Engineering Human Factors in the Workplace

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Human factors engineering is part of the field of ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of how individuals are affected by environmental factors (both physical and social), task factors, technology, and the organization. Human factors engineering, is specifically concerned with how people interact with and are affected by the physical environment, especially tools and equipment. In human factors engineering, principles of industrial engineering as well as industrial/organizational psychology are combined.

Human factors engineers strive to make jobs easier and safer through improved designs of the physical work area. The physical work area consists of the tools and machines in the area as well as the environmental conditions (lighting, noise, and temperature). Human factors engineering can be applied in many designs including everything from cars and grocery stores to semiconductor plants. However, it is most commonly applied in the work environment since work conditions are federally mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

When designing a work environment and the machines and tools in it, two major areas are addressed. Specifically, how the information is presented to the employee and the manipulation of the machine or tool by the employee. These areas are assessed when dealing with the following topics in human factors engineering:

Design and Organization of Workstations - The physical design of workstations and machines including standing or sitting workstations, table or desk height, choice of chairs and where tools are placed on a workstation. Also includes where workstations are located in relation to other workstation and equipment in the workplace.

Handtools - The design of handtools which makes it easier to accomplish the job, such as specialized tool, power tools, grip on tools, and tools which reduce repetitive motion.

Linkages - How people interface with the machines and the allocation of tasks between humans and machines.

Controls - Choosing the appropriate controls to command machines. The process consists of selecting the proper type (size and shape) of control and the proper control characteristics (amount of control movement and force).

Displays - Designing passive displays, with alphanumeric characters, and active displays, instruments. Also involves arrangement of characters and symbols, size and shape, and location and arrangement of displays.

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By applying human factors engineering principles at the work place both the employee and employer benefit. The employee will have a reduction of physical stress and feel safer on the job. As a result, employeers will be happy since employees will be more productive and errors will be reduced. However, it is important to remember human factors engineering works best when applied through a full ergonomics program. A complete ergonomics program addresses the physical environment as well as social factors, the individual's personal factors, and organizational factors including scheduling and training.

Other related links:

Bad designs

Human Factors Engineering

Determining ergonomic needs

Ergonomic services