Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.^[1]

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with designing according to human needs, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. ^[2] The field is also called human engineering, and human factors.

Ergonomic research is performed by those who study human capabilities in relationship to their work demands. Information derived from these studies contributes 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.^[3]

Contents

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• 1 Overview
  • 1.1 Five aspects of ergonomics
  • 1.2 Domains
• 2 History
• 3 Applications
  • 3.1 Design of ergonomics experiments
  • 3.2 Ergonomics in the workplace
• 4 Fields of ergonomics
  • 4.1 Engineering psychology
  • 4.2 Macroergonomics
  • 4.3 Seating Ergonomics
• 5 Organizations
• 6 See also
• 7 References
• 8 Further reading
• 9 Related software
• 10 External links