What is Ergonomics? Literally, the word ergonomics means the science or study of work, but its applications extend well beyond the workplace to also improve human performance and well-being at home and at play. Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity, safety, comfort and human performance by fitting equipment, technology, tasks, and environments to the physical, mental and social abilities of people. Human factors, or human factors engineering, is another way to describe ergonomics. The terminology is considered interchangeable by many professionals. Whatever you call it, at its core, it is a human-centered approach to the design of products, equipment, workplaces, methods, processes, systems, or virtually any human endeavor. Anything that involves people can be improved through ergonomics. Top
What do Ergonomists do? In general, ergonomics professionals (ergonomists) seek to optimize system and human performance by improving the fit between people, technology, tasks and operating environments. Ergonomists use information about people (such as body dimensions, weight, strength, their ability to handle information and make decisions, their ability to see and hear and their ability to perform in different environments) to make human activities effective, sustainable, fulfilling, and safe. An ergonomist studies the way these things vary in a group of people. With this information, the ergonomist ensures that a product or service will perform as intended. This design must be for the whole range of people who use the product or service – including perhaps, children, the elderly and the disabled. An ergonomist can also assess existing products and services, identifying where they fail to ‘fit’ the user(s) — in every sense of the word — and recommending how that fit can be improved. Top
Who is Ergoweb? Ergoweb® Inc. is a company that provides ergonomics software solutions and consulting and training services. We were established January 1, 1995 to market, distribute, maintain, and improve the software products resulting from research in the Ergonomics and Design group at the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 1992 the group began developing an extensive compilation of ergonomics knowledge and computerized methods used in proactive design environments. Foreseeing the potential in the Internet and World Wide Web, the we began developing an extensive web-based system, which soon became known to our world-wide audience as “The place for ergonomics.” Learn more about Ergoweb Inc. Top
What is the purpose of ergonomics in the workplace? The goals of a comprehensive workplace ergonomics strategy include: Improve individual and organizational productivity Reduce errors and improve quality Reduce systematic waste Reduce injuries Reduce absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover Improve human and organizational performance, sustainability and well-being An effective ergonomics process produces significant returns on investment across multiple business functions and metrics. Top
What is the purpose of ergonomics in product and equipment design? A general term for ergonomics in product and equipment design is usability. The more “usable” a product, the more “ergonomic” that product is. But it’s never that simple, and what may be ergonomic for one person, may not be for another. That’s why ergonomists apply a systematic, human-centered approach to design that considers at least three primary perspectives: Who is the target user population, and what are the characteristics of that population? Depending on the product, those population characteristics might include age, experience, size (height, reach length, weight, etc.), strength, cognitive abilities, sensory abilities (vision, hearing, etc.), or any number of characteristics important to the particular design. What is the intended use, as well as foreseeable uses and mis-uses, for the product? In other words, what tasks or activities will it be used in, and how will this product enhance performance, and protect the user from harm, while performing those tasks? What is the intended environment of use, as well as other foreseeable environments of use? Will the product be operated indoors or out? Will it be wet or dry? What will the lighting be like? Will there be dirt, dust or other contaminants? And so on. Ergonomists take a holistic design approach that balances product form and function to provide a fit that optimizes performance, under well understood usage scenarios, by a well understood population of target users. Products that undergo this human-centered, ergonomic design approach, are far more likely to acheive a positive user experience. Companies that deploy products that enhace user experience and performace are likely to meet with greater market success. Top
What is the purpose of ergonomics in process and service design? If you’ve read the above descriptions of ergonomics and its applications, you’ll recognize a pattern of benefits, all of which create improvements in individual and organizational performance, sustainability and well-being. This same human-centered, systematic approach can be applied to any design activity, including the design of any process. Customer service processes are great examples. Ergonomics can be applied to improve the ability of staff to deliver exemplary service, and it can be applied to enhance the customer experience while receiving that service. Ultimately, better performing employees deliver better customer service, and better customer service equates to higher customer satisfaction, all of which leads to better company performance. Top
How does one become certified in the field of Ergonomics? The BCPE, or Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics, is the premier certification organization for ergonomics professionals, particularly in the USA. Some businesses have also begun to offer and charge for certificates. However, buyer beware, as few if any of them are recognized as credible certifications in the marketplace. Certain countries and global regions also have recognized certification organizations, including: CCCPE, or Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists CREE, or Center for Registration of European Ergonomists HFESA, or Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia ABERGO, or Associacao Brasileira de Ergonomia (Brazil) JES, or Japan Ergonomics Society HFESNZ, or Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand Top
Universities offering Ergonomics Programs Ergoweb maintains a list of Universities from around the world that provide course work or degrees in ergonomics and human factors. List of University based ergonomics and Human Factors programs Top
Are there any ergonomic standards or guidelines? Yes. Please visit our ergonomics standards and guidelines section. Top
Where can I find additional ergonomics information? The ergoweb.com site contains thousands of pages of ergonomics content. You can browse or use key-word searches. Enter a word or phrase in the search box and everything from user discussions, how-to articles, research reviews, journals, books, and products may be returned. If you still have questions, please feel free to call us toll free at 1.888.374.6932 to consult with a professional ergonomist. Top
