembly line.
The next group is work performed at a free pace and rhythm on machines, automatic and semi-automatic machines: stamping, riveting, polishing and similar processes. Here, the operation of an activity often comes down to two elements: taking and placing the processed part or product in the required way.
Monotonous work includes control work on product rejection, operator work on monitoring the position of arrows and instruments on the control panel, and monotonous work in a monotonous work environment.
The physiological mechanism of monotony at the nerve cell level is as follows. A neuron in the cerebral cortex, under the influence of frequent, monotonously repeated stimuli, sooner or later comes into an inhibitory state, and when the inhibitory process spreads throughout the entire cerebral cortex, a person falls asleep. From this it follows that the greater the number of rapidly changing and different parameters of influence, the slower the inhibitory process will cover brain structures and the longer the decline in performance will not occur.
Some foreign scientists have a very negative attitude towards human work on an assembly line. By the end of the working day, they note a deterioration in encephalogram indicators, a decrease in blood sugar levels, an aversion to work, and lethargy that are stronger than in groups of workers of other types of work that are similar in structure. This happens primarily due to the irrational use of the conveyor method of work (primarily due to disruption of the rhythm and tempo of work).
In general, the main negative aspects of the irrational organization of conveyor labor are as follows: excessively high or excessively low speeds of movement of the conveyor belt, irrational alternation of periods of work and rest, the presence of monotony of work due to excessive fragmentation of the work process, disruption of work rhythms due to irregular feeding conveyor belt of parts and semi-finished products, non-standard parts, lack of multiple operations, the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system in workers forced to work in an uncomfortable position with constant overload of individual muscle groups.
In the absence of negative factors, and specifically in the rational organization of work, performance is quite high, and fatigue occurs no earlier than with conventional types of work. For some workers, with the onset of sufficient training, the feeling of monotony of work disappears, they begin to declare that they like the work and are of interest to them. When testing the types of higher nervous activity of this group of people, it was found that most of them were melancholic, fewer were phlegmatic, and there were no choleric people at all.
The most unfavorable factor during monotonous work on a conveyor belt is rhythm disturbance. The assimilation of a new rhythm requires a new installation of basic nervous processes, the development of a new stereotype, and functional tension of the main working structures of the brain.
Rhythm is a term of Greek origin, it means a regularly repeated alternation of tension and relaxation, acceleration and deceleration. This is a natural alternation of elements of activity over time. There is rhythm not only in work, but also in music, poetry, and dance. In work activity, the working rhythm is understood as a natural alternation of time periods of activity and pauses between them. Rhythm is inseparable from tempo, which characterizes the speed of work. Tempo means time in Italian. The work rate is understood as the number of repeating completed cycles of work operations per unit of time.
As a result of an excessively fast pace of work, brain cells become inhibited. They are gradually depleted due to exceeding the limit of functional mobility. This leads to disruption of the rhythm of work. Scientific research specifically aimed at studying micro-pauses in work has led to the conclusion that the optimal ratio of work time and micro-pauses is 1:2. This will help maintain high performance and health of workers.
Is it advisable to maintain a uniform belt speed on a conveyor throughout the entire working day? Apparently not. At the beginning of work, a person’s physiological functions are gradually included in the active state of the work process. Therefore, at the beginning of work, in the first 30 minutes, it is recommended to take into account the period of getting into work and getting into work. Then, for 2-3 hours, performance is usually at the same level, the “plateau” phase. As the lunch break approaches, almost everyone's work slows down. In the afternoon, this pattern repeats. An effective factor that weakens the negative impact of monotony on the human body is working on a conveyor belt with a drive, that is, with the possibility of periodic work at a free rhythm and pace.

2. Prevention and fight against monotony

Monotony – monotonous repetition of work operations. The danger of monotony lies in reduced attention to the production process, rapid fatigue and decreased interest in the work process, which affects labor safety in general. This is of particular importance in complex industries or industries with hazardous working conditions, where accuracy and attention are crucial. Therefore, strict adherence to occupational safety regulations is of decisive importance.
Measures to combat monotony include:
1) rational organization of the labor process;
2) increasing the employee’s interest in the work task;
3) ensuring visual productivity of work for the employee;
4) attracting machines to ease the work of workers;
5) alternation of work activities;
6) the possibility of aesthetic design of the workplace;
7) establishing the optimal duration of work;
8) development of a system of material and moral incentives.
One of the forms that predisposes to the formation of monotony is automatism - an activity carried out without the direct participation of consciousness. It is formed as a result of several factors: many years of experience, routine work, lack of involvement in the work process, imagination and creative approach, physical stress zok.
The best way to combat boredom is to expand the range of responsibilities, complicate the work, or enrich it with such functions and responsibilities that can act as incentives for a particular employee.
The manager needs to pay attention to the mode and schedule of work of employees, to the social and physical working conditions:
1) pay attention to the noise level in the room where the main work takes place, since if the noise level in the room exceeds the norm, then it is difficult for the employee to concentrate on performing his work duties; noise in the room also leads to certain psychological consequences, such as decreased or hearing loss. It is important to note that sometimes a noisy environment is a cost of certain professions and cannot be eliminated. In such cases, hearing loss is equivalent to a work injury, and the employer is obliged to pay compensation;
2) the color scheme of the room is also very important for working employees. Of course, the color of the walls does not affect the psychological microclimate in the team, labor productivity, or reducing the level of defects and accidents. But a certain color can add coziness to the interior of the room, giving it a more pleasant work environment. The color of the walls also affects the perception of a person, an employee, and the size of the room. For example, painting walls in light colors visually makes the room more spacious, while walls painted in dark colors visually make the space smaller.
Interior decor experts say that red and orange colors are warm, while blue and green tones are cool. For example, if the walls are painted bright, deep red or orange, then in the summer, employees will feel that the room is very hot, even if the air conditioning is on. And if the walls of the room are painted in lighter and calmer shades, then during the cold period the employees of such a room will feel that it is very cold in it. This means that just the wrong color tone for the walls can negatively affect the performance of the team and the manager will have to listen to complaints from employees instead of working;
3) recently, many scientists have conducted research on the effect of lighting on human performance, and have found that long periods of doing small work or reading a book in dim lighting affect vision and significantly reduce it. Very bright, dazzling light or, conversely, dim lighting has a negative impact on productivity. You can also pay attention to the rational organization of the labor process; increasing employee interest in the work task; ensuring visual productivity of work for the employee; attraction of machines to facilitate the work of workers; alternation of work activities; establishing optimal working hours; development of a system of material and moral incentives.

Working conditions. The study of the influence of working conditions began at the end of the 19th century. And since then it has been an integral part of the labor process. K. Marx and F. Engels studied the situation of the working class in England and drew conclusions about the dependence of labor efficiency on working conditions, living conditions of the worker, length of the working day, etc. At the moment, the main aspects of organizing an employee’s workspace are legally established, for example, the length of the working day, vacation regimes, payment for damage caused by production, and the amount of the minimum wage. In addition, there are certain standards of production activity, which include certain dimensions of the workplace, compliance with hygienic requirements and workplace comfort.
Working conditions largely depend on the status of the employee, but should not be discriminatory. Working conditions directly affect production efficiency, employee motivation to achieve goals, stimulation of a creative approach to work responsibilities and comfortable psychological relationships in the team.

Pros and cons of production automation.
This branch of ergonomics studies, first of all, the individual characteristics of human labor behavior, both mental and physiological.
Human mental activity is built on three factors - cognitive, emotional and volitional.
Physiological characteristics are manifested in brain activity, physical readiness for work, the ability for long-term exercise and the period of recovery of motor activity, breathing parameters and speech function.
Advantages. Nowadays, manual labor enterprises have practically disappeared. As a result of scientific and technological progress, a large number of enterprises with partially or fully automated production have appeared.
The advantages of machines over humans are as follows:
1) machines can perceive colors in a spectrum inaccessible to humans;
2) reliable monitoring over time;
3) quick execution of accurate calculations;
4) storing a large amount of information;
5) great power;
6) long-term use with a certain level of effectiveness;
7) reduction of defective products;
8)
etc.............

Monotony, translated from Greek, means a monotonously repeating process.

The monotony of work- monotonous work. It involves either performing simple elements of operations at a given or free pace, or work with sensory or mental load.

There are two main categories of monotonous work:

Monotony– a complex of physiological (objective) and psychological (subjective) changes in the human body that develop during monotonous work.

First of all, monotonous work causes a change in the functional state of the central nervous system. Under monotonous work conditions, the following changes occur:

· Extension of the latent period of visual motor reactions;

· The emergence of a state of disinhibition;

· Decreased level of wakefulness;

· Violation of automatic activity;

· Impaired ability to switch (decreased mobility of basic nervous processes);

· Changes in biological rhythms.

Monotonous work also causes changes in various vegetative functions. Heart rate decreases by 20-30%. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, etc. decrease.

In addition to physiological changes, monotonous work leads to changes in the psychological state of the worker. The most typical of them are a feeling of boredom, apathy, drowsiness, satiety, absent-mindedness, irritability, dissatisfaction with work, etc.

The deterioration of a worker’s functional state under the influence of monotonous work leads to a decrease in the “reliability” of a person. The consequence of this may be a number of unfavorable moments. Qualitative and quantitative performance indicators are decreasing, product defects are increasing. An extremely dangerous consequence of a state of monotony is the possibility of injury. Particularly “dangerous” professions in this regard are: vehicle drivers, electric train drivers, operators of various control centers, airport dispatchers, etc.

Measures to reduce the monotony of work:

· Full automation of production processes;

· Instructing rational work and rest schedules;

· Proper organization of the rhythm and pace of work;

· Mastering operations and their alternation;

· Short but frequent breaks from work;

· Introduction to the rhythm of the work shift with functional music;

· Organization of physical exercises during regulated breaks;

· Alternate standing and sitting work;

· Organization of special rooms for psychological relief and relaxation.

3.5. Psycho-physiological basis of tension
mental labor

Mental work is based on perception, information processing and decision making. If information is perceived mainly by visual and auditory analyzers, then information processing and decision making are functions of the central nervous system with the inclusion of higher mental functions such as memory, thinking and imagination. Therefore, psychological changes during mental work are observed primarily in the central nervous system. Through it, physiological changes are observed in the functioning of other systems.

During mental work associated with nervous-emotional stress, the pulse quickens, the number of red blood cells increases, and the blood sugar level decreases.

Mental work is divided into three types: sensory, sensorimotor and logical.

Work sensory type comes down to receiving information. Arriving through one communication channels, and transmitting it in an almost low-grade form through other channels. The most typical example of such labor is the work of a telegraph operator.

Sensory type work consists of receiving information and developing a standard solution. Example: certain types of work of transport drivers.

Work logical type consists of receiving information, processing it and developing a non-standard solution. In mental work of the logical type, the process of creative thinking, the choice of the optimal solution from a number of logical options, is of great importance. The search for such a solution is associated with experience, knowledge, and the characteristics of the human nervous system.

If physical labor is described by heaviness, then mental labor is described by tension. The human psyche also suffers from the intensity of mental work. The following personal characteristics can contribute to the formation of psycho-emotional stress: motivational work conflicts, conflicts of an intimate and personal nature, increasing the importance of the subjective factor in assessing certain life and work situations.

Factors of a social and production nature include:

· Prolonged emotional stress and chronic fatigue;

· Chronic violation of work and rest regimes;

· Decreased interest in work;

· Social changes;

· Significant life difficulties (divorce, loss of loved ones, etc.);

· Direct management of the team;

· Lack of time, etc.

Measures to prevent psycho-emotional stress:

1. Mental training and skill development.

2. Moderate and constant work load (maintains vitality).

3. Improving the culture of work and life, developing willpower.

4. Correct labor, psychological, aesthetic and ethical education.

5. The ability to be distracted from what caused the stressful state.

6. Increasing interest in work.

7. Creating conditions for the emergence of positive emotions.

8. Optimal organization of rest.

Mental work is associated with decreased muscle activity (hypokinesia). Hypokinesia causes physical inactivity - dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system, blood circulation, breathing, and digestion.

Negative consequences of hypokinesia.

A typical feature of the professional activity of knowledge workers is low energy expenditure (1.5-2 kcal/min). Such professions are classified as sedentary.

Signs of a sedentary profession:

· Work in conditions of hypokinesia;

· Forced monotonous working posture;

· Local nature of the loads;

· Monotony of actions or situation;

· Significant visual strain.

Consequences of prolonged hypokinesia:

· Changes in the neuromuscular system, increased severity of pain, increased fatigue;

· Decreased functionality of the central nervous system;

· Increased mental fatigue and decreased mental performance;

· Development of cardiovascular diseases (hypotension, peripheral vascular disease, etc.);

· Increase in diseases of both infectious and non-infectious nature.

Prevention of hypokinesia:

· Industrial gymnastics;

· Physical education classes;

· Introduction of special training sessions into the working day (sports simulators).

Currently, enterprises in our country are creating new modern equipment - computer numerical control (CNC) machines, robotic systems, improving conveyor lines, etc. All this helps to reduce the physical muscle component in work. At the same time, the importance of such a harmful factor in the production process as monotony increases.

Monotony is a monotonously repeating process. To the greatest extent, the monotony of labor is typical for flow-conveyor production, which is widely used in such sectors of the economy as mechanical engineering, instrument making, radio-electronic, light, food, etc.

However, monotony also extends to a number of other professions - machine operators, stampers, pressers, operators of semi-automatic lines, as well as operators at various technological process control panels and others, which are characterized by monotony of actions.

Consequently, monotonous work is monotonous work that requires a person to either perform simple operations of the same type for a long time at a given or free pace, or to continuously concentrate attention in conditions of a small amount of incoming information. It is necessary to distinguish between such concepts as monotony of work and the state of monotony.

The monotony of labor is the monotony of labor operations or the production environment, i.e. objective external factors of work activity.

Monotony is a complex of psychological and physiological changes in the human body that arise during monotonous work, i.e. human response to monotonous work.

There are two main types of monotonous work:

1 monotony of action, in which a state of monotony occurs in connection with the performance of monotonous, frequently repeated work actions. An example of this type of monotonous labor is all conveyor lines and numerous types of machine tools, stamping and other works. With this type of monotonous work, the degree of severity of the state of monotony depends on such factors of the labor process as the number of monotonously repeated actions per unit of time, the duration of individual work operations, the degree of complexity of the operations performed, the forced pace of work, and others. Moreover, the smaller the number of elements in the work cycle and the shorter the time for their completion, the more monotonous the work.

2 monotony of the situation, in which a state of monotony (“sensory monotony”) arises due to a lack of incoming information, as well as during passive control and observation of the progress of the technological process. This type of monotony of work is characteristic of numerous types of camera work. Moreover, the smaller the amount of information the operator receives per unit of time and the less meaningful it is, as well as the longer the intervals for waiting for information and the smaller the number of objects of observation, the sooner the state of monotony develops.

Typically, externally monotonous work in production conditions is combined with other factors of professional activity. Some of them enhance the development of the state of monotony (hypokinesia, low responsibility, constant background noise, insufficient illumination of workplaces, etc.), others prevent the development of this state (physical severity, nervous tension of work, high degree of responsibility, complexity of processed information, etc. .).

The influence of monotonous labor on the worker’s body is very complex and diverse. A person’s psychophysiological reactions to monotonous work are almost the same for both types of monotonous activity (motor and sensory). Both the monotony of the situation and the monotony of the action cause a unidirectional decrease in the level of indicators of the cardiovascular system and higher nervous activity, due to a decrease in the activating influence of the reticular formation on the cerebral cortex.

Monotonous work causes, first of all, changes in the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS), which manifests itself in an extension of the latent period of simple and complex visual-motor reactions, a slowdown in the ability to switch attention, a decrease in the mobility of basic nervous processes, and others.

On the one hand, there is boring, monotonous work, which leads to a progressive decrease in the activity of various structures of the central nervous system. On the other hand, the work must be done without compromising the quantity and quality of products. All this increases nervous tension caused by the need to volitionally maintain wakefulness and performance at a certain level.

In addition to changes in the central nervous system, monotonous work also leads to changes in various autonomic functions. During such work, the heart rate significantly decreases (by 25-30%), blood pressure, mainly systolic (by 5-10%), and the value of the coefficient of variation of the heart rate increases, i.e. monotonous work leads to a significant decrease in the tonic activity of the sympathetic and an increase in the activity of the parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system. However, monotonous work, complicated by nervous tension that occurs with a high degree of responsibility (with elements of risk to one’s own life - subway drivers, dispatchers and operators of gas compressor and chemical control panels, etc.) or working on a conveyor belt at a fast pace (2-6 seconds), leads to changes in physiological functions, the depth and severity of which are greater, the greater the nervous tension and the degree of responsibility for the work performed.

A comparative analysis of two types of monotonous activity indicates that when performing monotonous work not complicated by nervous tension, the main changes are noted in the functional state of the central nervous system, while during the same work complicated by nervous tension, the functions of the central nervous system remain relatively stable throughout the shift, and major changes are observed in the state of the cardiovascular system.

Along with changes in physiological functions during monotonous work, changes are often noted that characterize the psychological status of workers, their subjective sensations and experiences, which include boredom, drowsiness, dissatisfaction with work, etc. However, the degree of manifestation of these sensations depends on the individual tolerance of the monotony factor.

Under the same conditions, not all people are equally resistant to the influence of this factor; among them there are monotophiles and monotophobes. Monotophiles, who are more resistant to monotony, are characterized by a certain typological complex: a weak type of nervous system relative to the process of excitation, low anxiety, inertia of nervous processes, closed character (the majority of people who easily tolerate monotony are introverts).

The state of monotony can turn into a state of “mental satiety,” which is characterized by aversion to monotonous activities, irritability, emotional instability, and the development of neurotic and vascular disorders. The factor of monotony, combined with a reduced level of physical activity, can cause a weakening of the body’s protective properties, which leads to an increase in the overall morbidity of workers. Monotony, as a harmful production factor, changes its structure: the frequency of neurotic and psychosomatic disorders increases, the percentage of which increases with increasing work experience. With 10-15 or more years of work experience with a monotonous nature, the number of cases of disability due to certain forms of disease increases by 3-9.8 times. Differences in the number of cases of morbidity with temporary disability are also due to the degree of monotony of work.

The fight against monotony includes a wide range of activities aimed at reducing its negative consequences for human health and performance. The measures being developed should be aimed at:

Increasing the level of central nervous system activity and increasing motivation for this type of work;

Ensuring optimal information and motor loads;

Elimination of objective factors of monotonous work.

Among the measures aimed at preventing the negative impact of monotony on the body of workers, the most important are:

Automation of monotonous manual labor;

Optimization of the content of work activity, pace and rhythm of work;

Combination of professions and alternation of operations;

Introduction of rational work and rest regimes with the introduction of 5-minute regulated breaks after every hour of work;

Rational organization of the workplace;

Introduction of industrial gymnastics complexes into the working day, listening to functional music and organizing relaxation in special rooms for psychological relief.

I approve

Deputy

Chief State

sanitary doctor of the USSR

A.I.ZAICHENKO

TO ELIMINATE AND PREVENT ADVERSE EFFECTS

MONOTONY ON HUMAN PERFORMANCE UNDER CONDITIONS

MODERN PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

In the era of the scientific and technological revolution, the development of modern production has qualitatively changed human professional activity. Against the background of a significant decrease in the share of heavy physical labor, the number of people engaged in performing simple monotonous operations with limited muscle effort and general mobility has increased significantly, i.e. working in conditions of monotony, hypokinesia and physical inactivity. The problem of monotony is also very relevant for new types of work, the important features of which are the functions of observation, management and control in conditions of a small amount of incoming information, significant observation activity, and limited physical activity.

The monotony of work, especially in combination with hypokinesia, causes a number of adverse consequences such as decreased performance, increased injuries, illness and staff turnover, etc., which ultimately lead to a significant decrease in labor efficiency in general. In this regard, the problem of preventing the development of the state of monotony is relevant both in medical-biological and socio-economic aspects. At the same time, its solution is hampered by the lack of uniform scientifically based provisions necessary for specific recommendations to prevent the negative consequences of monotonous work in different industries.

In this regard, the objective of this work was to develop basic principles for preventing the development of the state of monotony in various types of monotonous work, providing an optimal psychophysiological basis for highly productive professional activity and aimed at reducing morbidity.

These Methodological Recommendations are intended for use by sanitary doctors of sanitary and epidemiological stations, workers of health and safety services and other specialists in the development of specific measures aimed at reducing the negative consequences of monotonous work in the conditions of various types of professional activities.

1. THE PROBLEM OF WORK MONTONITY

1.1. Reasons for monotonous work

Monotonous labor (work) is a property of certain types of work that require a person to perform monotonous, elementary actions for a long time or to continuously and steadily concentrate attention in conditions of a deficiency of sensory information.

Monotony is a special type of functional state of the human body that develops in the process of monotonous work.

Hypokinesia is the activity of a person with limited motor activity.

Physical inactivity is the activity of a person with limited muscle effort.

In conditions of monotonous work, hypokinesia and physical inactivity are factors contributing to the development of a state of monotony.

The main indicators of monotonous work are:

Structural uniformity, simplicity of working techniques (operations);

Short time cycle;

High degree of repeatability;

Lack of creative elements;

Strictly defined rules of action;

Forced rhythm and tempo;

Lack of information about the progress of work;

Lack of intellectual and emotional stress;

Light or moderate amount of physical activity and lack of movement, which causes physical inactivity and hypokinesia;

Constant background noise;

Stroboscopic effect of fluorescent lamps, etc.;

Limited work space;

Isolation, disunity of workers.

In the formation of the perception of the labor process as monotonous, a certain role is played by the psychological and physiological characteristics of a person, his individual susceptibility to the development of a state of monotony.

1.2. The influence of monotonous work on the human body

The monotony of work is accompanied by a number of unpleasant subjective sensations for many people.

Subjective sensations are manifested in a decrease in interest in the work being performed, boredom, apathy, inattention, drowsiness, a distorted sense of time (“time lasts for a very long time”), a feeling of fatigue, etc., which ultimately leads to a subjective assessment of the work as uninteresting or even unattractive.

Psychophysiological manifestations of the state of monotony indicate reduced psychophysiological activity of a person and are as follows:

Decreased level of wakefulness (change in EEG alpha rhythm);

Decreased tone of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system (decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, increased pulse arrhythmia, etc.);

Decreased skeletal muscle tone.

The state of monotony is also characterized by a deterioration in work activities, slowing them down and an increase in errors in work. The deterioration of the basic parameters of professional activity, as well as the psychophysiological manifestations of the state of monotony, indicate that under these conditions, performance decreases. The state of monotony and, accordingly, its symptoms are characterized by wave-like fluctuations: periods of decreased performance are replaced by periods of increased efficiency. In conditions of monotony, a person must from time to time overcome the state of reduced activity by volitional effort. These periodic increases in activity are associated with the expenditure of both energetic and functional resources and contribute to a more rapid development of fatigue and dissatisfaction with work.

The main consequences of monotonous work are:

Decreased efficiency and labor productivity;

Deterioration in product quality;

Industrial injuries;

Increased morbidity;

Decrease in the creative initiative of workers;

High staff turnover.

The main negative consequence of hypokinesia is detraining of both individual systems (muscular and cardiovascular) and the body as a whole. As a result of detraining, the functional systems of the body (and primarily the cardiovascular system) become less resistant to the negative influence of neuro-humoral influences in situations of strong psycho-emotional stress. This is probably one of the reasons for the significant increase in recent years in nervous and cardiovascular diseases.

2.1. Basic principles for optimizing monotonous types of work

When developing measures to prevent the development of a state of monotony, it is necessary to take into account the main psychophysiological phenomena that arise in the body of workers under monotonous work conditions and largely determine its negative consequences.

Therefore, the measures being developed should be aimed at:

Improving technological processes in order to reduce the impact of monotony of work;

Ensuring optimal information and motor loads;

Increasing the level of wakefulness, increasing emotional tone and motivation.

All this is achieved both by optimizing the content and conditions of work, and by directly influencing the functional state of the human body by a complex of technological, organizational, technical and psychophysiological measures. Among them, the most important are:

Automation and mechanization of monotonous manual work;

Improvement of technology, optimization of labor content;

Improving the organization of work activities;

Improving the organization of the workplace;

Improvement of working environment conditions;

Application of psychological and socio-psychological factors for the prevention of monotony;

Development of a career guidance system;

Rational use of non-working time.

Preventive measures carried out in terms of the above aspects reduce fatigue and subjective feelings of monotony, have a positive effect on working capacity and productivity, and give a positive effect (economic calculations are recommended to be carried out on the basis of intersectoral Methodological recommendations "Determining the effectiveness of measures to improve working conditions." M., 1979).

2.2.1. Automation and mechanization of production

Automation of the labor process, i.e. Replacing a person with an automatic machine is a radical and effective way to combat monotony, ensuring a high level of labor productivity. Thus, in the radio-electronic industry, the introduction of automation made it possible to eliminate about 20% of the most monotonous work operations.

The following are primarily subject to automation:

Extremely simple working movements performed at a high pace (in cases where consolidation of operations is impossible or irrational);

Work involving long-term passive observation.

In the process of automation, it is necessary to strive for the complete elimination of monotonous operations. Otherwise, the restructuring of the production process only leads to the replacement of one type of monotonous labor with another.

2.2.2. Improvement of technology.

Optimization of labor content

The division of the technological process into production operations largely determines the content of labor, so its rational division is an effective means of combating monotony.

When dividing the production process into separate operations, the following should be considered:

Production operations must have semantic and structural completeness;

The duration of operations should not be less than 30 seconds, and micropauses in them should be at least 15% of their duration;

The structure of production operations should exclude the combination in one operation of such contrasting characteristics of labor acts as strength and accuracy, a large range of movements and the complexity of motor coordination. If possible, production operations should be performed with physiologically heterogeneous movements (movements in different planes, different ranges and trajectories, etc.), and should also ensure the preservation of conditions for the development of motor automatism - one of the prerequisites for psychologically overcoming monotony.

These requirements are achieved both by a simple revision of the technological process crushing scheme and by using a number of special methods of labor organization. For example, on production lines for assembling radio tubes, the method of individual cyclic installation turned out to be effective. With this method, the assembler is entrusted with assembling the entire product, but she produces it through a series of “subassemblies”, in cycles, passing the entire batch of products through each cycle (for more details, see Methodological recommendations “Physiological justification for a rational method of organizing the work of assemblers of miniature radio tubes.” Gorky, 1973) .

The introduction of so-called unit assembly and the organization of special “drives” at workplaces also turns out to be quite effective.

2.2.3. Improving the organization of work activities

2.2.3.1. Implementation of optimal pace and rhythm of work

The pace of work is the number of operations of a certain duration per unit of time. The pace of work is one of the most significant characteristics of work that determines its intensity. The rhythm of work is a certain sequence of alternating labor operations over time.

Due to the fact that the forced rhythm of work is one of the factors that aggravates monotony, to optimize labor it is necessary to introduce technical and organizational measures. These include:

The introduction of containers with a free rhythm of work, which allows you to set different production tasks for individual jobs in accordance with the productivity indicators achieved by individual performers. Materials from psychophysiological studies on assembly lines with a regulated and free rhythm show a positive effect on the performance of performers of a free pace and rhythm of work activity;

Establishment of optimal micropauses in operating cycles, amounting to at least 15% of operating time;

Changing the pace of work, used as a means of combating monotony (short-term increase in the pace of work) and fatigue (changing the pace of work in accordance with the dynamics of the functional state of the body).

Short-term periodic increases in the speed of work under conditions of a forced pace are rational measures to eliminate and prevent monotony, as they create an element of novelty in the work situation and cause a reaction of activation of the central nervous system with an increase in the level of wakefulness.

Increase the pace of work by 5 - 10% for 1 - 2 minutes. It is recommended to administer 2 - 3 times per hour, starting from the second hour of work. It is important to keep in mind that:

The acceleration of the pace of work must be sudden, irregular, i.e. really create an element of novelty;

Changing the intensity of the load at the moment of accelerating the pace should occur only by reducing micropauses and not affect the time required to complete the work cycle.

Ensuring that the speed of work corresponds to the dynamics of the functional state of the body is carried out using a speed variator. The range between the maximum and minimum cycles should not exceed 25% of the average shift, and the “step” of speed change should not exceed 7%.

Specific values ​​for changing the speed of the conveyor belt within 5 - 10% of the average optimal speed are calculated taking into account the existing workload factors, provided that the number of units and products produced per shift is maintained or increased.

2.2.3.2. Alternation of operations, combination of professions.

Changing objects of labor

Alternation of operations and combination of professions are forms of labor organization in which a worker, after a certain period of work, changes the operations or work tasks he performs. The purpose of these measures is to compensate for the passive state of some organs, systems and functions by changing activities, as well as to prevent local overstrains of others caused by prolonged performance of monotonous actions.

When choosing specific ways to interleave operations, it is recommended to consider the following:

The effectiveness of alternation is higher when changing a more monotonous activity to a less monotonous one;

Alternating operations must differ in their psychophysiological structure; those. by static and dynamic components, by the load on individual analyzing systems, by the degree of fixed working posture, etc.;

In conditions of precise and high-precision work, switching activity to distant muscle groups (from distal to proximal) should not be done, as this leads to a violation of the motor stereotype, prolongation of the working phases and, as a consequence, to a decrease in labor productivity;

The mode of alternation of operations is selected in accordance with specific operating conditions. Activities can be changed from two to four times per work shift to once a week;

Only those operations are alternated, the implementation of which has been mastered to perfection;

When organizing the rotation of operations, it is necessary to take into account the age and length of service of workers. It is known that a change in activity is most effective among young workers.

In a monotonous situation, the principle of changing activities is implemented by alternating types of work, as well as combining professions. In particular, in automated chemical production, a system of alternating work among operators and machine operators is used.

When combining professions, significant and long-term static components of the main job must be compensated by moderate dynamic work in the combined profession. When implementing the principle of changing activities, it is necessary to take into account that about 20% of workers have a negative attitude towards it. Changing parts, as well as types of manufactured products that differ in color, shape and size, can also be one of the means of reducing the monotony of work.

2.2.3.3. Introduction of rational work and rest regimes

The work and rest regime is a system for constructing periods of work and rest, providing for their duration, content and order of alternation. When developing work and rest regimes for monotonous work, it is necessary to take into account the general principles of designing rational work and rest regimes - rational alternation of work with regulated rest, organization of work and rest regimes based on an analysis of the dynamics of performance, prevention of decline in performance by rest, etc. (see Intersectoral recommendations on the development of rational work and rest regimes. M., "Economy", 1975, p. At the same time, in monotonous work conditions there are some features that should be taken into account when developing rational work and rest regimes:

It is advisable to introduce frequent (every 60 - 120 minutes), but short (5 - 10 minutes) regulated breaks; It is advisable to arrange 1 break at the end of the 1st hour of work;

The maximum development of the state of monotony is observed in the second half of the working day, therefore, during this period, regulated breaks must be introduced every hour of work;

Work and rest regimes must include measures to improve a person’s performance (physical exercise, functional music, outside information and stimuli);

During some regulated breaks, it is recommended to provide the opportunity to drink a glass of hot tea, sparkling water, tonic drinks, etc.;

Particular attention should be paid to physical activity during breaks as a means of eliminating the negative consequences of monotony and hypokinesia.

Due to the fact that the state of monotony is more pronounced during the night shift, there is a need to develop optimal shift schedules. As experience shows, the number of night shifts in a working week should not exceed two or three days in a row, if the technological process and production organization allow this. In industries, where possible, it is advisable to introduce shorter night shifts.

2.2.3.4. Industrial gymnastics.

Exercise while working

To increase performance in monotonous conditions, it is recommended to use various forms of physical activity (industrial gymnastics and various types of physical exercises), which are aimed at:

Increasing the level of functional activity of the body;

Elimination of local overstrains of individual muscle groups;

Compensation for hypokinesia.

The beneficial effect of physical activity on the psychophysiological state and labor productivity of workers has been proven both by special studies and by the practice of production organization. It is advisable to use the following forms of industrial gymnastics:

Introductory gymnastics lasting 7 - 10 minutes. at the beginning of the work shift directly at the workplace. The purpose of introductory gymnastics is to activate physiological processes and create a state of readiness for work. The exercises of the introductory gymnastics complex should contain elements of movements close to working ones; it is advisable to perform the exercises at an increasing pace from slow to moderate and from moderate to increased. The pace of movement should exceed the average pace of work. It is especially important to use introductory gymnastics during assembly line work, where the pace is set from the first minutes of the work shift and work from the very beginning requires high activity of all body functions;

Physical training breaks for 5 minutes. once or twice per work shift during regulated breaks. In cases where a physical training break is organized once per shift, it is better to spend it in the afternoon. In order to prevent fatigue, physical training breaks are prescribed in periods preceding the appearance of its signs. Complexes of industrial gymnastics should not tire workers. They should be selected in such a way as to activate muscle groups that are not involved in production operations, and also help redistribute the load from working muscles to non-working ones. During “sedentary” work, physical exercises are performed while standing and include mainly dynamic exercises. In addition, during physical training breaks, it is advisable to include exercises to relax muscle groups directly involved in work, as well as exercises for precision and coordination of movements.

For conveyor production professions characterized by low physical activity, limited general motor activity and significant visual strain, in industrial gymnastics complexes it is advisable to use movements with greater amplitude, activating the circulatory and respiratory systems, as well as helping to increase the level of central nervous system activity.

Exercises during physical training breaks are performed at an average pace. Complexes of introductory gymnastics and physical education breaks should contain 6-10 different exercises, repeated several times and combined into complexes in accordance with the requirements of the industrial gymnastics methodology. To conduct introductory gymnastics and physical education breaks, systematic instruction of workers and constant visual agitation and propaganda (posters, conversations on internal radio broadcasts, etc.) are necessary. Initially, constantly, and then periodically, industrial gymnastics should be carried out under the direct supervision of a methodologist or instructor. The rest of the time, the exercises are carried out under commands transmitted by radio. As a rule, introductory gymnastics and physical education breaks are carried out with musical accompaniment. It is advisable to update the sets of exercises and their musical accompaniment every month. Each new set of exercises should be the subject of instruction via radio or directly;

Physical education minutes (1.5 - 3 minutes each) are carried out independently 3 - 5 times per work shift in micro-pauses between labor operations. Their goal is to relieve local fatigue and increase functional activity, reduced due to monotonous activity and hypokinesia. The complex should consist of 2 - 3 exercises. It includes stretching, exercises for large muscle groups and, if necessary, exercises to relax the muscles involved in the work. If the conditions are available (a solid seat with support for the shins, elbows and legs), a good effect is obtained when performing isometric exercises for large muscle groups (such as arching).

New forms of physical activity are also advisable, which are applicable both during breaks and during work: independent regulation of tension in muscle groups according to the autogenic training system, posture exercises, etc. Posture exercises are aimed at eliminating the adverse effects of a sedentary, strictly regulated working posture. They are performed at the workplace directly during work. The content of the exercises is to change the sitting position within the limits of what is possible; regrouping body weight from one muscle group to another; rhythmic, isometric tension of the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, legs; raising outstretched arms up and back behind the head. The duration of one cycle of exercises is from several seconds to 1 minute, with its repetition after 20 - 40 minutes. If there are correct instructions explaining the meaning and rational regimen of exercises, workers, after a short experience, determine for themselves when and how to use posotonic exercises as a means of increasing their performance.

To organize physical education minutes, systematic instruction and explanatory work are required. Only under this condition can one count on independently performing exercises at the moments most necessary for a given person.

2.2.3.5. Functional music

Functional music plays a certain role in the fight against monotony. Functional music refers to musical programs in production, organized according to a special program, with the aim of stimulating the performance of workers. The preventive influence of music is based on its ability to evoke positive emotions and rearrange the rhythm of physiological functions, thereby increasing the activity of various functional systems of the body. The choice of musical programs is determined by the nature of the work. The simpler and shorter the labor operations, the more expressive and brighter the music should be. When performing complex work with a certain amount of attention, the music should be neutral, calmer. When using functional music in monotonous conditions, the following points must be taken into account:

Functional music is carried out throughout the work shift in the form of 6 - 10 programs of 10 - 20 minutes each. each; short (5 - 7 min.) musical breaks every 55 min. work plays the role of time intervals, with the help of which an 8-hour shift is subjectively divided into a number of intervals. Such fragmentation makes it easier for the operator to adapt to long-term work in conditions of rare receipt of significant information, especially on night shifts;

Music is selected taking into account current changes in the condition of workers and their performance curve;

Music programs must contain works of different genres. Their main content is pop and dance music. Popular, rhythmic and upbeat pieces are most effective;

Some of the programs can be composed of musical works at the request of employees.

It should be borne in mind that functional music has a positive effect only with the correct dosage of both the volume and duration of radio broadcasts. The system for broadcasting functional music provides for the presence in workshops of sound type MAS or 10-KZ; at high levels of industrial noise, reception of functional music broadcasts is carried out using noise suppressors of the VTSNIIOT type with TON-2 or TON-6 headphones built into them. To organize functional music, an appropriate technical base is needed, and qualified specialists are needed to prepare and conduct music programs. Detailed instructions for choosing music and its organization are given in the "Guidelines for the use of functional music in industrial enterprises." M., Research Institute of Labor, 1974.

A positive effect from the introduction of functional music was obtained at the Novomoskovsk association "Azot", the Perm Telephone Plant, the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory, the Riga "VEF" and the Radio Factory named after. A.S. Popov, Kharkov sewing association "Kharkov", Moscow perfume factory "New Dawn", Sevastopol plant, etc.

2.2.3.6. Use of outside information

and extraneous irritants

Increasing the body's performance when performing monotonous work can be achieved by using factors that have not only specific, but also nonspecific effects. The latter factors may include third-party information and third-party stimuli (functional lighting, light stimuli, etc.).

To maintain an optimal level of brain activation and create a certain amount of stimuli, which in conditions of monotonous work are in most cases insufficient, it is recommended to present additional information during work. Additional information creates a certain emotional background, which, even in conditions of extremely monotonous and primitive work, in addition to ensuring optimal performance and a positive attitude towards work, contributes to the further spiritual development of workers.

The information is used to improve the psychological state of workers engaged in assembly work, servicing semi-automatic machines, etc. Experience shows that if information is selected in such a way that its listening occurs against the background of moderate tension of voluntary attention, then workers perform even high-precision work in full accordance with the technological process.

Content of information: informative messages should be given on work topics of interest - current current events, production problems, popular science topics, art, sports, humor, etc. Programs should be designed in such a way that they appeal to workers and also contribute to their spiritual development. Interesting radio programs (for example, the Mayak radio program) can also be used as information. Information must be conveyed to the worker in such a way that it does not create additional background noise in the room that disturbs other workers for whom this information is not directly intended. To do this, it is recommended to equip the workshops with radio equipment in such a way that several sound channels are suitable for each workplace. Sound channels transmit specially prepared information from an enterprise's radio center or broadcast from a broadcast network. The sound source is a microtelephone, and in workshops with high noise levels - headsets. The worker himself must have the opportunity, in accordance with his condition at the moment, to choose the type, volume and duration of the transmission by connecting the headphone to one or another channel with volume control.

It is also recommended to use additional light stimuli to diversify the environment in which the labor process takes place. Functional lighting is additional general or local lighting, clearly felt by workers and turned on at certain periods of work to optimize performance. The latter is achieved by increasing the level of activation of the central nervous system, which is reduced under monotony conditions, as a result of:

Direct activating effect of increased illumination on the state of the central nervous system of workers;

Psychological diversity and orientation reactions in workers due to the unexpected occurrence of periods of increased illumination.

It is recommended to switch on the functional lighting for a short time (2 - 5 minutes) after 10 - 20 minutes. work, starting from the second hour of work. To ensure and maintain the effect of novelty and variety, the functional lighting program should be changed every 7 to 10 days.

To shorten the run-in period, it is recommended to turn on the functional lighting for 20 - 30 minutes. at the beginning of work and for 10 min. after every break in work.

To diversify the working situation, it is also recommended to use light stimuli - unexpected, short-term switching on several times during each hour of operation of light sources (screen, flashlight, etc.) that are in the field of view of the worker and emit a sufficiently clearly perceived, but not blinding, contrast light in the background.

2.2.4. Improving workplace organization

In conditions of monotonous work, the workplace must be organized taking into account the anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics of workers. This will allow you to achieve significant savings in both working time and energy costs by economizing movements and reducing tension in the muscles that support the working posture. To coordinate the workplace with the anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical capabilities of a person, taking into account the specifics of the labor process, we can recommend the system developed in the GDR (Leis G., Wünsch B. Parameters for adapting workplaces to a person. - In the book: Psychophysiological and aesthetic foundations of NOT . M., "Economics", 1971, pp. 334 - 352).

When organizing workplaces in order to reduce monotony, the following requirements must be observed:

Good visibility;

Freedom of movement;

Possibility of periodically changing the “sitting” position to the “standing” position;

The design and strength of work seats, armrests and footrests is such that it is possible to perform exercises with isometric muscle tension (such as tense bending) with support on the feet, elbows and the back of the head;

Optimal color background (colors - light green, blue, green), which has a beneficial effect on the human condition. When painting industrial premises, machinery and equipment, one should be guided by the “Instructions for the design of color finishing of the interior of industrial buildings of industrial enterprises, SN-181-70” (M., Stroyizdat, 1972);

Possibility of communication. To do this, the placement of workplaces must be such that workers can see each other while working.

2.2.5. Improvement of working environment conditions

Optimization of sanitary and hygienic factors is of great importance, because some of them (for example, lighting) are significant in determining the effectiveness of activities in the conditions of precision assembly work, and some (for example, noise) can increase the monotony of the situation.

Optimization of sanitary and hygienic conditions of the production environment includes:

Bringing hygienic conditions to standard values;

Increasing illumination to the upper limit of the norm provided for this class of work;

Elimination of individual environmental factors that increase the monotony of the situation. These include: constant or rhythmic background noise, room temperature above 20 ° C; stroboscopic effect (flickering) of fluorescent lamps.

In order to more effectively use regulated breaks, it is recommended:

Creation of specially equipped places for rest and eating near workplaces, but isolated from production premises;

Providing workers with household premises (showers, wardrobes, etc.);

Creation of mental hygiene rooms for autogenic training, relaxation exercises, hydro and vibration massage.

2.2.6. Psychological and socio-psychological factors

in the prevention of monotony

Since in most cases monotonous work, due to its content and working conditions, does not have the necessary attractiveness and does not contribute to the development of interest in the work performed, it is very important to increase motivation and interest in work through measures such as:

Promoting the importance of this work for the team, the enterprise and society as a whole, i.e. increasing the prestige of the profession;

Fostering a sense of collectivism and community at work and in non-work activities (amateur arts, physical education and sports, etc.);

Creation of integrated teams, holding production meetings, organizing socialist competition, exchanging experience and training in advanced labor techniques, encouraging leaders in labor, etc.;

Setting intermediate goals for workers by supplying the processed material or parts in fractional portions, creating visibility of the task being performed (filling out special cassettes, matrices, etc.);

Providing workers with current information about the progress of the work task (installation of counters or electronic displays with information about the production rate and its current implementation);

Application of a rational system of material incentives;

Providing growth prospects for young workers, i.e. the opportunity to move on to more interesting work in the future;

Providing mental relief in specially equipped psychological relief rooms.

2.2.7. Development of a career guidance system

with monotonous types of work

To ensure high labor efficiency in monotonous work, it is necessary to use workers most adapted to these types of work. A person’s suitability for monotonous work is determined by a set of psychophysiological requirements that reveal his resistance to monotony.

It must be taken into account that monotonous work is more easily tolerated by persons characterized by inertia of nervous processes, a predominance of external inhibition and internal excitation, and a weak type of nervous system. These characteristics are determined using special methods by qualified psychologists and physiologists.

Due to the fact that professions associated with monotony are quite common, in the process of career guidance it is necessary to explain the features and specifics of these types of work. When entering a job associated with monotony, it is necessary to train workers in ways and techniques to remove the influence of this factor. In addition, work is needed to increase the prestige and significance of these types of work.

In the career guidance system, it is necessary to more realistically orient young people towards certain characteristics (including monotony) of upcoming professions. The tendency to create a mass orientation towards intellectual, creative professions or professions associated with risk and adventure is erroneous. The task of vocational guidance is to explain the significance and value of extremely necessary ordinary professions, to introduce them to their specifics (including monotony) in terms of the psychophysiological impact on a person, and to teach ways to optimize the physiological state and performance. These measures contribute to the formation of a person’s real attitude to work, his awareness of his social significance, the correct choice of profession and the need for highly effective activities in it.

2.2.8. Using off-duty time to get promoted

human resistance to conditions of monotony and hypokinesia

The tasks of organizing free time are:

Compensation for unfavorable physiological changes (local overstrain, detraining of individual physiological systems - muscular and cardiovascular), which are consequences in conditions of monotony and hypokinesia;

Prevention and elimination of negative psychophysiological and socio-psychological consequences of the monotony of work (narrowing the range of interests, self-isolation and withdrawal, decreased social activity, etc.).

Free time should be used for:

Self-education and advanced training;

Participation in various forms of collective activities (social events, amateur arts, active forms of entertainment, etc.);

Physical education classes.

Physical education classes are an important factor in the prevention and elimination of physical detraining due to hypokinesia and physical inactivity in conditions of monotonous work. Depending on age, gender and health status, the dosage of physical exercise should be from 500 to 1000 kcal per day in young years and up to 200 - 300 kcal per day in the second half of life.

Checking the effectiveness of the set of these recommendations showed that they, to a certain extent, ensure the maintenance of a sufficient level of performance, increased productivity, improved quality of work, and a reduction in subjective complaints about boredom and the tedium of monotonous work.

However, for some types of monotonous work, these measures do not effectively combat the consequences of monotony. In these cases, new organizational, technological, and technical solutions are needed.

The association assists in providing services in the sale of timber: at competitive prices on an ongoing basis. Forest products of excellent quality.