Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What aspect of workplace design does ergonomics specifically aim to improve?

1. Safety measures

2. Profitability

3. Employee comfort

4. Architectural aesthetics

The correct answer is: Employee comfort

Ergonomics specifically aims to improve employee comfort by designing workplace environments that accommodate the physical needs and capabilities of workers. This focus on comfort helps to reduce strain and fatigue, ultimately leading to greater productivity and job satisfaction. By considering factors such as posture, repetitive motion, and workspace layout, ergonomics seeks to create a more efficient and comfortable working environment which can prevent injuries and promote well-being. While safety measures, profitability, and architectural aesthetics are important elements of workplace design, they are not the primary focus of ergonomics. Safety measures might overlap with ergonomic practices, but ergonomics specifically aims to enhance personal comfort and usability for the employee. Profitability can improve as a secondary effect of increased comfort and productivity, but it is not the main goal of ergonomics. Similarly, while architectural aesthetics contribute to the visual appeal of the workplace, it does not directly relate to the ergonomic principles centered on the comfort and efficiency of employee interactions with their work environment.