F.R Gilbirth and Lilian Gilbirth have developed certain principles of motion economy or motion mindedness. There are seventeen basic work motions called Therbligs, identified and recorded by F.R Gilbirth. Efficiency of a worker can be improved if these principles are applied. The worker who is motion minded is aware about needed motions and plans her work accordingly. She works in such a way that her body is resting while her both hands work rhythmically from right to left. The important principles of motion economy are:
Use both hand in unison.
Arranging the work place in such a way that back and forth walking is reduced. Each job is done in three parts- get ready, start and finish. Plan should be made ahead of time for each part in order to reduce total distance walked during the job.
Use smaller movements of hand than large handand arms motion and use smooth movement than jerky ones, whenever possible.
Motion against gravity are slower than those towards gravity, eg: cutting vegetable on board than cutting in air.
Using proper postures while working is very important.
The various techniques used to study the work and simplification methods are discussed in the next chapter.
Participants