OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSIn recent years, various upper limb exoskeletons have been developed aiming to support industrial workers for a range of tasks and reduce risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Most commercially available upper limb exoskeletons are passive systems that use compliant elements such as springs or elastic components to store and release energy to assist the user's motion. In contrast, many active exoskeletons, which are typically comprised of one or more powered actuators to provide joint assistance, are still in the research and development stages. Nevertheless, the functions and efficacy of various exoskeleton systems need to be further compared and assessed. This study presents a model-based approach to evaluate different designs of passive and active assistance and demonstrates the benefits of both assistance methods in an overhead lifting task. In addition, the modeling and simulation indicate the potential advantages of using the active assistance, based on electromyography.
{"title":"Model-Based Comparison of Passive and Active Assistance Designs in an Occupational Upper Limb Exoskeleton for Overhead Lifting.","authors":"Xianlian Zhou, Liying Zheng","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSIn recent years, various upper limb exoskeletons have been developed aiming to support industrial workers for a range of tasks and reduce risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Most commercially available upper limb exoskeletons are passive systems that use compliant elements such as springs or elastic components to store and release energy to assist the user's motion. In contrast, many active exoskeletons, which are typically comprised of one or more powered actuators to provide joint assistance, are still in the research and development stages. Nevertheless, the functions and efficacy of various exoskeleton systems need to be further compared and assessed. This study presents a model-based approach to evaluate different designs of passive and active assistance and demonstrates the benefits of both assistance methods in an overhead lifting task. In addition, the modeling and simulation indicate the potential advantages of using the active assistance, based on electromyography.</p>","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 3-4","pages":"167-185"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8789934/pdf/nihms-1736018.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39178891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe present a practical method for minimizing low-back cumulative loading that leverages digital human modeling capabilities and optimization using an evolutionary algorithm. We demonstrate use of the method in a simulated lifting task. Our results show that this method is robust to different routines for calculating cumulative loading. The proposed method can aid ergonomics engineers in addressing a potential risk factor early in the design stage, even in the absence of an established threshold limit value, and it provides a time saving by eliminating the need to adjust workplace parameters across many design possibilities.
{"title":"Minimizing Low Back Cumulative Loading during Design of Manual Material Handling Tasks: An Optimization Approach.","authors":"Sivan Almosnino, Jessica Cappelletto","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe present a practical method for minimizing low-back cumulative loading that leverages digital human modeling capabilities and optimization using an evolutionary algorithm. We demonstrate use of the method in a simulated lifting task. Our results show that this method is robust to different routines for calculating cumulative loading. The proposed method can aid ergonomics engineers in addressing a potential risk factor early in the design stage, even in the absence of an established threshold limit value, and it provides a time saving by eliminating the need to adjust workplace parameters across many design possibilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 3-4","pages":"124-133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39760398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSStarting with the first part of a guideline in 2001, a group of experts and the associated guideline committee of the German Association of Engineers (VDI) began with the production-logistical evaluation of human work related to simulation procedures and Digital Factory tools. This VDI guideline 3633 part 6 dealt with the first macro-ergonomic procedures available. Published in 2015, in VDI guideline 4499 part 4, micro-ergonomic problems related to human stress from work task were added. Nowadays, the still missing micro-ergonomic evaluation of effects by the work environment is on the way to be published as VDI guideline 4499 part 5. This article deals with these developments, which are considered state of the art in Germany at least at the time of their publication. In addition, some examples illustrate proven possibilities, but existing gaps are also discussed.
职业应用从2001年指南的第一部分开始，一组专家和德国工程师协会(VDI)的相关指南委员会开始对与模拟程序和数字工厂工具相关的人类工作进行生产物流评估。VDI指南3633第6部分处理了第一个可用的宏观人体工程学程序。在2015年发布的VDI指南4499 part 4中，增加了与人类工作任务压力相关的微观人体工程学问题。目前，仍然缺失的工作环境影响的微观人体工程学评价正在作为VDI指南4499第5部分发布。本文涉及这些发展，这些发展至少在其出版时在德国被认为是最先进的。此外，一些例子说明了已证实的可能性，但也讨论了现有的差距。
{"title":"Guidelines of the German Association of Engineers for Evaluating Human Work in the Digital Factory.","authors":"G Zülch","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSStarting with the first part of a guideline in 2001, a group of experts and the associated guideline committee of the German Association of Engineers (VDI) began with the production-logistical evaluation of human work related to simulation procedures and Digital Factory tools. This VDI guideline 3633 part 6 dealt with the first macro-ergonomic procedures available. Published in 2015, in VDI guideline 4499 part 4, micro-ergonomic problems related to human stress from work task were added. Nowadays, the still missing micro-ergonomic evaluation of effects by the work environment is on the way to be published as VDI guideline 4499 part 5. This article deals with these developments, which are considered state of the art in Germany at least at the time of their publication. In addition, some examples illustrate proven possibilities, but existing gaps are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 3-4","pages":"223-232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39349976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSDigital human models have been widely used in occupational biomechanics assessments to prevent potential injury risks, such as automotive assembly lines, box lifting, patient repositioning, and the mining industry. Motion prediction is one of the important capabilities in digital human models, and collision avoidance is involved in human motion prediction. We propose an algorithm that will ensure human motions are predicted realistically, and finally, use of this algorithm could help enhance the accuracy of injury risk assessments using digital human models.
{"title":"A Collision Avoidance Algorithm for Human Motion Prediction Based on Perceived Risk of Collision: Part 1-Model Development.","authors":"James Yang, Brad Howard, Juan Baus","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSDigital human models have been widely used in occupational biomechanics assessments to prevent potential injury risks, such as automotive assembly lines, box lifting, patient repositioning, and the mining industry. Motion prediction is one of the important capabilities in digital human models, and collision avoidance is involved in human motion prediction. We propose an algorithm that will ensure human motions are predicted realistically, and finally, use of this algorithm could help enhance the accuracy of injury risk assessments using digital human models.</p>","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 3-4","pages":"199-210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39368965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.1997836
Justine M. Y. Chim, Tienli Chen
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS An office ergonomics program was implemented at a multinational company in Hong Kong. The FITS Model office ergonomics program included four components: (1) F: Furniture Evaluation and Selection, wherein the ergonomist conducted a walkthrough review of furniture and environmental settings; (2) I: Individual Workstation Assessment, in which the office ergonomics guideline and educational video were developed. An interactive individual ergonomics workstation assessment included a health survey, and the assessor provided immediate recommendations for changes to workstation setup; (3) T: Training and Education; and (4) S: Stretching Exercises and Rest Breaks, which entailed classroom training to promote office ergonomics principles and demonstrate office stretching exercises. A case study is described, included the steps to implement the program and highlights of the feedback from the project team gathered during mid-term and final evaluations. Lessons learned regarding program management and the limitations of the project intervention offer useful information for practitioners and companies.
{"title":"Implementation of an Office Ergonomics Program to Promote Musculoskeletal Health: A Case Study in Hong Kong","authors":"Justine M. Y. Chim, Tienli Chen","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.1997836","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.1997836","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS An office ergonomics program was implemented at a multinational company in Hong Kong. The FITS Model office ergonomics program included four components: (1) F: Furniture Evaluation and Selection, wherein the ergonomist conducted a walkthrough review of furniture and environmental settings; (2) I: Individual Workstation Assessment, in which the office ergonomics guideline and educational video were developed. An interactive individual ergonomics workstation assessment included a health survey, and the assessor provided immediate recommendations for changes to workstation setup; (3) T: Training and Education; and (4) S: Stretching Exercises and Rest Breaks, which entailed classroom training to promote office ergonomics principles and demonstrate office stretching exercises. A case study is described, included the steps to implement the program and highlights of the feedback from the project team gathered during mid-term and final evaluations. Lessons learned regarding program management and the limitations of the project intervention offer useful information for practitioners and companies.","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"96 - 105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43326495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.2006361
R. Pikaar, D. Caple
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS The aims of human factors Practitioner Case sessions at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) triennial world congress are to learn from cases, give feedback to researchers, and market ergonomics. Human Science research and Human Factor/Ergonomics are different activities. Both disciplines are equally important for the IEA community. However, in practice, there is a gap to bridge between both disciplines. A practitioner case concerns actual interventions in work situations or work systems. A Practitioner Case study is a report on the systematic design, or redesign, and implementation of a work system. This article summarizes the Practitioner Track of the IEA2021 congress, as well as earlier comparable events. Along two lines, conclusions are drawn: (1) There are good reasons to publish case material; and (2) Research challenges arise as a consequence of real case studies.
{"title":"Challenges to Engaging Human Factors/Ergonomics Practitioners to Publish and Present Case Studies","authors":"R. Pikaar, D. Caple","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.2006361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.2006361","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS The aims of human factors Practitioner Case sessions at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) triennial world congress are to learn from cases, give feedback to researchers, and market ergonomics. Human Science research and Human Factor/Ergonomics are different activities. Both disciplines are equally important for the IEA community. However, in practice, there is a gap to bridge between both disciplines. A practitioner case concerns actual interventions in work situations or work systems. A Practitioner Case study is a report on the systematic design, or redesign, and implementation of a work system. This article summarizes the Practitioner Track of the IEA2021 congress, as well as earlier comparable events. Along two lines, conclusions are drawn: (1) There are good reasons to publish case material; and (2) Research challenges arise as a consequence of real case studies.","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"67 - 71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44903252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.1966131
S. Mallam, K. Nordby, Per Haavardtun, Hanna Nordland, Tine Viveka Westerberg
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Social distancing restrictions imposed by the global outbreak of COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in traditional User-Centered Design processes. This paper presents a shift in methodological thinking and deployment of participatory processes toward a more dynamic and resilient approach of user-centered design in a multi-year joint academia-industry design project. We moved beyond an overreliance on resource-intensive formal discrete events – such as in-person design workshops, focus groups, or traditional field studies and observations – toward including more continuous inputs to create a more sustainable and fluid approach within a living lab ecosystem. User-centered data collection methods were organized in a framework across three dimensions of interaction: 1) Communication; 2) Timing; and 3) Presence. Expanding methodological options along these differing dimensions increased opportunities for more diversified inputs and sample recruitment, while increasing overall data and design feedback collected. Lowering participation and knowledge sharing thresholds enabled more continuous, inclusive involvement of key stakeholders throughout design processes.
{"title":"Shifting Participatory Design Approaches for Increased Resilience","authors":"S. Mallam, K. Nordby, Per Haavardtun, Hanna Nordland, Tine Viveka Westerberg","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.1966131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.1966131","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Social distancing restrictions imposed by the global outbreak of COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in traditional User-Centered Design processes. This paper presents a shift in methodological thinking and deployment of participatory processes toward a more dynamic and resilient approach of user-centered design in a multi-year joint academia-industry design project. We moved beyond an overreliance on resource-intensive formal discrete events – such as in-person design workshops, focus groups, or traditional field studies and observations – toward including more continuous inputs to create a more sustainable and fluid approach within a living lab ecosystem. User-centered data collection methods were organized in a framework across three dimensions of interaction: 1) Communication; 2) Timing; and 3) Presence. Expanding methodological options along these differing dimensions increased opportunities for more diversified inputs and sample recruitment, while increasing overall data and design feedback collected. Lowering participation and knowledge sharing thresholds enabled more continuous, inclusive involvement of key stakeholders throughout design processes.","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"78 - 85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43593034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.2012730
J. Edworthy, J. Edworthy, Deborah Reed, Connor Wessel, Liam Lawrence
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Auditory alarm signals are a safety measure that would benefit from improvement across many industries. There is a considerable research base that can be applied to the development and testing of audible alarms, though this is rarely done in practice. We describe a process that can be adopted in any area where audible alarm signals are widespread. A comprehensive approach to updating and improving auditory alarms requires consideration not only of individual alarm sounds but also of how the alarm signals will work together. We show the development and design of alarm signal sets following best practices from acoustic, psychoacoustic, and psychological knowledge to ensure that the resultant alarms are localizable, audible, easy to learn, appropriately urgency-mapped, and differentiable. We also describe benchmarking tests, and a protocol for thinking about how auditory alarm signals might be implemented in control rooms of different sizes.
{"title":"Ergonomic Auditory Alarm Signals for the Oil and Chemical Processing Industry","authors":"J. Edworthy, J. Edworthy, Deborah Reed, Connor Wessel, Liam Lawrence","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.2012730","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.2012730","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Auditory alarm signals are a safety measure that would benefit from improvement across many industries. There is a considerable research base that can be applied to the development and testing of audible alarms, though this is rarely done in practice. We describe a process that can be adopted in any area where audible alarm signals are widespread. A comprehensive approach to updating and improving auditory alarms requires consideration not only of individual alarm sounds but also of how the alarm signals will work together. We show the development and design of alarm signal sets following best practices from acoustic, psychoacoustic, and psychological knowledge to ensure that the resultant alarms are localizable, audible, easy to learn, appropriately urgency-mapped, and differentiable. We also describe benchmarking tests, and a protocol for thinking about how auditory alarm signals might be implemented in control rooms of different sizes.","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"86 - 95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41456672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.1962622
E. Pérez, Y. Rodríguez, Maria Camila Salazar, Maria Alejandra Trujillo
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Integrating ergonomics (or human factors) in production and service processes is a topic of interest for ergonomics researchers and practitioners, especially in industrially-developing countries. In this paper, we present how an ergonomic intervention was carried out in an area of a Colombian meat processing plant using the Ergonomics Checkpoints tool. Of 65 checkpoints verified, 24 required improvement action and 17 of them were a priority. The main problems were related to materials storage and handling, hand tools, machine safety, workstation design, and work organization. Organizational and engineering proposals were made. The engineering proposals were modeled in 3 D to increase understanding of and acceptance by the company's workers. We hope that the lessons learned and reflections derived from this case study serve as a reference for conducting ergonomic interventions in similar contexts.
{"title":"Improving Working Conditions Using the Ergonomic Checkpoints Tool: Application in a Colombian Meat Processing Plant","authors":"E. Pérez, Y. Rodríguez, Maria Camila Salazar, Maria Alejandra Trujillo","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.1962622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.1962622","url":null,"abstract":"OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Integrating ergonomics (or human factors) in production and service processes is a topic of interest for ergonomics researchers and practitioners, especially in industrially-developing countries. In this paper, we present how an ergonomic intervention was carried out in an area of a Colombian meat processing plant using the Ergonomics Checkpoints tool. Of 65 checkpoints verified, 24 required improvement action and 17 of them were a priority. The main problems were related to materials storage and handling, hand tools, machine safety, workstation design, and work organization. Organizational and engineering proposals were made. The engineering proposals were modeled in 3 D to increase understanding of and acceptance by the company's workers. We hope that the lessons learned and reflections derived from this case study serve as a reference for conducting ergonomic interventions in similar contexts.","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"72 - 77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47464681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-04-03DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2021.2013044
R. Pikaar, D. Caple
This Special Issue of the IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors originates in the Human Factors (HF) Practitioner Track at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) triennial world congress in Vancouver (Canada, 2021). The aim of the HF Practitioner sessions at this congress was to learn from real life cases, and to give feedback to academics, the majority of participants, on the applicability of their research outputs. You will find an overview of case studies in the first contribution to this Special Issue (Pikaar & Caple, 2021). First, let us define what a “Practitioner Case Study” is all about. A Practitioner Case concerns actual interventions in work situations or work systems. A Practitioner Case Study is a report on the systematic design, or redesign, and implementation of a work system. Thus, HF in real life projects is primarily a design activity. HF activities are a small part of a project. Other disciplines are involved, and usually leading. In addition to a description or specification of the design and realization of the work system, a case study report preferably includes feedback on project results, feedback on applied HF best practices, and feedback on methodology. Human Sciences and HF Engineering (or Ergonomics) clearly are different activities. While researchers are experts in one or two scientific disciplines, the HF Professional needs to apply many different ergonomic disciplines. The HF Practitioner will have qualifications in a discipline related to HF, which enables a good understanding of the relevant engineering disciplines. The HF Professional interprets and integrates the results of scientific research, often for complex man-machine systems. Another important question is: “What is a Practitioner?” Obviously, HF Companies, employing registered Human Factors Professionals, perform practitioner work. Research Institutes and Universities may also employ registered ergonomists. These registered practitioners are assessed by one of the many Ergonomist Certification programs around the world endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). They might even be active in real commercial projects. Part of such projects will be dedicated to academic research, and part may be dedicated to an actual intervention. This is where we draw the line: a Practitioner Case Study shall always include an intervention as a result. A Practitioner Case Study is not a scientific experiment within a company setting (i.e., an intervention with the purpose to test a hypothesis), nor a task analysis without the intention to intervene. An ergonomics practitioner is expected to define the issues to be assessed, use validated scientific methods, and develop recommendations and design solutions as part of a multi-disciplinary team that would be considered reasonably practicable to implement. HF Practitioners need methodology developed and validated by scientists, such as techniques for task analyses, workload asses
{"title":"An Introduction to the Special Issue on Practitioner Case Studies","authors":"R. Pikaar, D. Caple","doi":"10.1080/24725838.2021.2013044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.2013044","url":null,"abstract":"This Special Issue of the IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors originates in the Human Factors (HF) Practitioner Track at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) triennial world congress in Vancouver (Canada, 2021). The aim of the HF Practitioner sessions at this congress was to learn from real life cases, and to give feedback to academics, the majority of participants, on the applicability of their research outputs. You will find an overview of case studies in the first contribution to this Special Issue (Pikaar & Caple, 2021). First, let us define what a “Practitioner Case Study” is all about. A Practitioner Case concerns actual interventions in work situations or work systems. A Practitioner Case Study is a report on the systematic design, or redesign, and implementation of a work system. Thus, HF in real life projects is primarily a design activity. HF activities are a small part of a project. Other disciplines are involved, and usually leading. In addition to a description or specification of the design and realization of the work system, a case study report preferably includes feedback on project results, feedback on applied HF best practices, and feedback on methodology. Human Sciences and HF Engineering (or Ergonomics) clearly are different activities. While researchers are experts in one or two scientific disciplines, the HF Professional needs to apply many different ergonomic disciplines. The HF Practitioner will have qualifications in a discipline related to HF, which enables a good understanding of the relevant engineering disciplines. The HF Professional interprets and integrates the results of scientific research, often for complex man-machine systems. Another important question is: “What is a Practitioner?” Obviously, HF Companies, employing registered Human Factors Professionals, perform practitioner work. Research Institutes and Universities may also employ registered ergonomists. These registered practitioners are assessed by one of the many Ergonomist Certification programs around the world endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). They might even be active in real commercial projects. Part of such projects will be dedicated to academic research, and part may be dedicated to an actual intervention. This is where we draw the line: a Practitioner Case Study shall always include an intervention as a result. A Practitioner Case Study is not a scientific experiment within a company setting (i.e., an intervention with the purpose to test a hypothesis), nor a task analysis without the intention to intervene. An ergonomics practitioner is expected to define the issues to be assessed, use validated scientific methods, and develop recommendations and design solutions as part of a multi-disciplinary team that would be considered reasonably practicable to implement. HF Practitioners need methodology developed and validated by scientists, such as techniques for task analyses, workload asses","PeriodicalId":73332,"journal":{"name":"IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors","volume":"9 1","pages":"65 - 66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42697909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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