Integrating ergonomics in design processes: a case study within an engineering consultancy firm

Sørensen, Lene; Broberg, Ole

doi:10.3233/wor-2012-0268-949

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It was also not clear from other studies in the literature what "ideal" HF integration in design processes would look like. Much of the HF literature discusses HF requirements (Wulf et al, 1999), or sign-off as integration (Waterson and Kolose, 2010), and in some cases direct participation with designers (Seims and Sorensen and Broberg, 2012). The indicators in this study included adaptation of industrial engineering tools with HF metrics and inclusion in several stages of the design process, requirements that engineers be accountable for the metrics, sign-off by the HFS, and training for engineers in compliance with the HF metrics.…”

Section: Determine the Indicators Of Hf Integration In The Design Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

Village¹

2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human factors (HF) considerations, integrated early in design of production assembly systems, can improve both worker health and business performance. A longitudinal case study using an action research style collaboration between researchers and a large electronics manufacturer was the platform for this investigation. The findings show “how” HF, previously outside engineering with HF specialists (HFS) performing reactive injury assessments, increasingly became integrated into each stage of the design process with HF adapted tools, enforceable targets, sign-off, and most HF work focused on proactive design alongside engineers. An operations research tool (cognitive mapping) was used to identify the HF perceptions of Senior Directors and link these to their strategic goals. As a result, HF specialists changed their focus from injury risk to reducing fatigue and improving worker performance and assembly quality. Several industrial engineering tools were also adapted for HF (eg. HF failure mode effects analysis, HF design-for-assembly) and used to quantitatively communicate HF concerns, drive continuous improvement, visibly demonstrate change, and lead to benchmarking. Qualitative data analyzed with a grounded theory methodology resulted in six constructs in the final “Design for Human Factors” theory. The theory propositions state that when: 1. HFS acclimate to the engineering process, language and tools; and 2. strategically align HF to the design and business goals, then HF becomes perceived as a means to improve business performance. This results in 3. HFS being pulled onto the engineering team, which increases HF application and engineers’ awareness of HF, and 4. Management hold engineers accountable for HF targets. Being on the engineering team leads to 5. Engineering tools adapted to include HF targets, and in combination results in 6. HF becoming embedded in the design process. Senior directors reported that increased HF application has improved the design of more recent assembly lines and made it easier for operators. The theory contributes an explanation about how HF can be integrated into design processes to inform researchers and practitioners and improve proactive HF application. Recommendations include increased education for HFS in engineering, and more collaborative research to develop tools that quantify and link worker performance to business metrics.

show abstract

Section: Determine the Indicators Of Hf Integration In The Design Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

The integration of human factors into a company's production design process

Village¹

2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As observed in the calender machine example, equipment lists are often replicated from one project to another without updating. Nevertheless, the revision of this document must occur in each new project, both in partnership with other disciplines, and according to the specifics of the future work.As each design stage involves new decisionmaking, at different levels, the accumulation of knowledge about the real work -through the role of the ergonomist -must be considered at all these stages[18][19][20]. Furthermore, it is suggested that both cognitive work and organizational dimension be further researched, to take it into the projects' context.The limits imposed on this work, including the availability of places onboard for analysis in reference situations, should be considered.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating work into the design: The case of offshore maintenance

Leite

Mercado

Marins

et al. 2022

WOR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND: Ergonomics in design is intended to close the gap between what is designed and the real work. This study discusses the creation of technical ergonomics requirements for the basic design stage of workshops on offshore platforms. OBJECTIVE: This paper intends to show how the ergonomics discipline contributes to integrating knowledge on the real work of the maintenance crew with the design. METHODS: This case study uses procedures, data collection, and analysis guided by the Ergonomics of the Activity’s (EA) theoretical framework, focused on design projects. RESULTS: The results show how ergonomics contributed to a better understanding of maintenance work, as well as how this knowledge was integrated into the project design. This occurred both through the construction of a new layout and equipment list, and through the development of technical specifications. These products enable greater operational efficiency, reductions in the costs of alterations in the next stages of the project, and improvement in working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This work points to the need for new studies on platform maintenance work, in addition to studies that deepen the debate on consolidating ergonomics practice in design projects.

show abstract