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What is "Ergonomics"?
The quotes below provide some answers.
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"Human
factors (ergonomics) is a body of knowledge about human abilities,
human limitations, and other human characteristics that are relevant to
design.
Human factors engineering (ergonomics implementation) is the
application of human factors information to the design of tools,
machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable,
and effective human use."
Chapanis, A. (1991). To communicate the
human factors message, you have to know what the message is and how to
communicate it, Hum Factors Soc Bull 34:1.
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"Also known as Human
Factors, ergonomics is a multi disciplinary science that focuses on the
needs of the human in the design of products, work processes and
technology systems.
...Ergonomics (or human factors) is the
scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions
among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that
applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
...Ergonomists
contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products,
environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the
needs, abilities and limitations of people.
...Ergonomics promotes a
holistic approach in which considerations of physical, cognitive,
social, organizational, environmental
and other relevant factors are
taken into account."
International Ergonomics Association (www.iea.cc)
A federation of the world's ergonomics societies
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"Ergonomics
is about 'fit': the fit between people, the things they do, the objects
they use and the environments they work, travel and play in. If good
fit is achieved, the stresses on people are reduced. They are more
comfortable, they can do things more quickly and easily, and they make
fewer mistakes."
The Ergonomics Society www.ergonomics.org.uk
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"Ergonomics is the design of products, places, and
processes for safe, effective, and efficient use by humans."
Valerie J. Berg Rice
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