Ergonomic sustainability based on the ergonomic maturity level measurement

Abstract

This paper aims at the application of an ergonomic maturity model (EMM), in order to assess the ergonomic sustainability outreach of ergonomic actions. This proposition was motivated by the widespread sensation that the development of the discipline, its educational devices and related practices depends on the attitude of ergonomics practitioners rather than environmental macroergonomic conditions. Maturity modeling in this paper is undertaken as a tool for ergonomic practitioners. Thus, its foundations were uprooted from diverse fields: Clinic Psychology, Quality Management and Project Management. The paper brings about a detailled explanation of this ergonomic maturity tool. The empirical part is fulfilled by the examination -using the EMM -of four emblematic cases excerpted from our research lab ergonomic portfolio.

Diagnóstico macroergonómico de organizaciones colombianas con el Modelo de madurez de Ergonomía

“…Por esta razón, se decidió que el evaluador debía interactuar directamente con el encuestado para responder a sus preguntas. Un enfoque similar es referido por Vidal (8). b) Reporte de los resultados.…”

Good work design: strategies to embed human-centred design in organisations

“…A human-centric design practice provides for good work design: it is collaborative and consultative (Burgess-Limerick, 2011); considerate of hierarchical risk-based task requirements (Horberry et al, 2011); addresses the continuum of safety to well-being (e.g. Cantley et al, 2014;Laing et al, 2007;Laitinen et al, 1998;Lallemand, 2012); and lends to effective business performance (Dul & Neumann, 2009;Vidal et al, 2012). Humans-in-Design (HiD) is a term coined by Tristan Cooke (http://humansindesign.com/).…”

“…The International Ergonomics Association Council provides a definition in which ergonomics is considered to, "… optimise (human) well-being and overall system performance" (IEA 2015). Ergonomics programs have merit well beyond the link to safety performance and occupational health (Dul & Neumann, 2009;Vidal et al, 2012). Design of work for health is part of a continuum of design of work for safety (e.g.…”

“…The organisational context influences the successful implementation of good work design (Jensen, 2002;Perrow, 1983;Salmon et al, 2016;Vidal et al, 2012). A supportive environment requires appreciation of the principles of human factors and ergonomics by senior management.…”

“…1. Actively communicating the benefit to convince vendors or engineers who design and build systems and equipment to adopt a human-centred approach; Good work embodying human-centred design, human factors engineering, and participatory ergonomics results in system improvement, innovation, business value, positive work morale, and continual quality improvement (Jensen, 2002;Vidal et al, 2012). Consequently, it is important to examine the necessary conditions, organisational maturity, and capacity to partake in good work design if applications are to prove meaningful (Dul, 2016a).…”