378 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— J. 



were a machine, it would be necessary to eliminate or reduce this unproductive time. 

 The psychologist, however, must consider whether this pause is, or is not, serving 

 some useful purpose in giving adequate rest to the workers' efforts. 



A time study directs attention successively to important features in a cycle of 

 operations, and the completed study gives a picture of such a cycle. It is essential 

 to estimate from the picture so obtained what points are of fundamental importance 

 before proceeding with a detailed study of a portion of the cycle. Thus it may be 

 important first to reduce the strain which may be imposed on a worker owing to 

 unnecessarily divided attention, or to the faulty supply of material, and then proceed 

 to a more detailed study of, for example, finger movements. 



During movement study it is important to determine what movements are 

 unnecessary. From a mechanical point of view many movements which a worker 

 makes appear to be quite unnecessary. Yet from a psychological and physiological 

 point of view these movements may be useful to give relaxation, to assist in the 

 blood flow, or to fill in some portion of a rhythm or cycle of movements. Instances 

 occur in which fatigue may be lessened by actually increasing the number of move- 

 ments made. 



In order to ascertain whether the increased rate of working produced as a result 

 of movement study is likely to be beneficial to the worker in the long run and is 

 not a mere temporary speeding up, the Industrial Psychologist time-studies the 

 altered method of working, and from the work curve obtained he estimates the true 

 value of the new method. 



Time studies of a group working on a series of operations often indicate inequalities 

 of effort. One or more members of the group may be unduly pressed and the 

 Industrial Psychologist attempts to equalise the strain by regrouping or subdividing 

 operations and redistributing duties. 



Time and movement study enables the Industrial Psychologist to ascertain where 

 human energy is being misapplied and to correct these. It also provides the means 

 of checking the value of alterations which may be introduced to avoid waste and 

 undue fatigue. 



Mr. S. Wyatt. — Machine Speeds and Output. 



Mr. J. A. Fraser.— The Value of Stoppage Analysis with special reference 

 to Weaving. 



Voluntary and Involuntary Stoppages. — The number, duration and distribution of 

 voluntary stoppages may reflect upon working capacity at different times throughout 

 the day, and may also throw light upon the way in which the worker is affected by 

 changes in environmental conditions. A study of involuntary stoppages may give 

 information as to the effect upon efficiency of such factors as method of organisation, 

 type of machinery, quality of material, &c. 



The Stoppage Analysis in Weaving. — Here we are dealing mainly with unavoidable 

 loom stoppages. The ability of the weaver is largely dependent upon the speed with 

 which she performs certain standard operations. When loom stoppages occur, a 

 study is made of the nature and duration of each loom stoppage. Thus, in weaving, 

 a stoppage analysis is virtually a ' time-study.' Some stoppages, however, may be 

 due to factors such as carelessness on the part of the weaver, desire for relaxation, &c, 

 and those same causes may be responsible for undue prolongation of loom stoppages. 

 A stoppage analysis in weaving may provide data upon which to base (a) an explana- 

 tion of variations in efficiency throughout the day ; (6) a study of the relative efficiency 

 of different methods adopted by weavers with a view to selecting the most efficient 

 methods and training young weavers accordingly ; (c) conclusions as to the special 

 abilities which underlie efficiency in weaving with a view to framing a scheme of 

 selection ; (d) conclusions as to the effect upon efficiency of the mechanical factor, 

 quality of the warp and the weft, method of organising supplies ; (e) evidence as to 

 the effect upon the worker and upon the yarn of changes in environmental conditions 

 such as temperature and humidity. 



Selection and Training. — Classification of abilities necessary to efficiency in weaving. 

 Some principles of method underlying efficiency in weaving. Suggestions as to 

 selection tests. A joint scheme of selection and training. 



