These notes include the PowerPoint slides, class notes , and the textbook (Pearson/SU. 2018. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics. (1st edition).
Cape Town (South Africa), Pearson. This customised textbook is a Stellenbosch
University/Department of Industrial Psychology adaptation of: Gro...
INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY 262
Theme 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS (HFE)
● Understand and be able to define the two terms Human Factors and Ergonomics and explain
the often-subtle difference between them
● Explain the interdisciplinary nature of Human Factors and Ergonomics
● Appreciate the importance of a systems approach to understanding human factors and
ergonomics and the implications to the diagnosis of and interventions to HFE related
organizational problems and challenges
● Comprehend and explain the practical goals of the field of human factors and Ergonomics to
organizational performance and sustainability
● Be able to apply the scientific knowledge of ergonomics and human factors to the
understanding of industry problems and explain how this understanding can be used to
improve the design of organisational systems to enhance the field’s intended goals
● Understand the historical development of the field of human factors and Ergonomics and
appreciate the current trends and issues.
Theme resources
1. Pearson/SU. 2018. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics. (1st edition). Cape Town
(South Africa), Pearson. This customized textbook is a Stellenbosch University/Department
of Industrial Psychology adaptation of: Groover, M. P. (2014). Work Systems: The Methods,
Measurement and Management of Work (1st edition). London, Pearson – Chapter 1.
2. Any other material recommended by the lecturer.
3. Any additional readings uploaded on SUNLearn by the lecturer.
What is Ergonomics?
- Concerned with how humans integrate with the tools and equipment they use while
performing tasks and other activities
What are Human Factors?
Human factors commonly used term in the USA and ergonomics used in Europe
1
,Definition of Human Factors and Ergonomics
● The International Ergonomics Society (IEA) defines ergonomics (or human factors) as:
● the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and
other elements of a system
● the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design to optimize human
well-being and overall system performance
● it is generally accepted that Ergonomics and Human Factors are synonymous and... the historical
difference was that ergonomics emphasized work physiology and anthropometry, while human
factors emphasized experimental psychology and systems engineering. Book (pp 1)
● The two terms are usually used together as HFE to emphasize the broadness of the discipline.
● Ergonomics can be considered as the application of scientific information concerning humans to
the design of objects, systems, and environment for human use
● Sometimes referred to as engineering psychology.
Ergonomics can be applied to two main areas:
- Work system design
- product design
According to The Health and Safety Executive: UK industrial Safety Regulator the term human factors
refer to:
● environmental, organisational and job factors, and human and individual characteristics which
influence behavior at work in a way which can affect health and safety.
Organizational/ managerial Topic
1. Safety culture
2. Managerial leadership
3. Communication
workgroup/ team
4. Teamwork- structure/ process (dynamics)
5. Team leadership
2
, Individual worker
Cognitive (thinking) skills 6. Situation
7. Decision making
Personal resources 8. Stress
9. Fatigue
Work environment
Fitting the job to the person
- Bases of matching applitudes to a job
What can we learn from the definitions (maxims):
● The primary purpose of Human factors and Ergonomics(HFE) is design.
● In HFE, a systematic, interdisciplinary approach is necessary for design and analysis (of ???).
● Design
Work system design. This area is concerned with the interaction between worker and the equipment used
in the workplace. Objectives include safety, accident avoid- ance, and related performance attributes.
Work system design includes considera- tion of factors related to the work environment such as lighting
and noise levels.
Product design. This area deals with the design of products that are safer, more comfortable, and more
user-friendly and mistake-proof. In addition to providing greater customer satisfaction by means of these
kinds of features, an issue in product design is product liability lawsuits and their avoidance through
consider- ation of ergonomics.
Definition of Human Factors and Ergonomics
The HFE field is multi-disciplinary
Examples of discipline domains:
A. MEDICINE
● Cardiology
● Neuroscience
● Physical medicine
3
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