The application of ergonomics in enterprises is gaining in importance. Nowadays ergonomics in enterprises is addressed in a more technical manner. Therefore it is necessary to try to adapt generally applicable ergonomic practices to a technical perception. The result of this is a search for approaches that can be used as a link between technical and ergonomic perspectives of problems in the wor...

In Finland the role of the industrial designer has changed with time. When the professional practice of industrial design first started to form, the designer was a creator whose work was likened to that of the artist. In the sixties designers started to work in closer cooperation with the industry, and the designer became a member of a team together with the engineer and the marketing represent...

Managers usually associate ergonomics with occupational health and safety and related legislation, not with business performance. In many companies, these decision makers seem not to be positively motivated to apply ergonomics for reasons of improving health and safety. In order to strengthen the position of ergonomics and ergonomists in the business and management world, we discuss company str...

Today, both workers and management are concerned about the quality of work lives, ergonomics and occupational safety and health. New development such as information and communication technologies and specialized work requiring repetitive tasks add up to a need for Ergonomics. By examining, designing, testing and evaluating the work piece and how people interact in it, ergonomics can create prod...

This paper presents the case for the need for ‘Action Research’ (AR) approaches to gain understanding of how ergonomics considerations can best be integrated into the design of new work systems. The AR researchers work collaboratively with other stakeholders to solve a real-world problem: gaining insight into the problem and factors influencing solution building from an embedded position in the...

musculoskeletal disorders (msds) are important causes of work incapacity and loss of work days. msds are major problems in almost all countries and increasingly can be found in service industries such as maritime sector. this study aimed at evaluation of msds symptoms among crew of tugboats, dredgers, pilot boats and barges by using nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (nmq) and also determinat...

Ergonomics is a holistic discipline encompassing a wide range of special interest groups. The role of an ergonomics consultant is to provide integrated solutions to improve comfort, safety and productivity. In Australia, there are two types of consultants--generalists and specialists. Both have training in ergonomics but specialist knowledge may be the result of previous education or work exper...