what is ergonomics

what is ergonomics

12 hours ago 1
Nature

Ergonomics, also known as human factors or human factors engineering, is the scientific discipline focused on understanding the interactions between humans and other elements of a system. It applies psychological and physiological principles to the design of products, processes, and systems to optimize human well-being and overall system performance

. The primary goals of ergonomics are to reduce human error, increase productivity, enhance safety, health, and comfort by ensuring that tasks, equipment, and environments fit the user's capabilities and limitations. This includes designing workplaces, tools, and systems that accommodate human anatomy, cognitive abilities, and behaviors to prevent injuries such as repetitive strain injuries and musculoskeletal disorders

. Ergonomics integrates knowledge from various fields including psychology, engineering, biomechanics, physiology, and industrial design. It involves assessing risks, planning improvements, and measuring progress to create safe, comfortable, and efficient work environments

. There are three broad domains of ergonomics:

  • Physical ergonomics: Focuses on human anatomical and physiological characteristics to design workplaces that reduce physical strain and injury.
  • Cognitive ergonomics: Deals with mental processes like perception, memory, and reasoning to improve interaction with systems.
  • Organizational ergonomics: Optimizes social and organizational structures such as teamwork, schedules, and policies to enhance work satisfaction and efficiency

In summary, ergonomics aims to "fit the job to the person" by designing systems and environments that enhance human performance, comfort, and safety while minimizing health risks and errors

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