In industry, understanding human factors and ergonomics is essential to optimize the interaction between workers and their environment, enabling safety, comfort, and efficiency in the workplace.
After all, what is ergonomics?
Ergonomics and human factors are disciplines that originated at the same time, in different places, and with similar objectives, though with slightly different applications. Over the years, the disciplines have become more aligned in their applicability, so that today, ergonomics and human factors associations and organizations refer to these disciplines as synonyms.
In Brazil, ergonomics gained prominence starting in the 1990s, when the regulatory standard No. 17 – Ergonomics was updated. The main contributing factor to this update was the “boom” of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) caused by the computerization of work activities. As a result, the standard included more detailed items focusing on furniture and factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries, although it also mentioned the main goal of ergonomics in item 17.1: “This Regulatory Standard aims to establish parameters that allow the adaptation of work conditions to the psychophysiological characteristics of workers, in order to provide maximum comfort, safety, and efficient performance.”
Consequently, ergonomics in Brazil became known as a discipline that evaluates posture and load lifting in the work environment, although these are just some of the factors assessed.
For the discipline of human factors, confusion arises due to the analogy made by much of the population, which limits its application to the human being and their individual factors that can impact work activities.
As described in the definition of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA, 2020), and also used by ABERGO, “ergonomics or human factors (HF/E) is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding the interactions between 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.”
In other words, ergonomics or human factors is the science of work (Ergo = work in Greek, nomia = laws, procedures in Greek) that seeks to understand all the factors related to work activity in order to transform it to enhance comfort, safety, and productivity.
For this reason, ergonomics assessments should not be limited to biomechanical issues, nor should human factors be limited to the conditions for performing a task. The discipline should have an integrated view, as shown in Figure 1. It is observed that, for ease of understanding, ergonomics is divided into three main fields: cognitive, organizational, and physical.
Figure 1. Fatores Humanos/Ergonomia (FH/E), uma visão integrada de diferentes domínios de especialização.
Source: ABERGO
Cognitive ergonomics deals with the mental processes involved during work activities, such as perception, memory, decision-making, and motor responses, in relation to interactions between people and other components of a system.
Organizational ergonomics addresses the organizational structure, rules, processes, how the activity is planned, whether it is done individually or in teams, work goals, whether it occurs in person or remotely, and communication among all involved.
Finally, and equally important, physical ergonomics focuses on furniture, equipment, layout, environmental aspects, and the anthropometric and biomechanical characteristics of workers during work activities.
Some definitions of human factors divide the fields into organizational, technological, and individual factors. However, these factors address the same themes, only changing the way the three main areas are presented and grouped.
2. Application
According to the IEA, the principles and methodologies of participatory HFE design apply to the design of tasks, jobs, products, environments, industries, and types of work. (IEA)
As mentioned earlier, the development of ergonomics and human factors share the same goal: to analyze work. However, there are different approaches and methods, which can sometimes be applied in a complementary manner.
The application of ergonomics can occur in the following ways:
2.1. Activity Ergonomics
Activity ergonomics has its origins in French-speaking countries and is characterized by the analysis of actual work activities. It is necessary to observe and analyze all factors related to the work activity in order to understand it and transform it, paraphrasing the title of the book that presents this methodology by Guérin (2002). In other words, the evaluation takes place in real work situations.
Until recently, it was common to refer to ergonomics applied in existing environments and activities as “corrective ergonomics.” However, this distinction is no longer used because “correcting” the problems found inherently involves some level of conceptualization.
For this evaluation, the three fields of ergonomics—physical, cognitive, and organizational—are present. For example, if we take the activity of a crane operator on an offshore platform (Figure 2), in this analyzed situation, we need to listen to and observe the difficulties and/or risks the worker faces in order to propose improvements focused on health, safety, and productivity.
Figure 2. Atividade do operador de guindaste
Source: Author
One should analyze the equipment used, the type of chair, and the location of control devices and interfaces. Do temperature, lighting, or noise affect the execution of the activity at any point during the day, such as glare from natural light? During the activity, does the crane operator manage to see the load, or does he depend on spotters to pass the instructions via radio? How many workers are involved in the area for moving the load? Do wind and tide conditions (movement of the vessel) cause any restrictions during the activity, or do they require more attention? Does the operator know the equipment and the unit? Does he know how to act in case of an emergency? Is there a deadline for the activity? Do the crane cabin communication devices work properly, clearly, and with an adequate volume? In short, it is necessary to listen to the difficulties and observe the operator during execution in order to build improvement proposals together with workers and leadership.
2.2. Design Ergonomics
In the 1980s, several accidents in chemical and nuclear industries helped highlight the importance of incorporating ergonomics into the design process. Especially in Europe, investments in process automation were transforming work situations without considering the human competencies needed to carry out the activities.
In this context, the need arose to incorporate real work into the reflection on design, where ergonomics acts by promoting the alignment between real work and the designed situation. Based on the premise that one must understand work to transform it, the main strategy for generating knowledge about work is the Ergonomic Work Analysis (AET).
However, when conducting an AET in a given work situation aiming for the design of a new operational condition, modifying the working conditions necessarily also modifies the activity. This issue is referred to as the “ergonomics design paradox.”
To overcome this methodological limitation, the ergonomist can resort to several resources, which may include: the implementation of participatory design approaches, analysis of reference situations, identification of characteristic action situations, simulation exercises, among others.
Nevertheless, even with the use of the mentioned resources, it is impossible to fully predict future activity, as one cannot foresee all the variabilities that will impact the work, nor all the reasoning of the operators who will work in the future situation. Therefore, what ergonomics seeks during the design process is primarily to predict maneuvering margins for future operational modes.
2.3. Product Ergonomics
Also, in the field of product development, ergonomics should be considered from the beginning of the design process, integrating the physiological, cognitive, and emotional characteristics of users to create safer, more comfortable, and efficient solutions. It is important to note that a product can be an object, equipment, or work interface.
The design of a product should focus on the end-user, adapting the product to their needs, capabilities, and limitations. Well-designed products not only increase efficiency but also ensure they are intuitive and easy to use, reducing errors and frustrations. To achieve this, it becomes necessary to involve users, identify usability criteria, and set goals based on the users’ experiences.
2.4. Neuroergonomics
The development of new technologies and their application in neuroscience has contributed to ergonomics by enhancing knowledge about human factors and their various aspects, thus creating a field of knowledge where these two disciplines work together, called neuroergonomics. Neuroergonomics seeks to understand human factors using neuroscience tools to extract data on neural activity, focus of activity, and/or reactions related to increased stress.
Technology has developed to the point where the use of equipment, such as portable Electroencephalography (EEG) (Figure 3), no longer needs to be confined to a laboratory environment and can now be used during the execution of some activities.
Figure 3. Eletroencefalograma portátil (EMOTIV©)
The equipment that can be used by workers during the execution of tasks is called wearables. In a loose translation, they are referred to as “wearables,” meaning the worker uses the equipment during the execution of the activity. This way, it is possible to identify moments in the activity that require focus or increase the worker’s stress, as well as the contributing factors.
In addition to EEG, there are eye tracking glasses (Figure 4). These glasses allow monitoring the worker’s visual focus during the execution of their tasks, giving the ergonomist a view of the work activity from the worker’s perspective, thus helping identify the factors involved in the work activity.
Figure 4. Óculos de rastreio visual (Pupil Labs©)
In other words, neuroergonomics is the use of neuroscience tools to contribute to the analysis of activities or the design of new products or environments, aiming to improve conditions for users and/or performers of a given product or activity.
Ergonomics in Brazil
In Brazil, as previously mentioned, the government has Regulatory Standard No. 17 – Ergonomics, which requires companies to conduct ergonomic evaluations.
After the last revision of the standard in 2022, the method of analysis is not specified for companies, as long as they conduct a preliminary ergonomic analysis (PEA). However, the company must carry out an Ergonomic Work Analysis (AET), which is a method of evaluating Activity Ergonomics, when: the result of the PEA suggests a deeper analysis; there are demands arising from worker health monitoring; or it is indicated due to work conditions in accident or work-related illness investigations.
The practice of ergonomics is not restricted to one profession but rather applies to multidisciplinary professionals. However, it should be carried out by qualified professionals with formal training. Therefore, in addition to having in-depth knowledge in their area of expertise, professionals need sufficient knowledge to address relevant elements of ergonomics. This implies a broad understanding of other areas of ergonomics as well.
Referências
- ABERGO. O que é ergonomia. Disponível em: <O que é Ergonomia | ABERGO>
- BRASIL. Norma Regulamentadora 17: Ergonomia. Portaria MTP n.º 4.219, de 20 de dezembro de 2022 22/12/22. Diário Oficial da União, Brasília, 2022. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/trabalho-e-emprego/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/participacao-social/conselhos-e-orgaos-colegiados/comissao-tripartite-partitaria-permanente/arquivos/normas-regulamentadoras/nr-17-atualizada-2022.pdf
- DANIELLOU, F. (1998). Participation, représentation, décision dans l’intervention ergonomique. Actes des Journées de Bordeaux sur la Pratique de l’Ergonomie. Bordeaux: Editions du Laboratoire d’Ergonomie des Systèmes Complexes de l’Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2. pp. 2-15.
- DANIELLOU, F.. Métodos em Ergonomia de concepção: a análise de situações de referência e a simulação do trabalho. In: Francisco José de Castro Moura Duarte. (Org.). Ergonomia e Projetos Industriais de Processo Contínuo. Rio de Janeiro: Lucerna, 2002, v. , p. 29-33.
- DANIELLOU, F. “A ergonomia na condução de projetos de concepção de sistemas de trabalho”. In: FALZON, P. (Ed.). Ergonomia. São Paulo, Blucher, 2007.
- FALZON, P. Ergonomia. São Paulo, Blucher, 2007.
- GUÉRIN, F. et al. Compreender o trabalho para transformá-lo: A prática da ergonomia. 1a ed. São Paulo, Editora Edgard Blücher, 2002.
- IEA. What Is Ergonomics?. (2020). Disponível em: <https://iea.cc/what-is-ergonomics/>.
- IIDA, Itiro. Ergonomia: projeto e produção. 2. ed. São Paulo: Edgard Blücher, 2005.
- PARASURAMAN, R.; RIZZO, M. Neuroergonomics: The Brain at Work. Oxford University Press, New York. 2007.
- PIRES, E.; CARUZO, M. NEUROERGONOMIA: UM DIÁLOGO ENTRE AS NEUROCIÊNCIAS E A ERGONOMIA. Boletim Interfaces da Psicologia da UFRuralRJ, Seropédica, v. 5,: pp.147-162, 2021 ISSN 1983 – 5507. Acesso em: 29/06/2022 Disponível em: http://costalima.ufrrj.br/index.php/bipsi/article/view/1061
- Read, G.J.M., Salmon, P.M., Goode, N., & Lenné, M.G. (2018). A sociotechnical design toolkit for bridging the gap between systems‐based analyses and system design. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries,28(6), 327-341.
- THEUREAU, J., PINSKY L. (1984) Paradoxe de l’ergonomie de conception et logiciel informatique. Revue des Conditions de Travail, 9, 25-31.
- OIT. Principles and Guidelines for HF/E Design and Management of Work Systems. (2019) Joint Document by IEA and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
