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SEMI S8 (Ergonomics Engineering) Revision Approved

By Kevin Nguyen, SEMI HQ

SEMI S8-1116, Safety Guideline for Ergonomics Engineering of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, provides crucial ergonomics design principles and considerations for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.  Significant revisions to S8 were recently approved at the July 13, 2017 EHS NA TC Chapter meeting in San Francisco, CA in conjunction with SEMICON West. 

Ballot 5917A revises hand/arm clearances in Appendix 1, Supplier Ergonomic Success Criteria (SESC), and add new section for planning S8 evaluation. Detailed ballot cover the followings:

  • Revisions to dimensions provided in Appendix 1 SESC, Section 7 and provisions for ungloved and gloved conditions
  • New Related Information on additional hand/arm clearance recommendations on hand-held objects criteria
  • New Related Information to assist with determining what tasks are within the scope of an assessment to SEMI S8

The Ergonomics Task Force, led by Paul Schwab of Texas Instruments and Ron Macklin of Bureau Veritas NA, proposed these revisions.  The majority of the hand/arm clearance dimensions data were derived from US military research and ergonomic design specifications. Some of the original sources for the dimensions use metric units while others use US customary units. Ballot 5917A is currently being processed for publication.  The updated version of S8 should be available under the Safety Guidelines volume soon.

In addition, the Task Force is also working on a separate revision to SEMI S8 (Document 5996).  The proposal will address the following topics:

  • Multi-person lifts (team lifting)
  • One-handed handling
  • Torque and Push/Pull knobs/lever handles
  • Update/Clarification of conformance statement in Section 3.5 of SEMI S8
  • Expansion of Display section for modern technology (HD Displays) and User interface (GUI)
  • Considerations pertaining to an Aging workforce
  • Considerations for people with special needs or disabilities
  • Additional loading criteria for items other than wafer cassettes, including single reticle containers

Get Involved

SEMI Standards development activities take place throughout the year in all major manufacturing regions. To get involved, join the SEMI International Standards Program at: www.semi.org/standardsmembership.

If you would like to participate in the task force or have any questions about SEMI Standards activities, please contact Kevin Nguyen at [email protected] or phone 408.943.7997.

Standards Watch
SEMI
www.semi.org
September 21, 2017