Ergonomics - more than DSE and Manual Handling
Everyone involved in Health and Safety is aware of the legislative requirements for DSE Assessments and Manual Handling Assessments. However, ergonomics (human factors) goes much further than this in its overall aims to develop safe workplaces, work practices and systems to support people at work. It has also developed a role in terms of helping to ensure the accessibility and usability of places and products outside the work context.
Within occupational ergonomics there are 3 domains of specialisation:
- physical ergonomics - which is mainly concerned with anatomy, physiology and human dimensions (topics include posture analysis, manual handling, musculoskeletal disorders, work physiology, environmental ergonomics and physical workplace design).
- cognitive ergonomics - which is concerned with mental process including perception and information processing. (Themes included in this topic are mental workload, decision making, skilled performance and human-computer interaction.)
- organisational ergonomics where the aim is to optimise complex socio-technical systems (including issues of teamwork, cooperative work, telework and quality management).
All three domains are not mutually exclusive and, when workplaces are being designed, it often involves expertise in all three.
The IOM has contributed hugely to ergonomics research, knowledge and practice in the UK. This has included work in the area of PPE, heat stress, mental stress and well-being, musculoskeletal disorders and user-interaction with equipment workplaces and workplace design. As a result of new ways of working, research is also continuing on remote and mobile workers, the ageing workforce and mental wellbeing at work. Ergonomists have also contributed to the development British, European and International Standards including a number relating to working in the heat and cold, the ergonomics of PPE, and system design in ergonomics.
In addition to research, IOM ergonomists have been involved in a variety of consulting projects to aid businesses in developing safer workplaces and work systems to reduce the physical and mental pressures on individual workers. Furthermore, staff take an evidence-based approach and the use of best practice to solve workplace problems. Recent work has included the development of specialist vehicle risk assessments to ensure drivers can choose and adjust their vehicles to sit comfortably and safely at work; expert reporting for legal cases; strategic reviews of shift work; ergonomic aspects of PPE; and specialist workplace assessments for individuals returning to work after illness or injury. Transfer of knowledge is also important and the ergonomists at IOM offer bespoke training in-line with business requirements.
The role of ergonomics in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is vital and broader than the DSE and Manual Handling legislative requirements. The committed team at IOM can offer expert help to aid workplace design and layout, design workplaces, work and work systems to reduce physical and psychosocial risk factors.
In 2009, the Ergonomics Society is celebrating 60 years of contributing to ergonomics in the UK. Although IOM ergonomists have not been around for quite as long (about 40!) we do have many years of experience and expertise which we can bring to bear to help solve a wide variety of problems in the workplace.