Human Factors / Ergonomics
Human factors, also known as ergonomics, is the science of improving human performance and reducing harm while working. The term "ergonomics" is derived for the Greek words "ergo" for work and "nomoi" for laws. The two names, human factors and ergonomics, are often used interchangeably as they share the same goal of modifying the work system to fit the worker.
Work is everywhere
While effortful work can be enjoyable, unlike play, work has consequences when it is incomplete or poorly performed. Even being a patient or parent can be considered as work, filled with care activities that must be accomplished, at times in environments that make such work difficult to perform.
Human factors is systems thinking.
Poor work performance may not always be due to individual issues. Human factors can be a misnomer, as people wrongly attribute it as a means to manage human behaviors. While we seek to understand the nature of humans at work, we work with all the components in the system to come up with the most optimal human-system interactions and ultimately improve performance outcomes.
Human factors understands humans at work.
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Before we can come up with human-centered solutions, we need to first understand the nature of humans in the system. Psychology, biomechanics, anthropometry, and behavioral insights serve as foundations for diagnosing interaction issues and driving activity design.
Human factors help humans work together
Human factors explains why speaking up is difficult, what constitutes effective communication, how to increase team situation awareness, and many more.
Human factors involves the entire system
Human factors considerations are applied across all aspects of the socio-technical system, including the physical environment, tools and technology, work processes, as well as policies and culture. This leads to a holistic suite of solutions that optimizes operational safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Human factors designs work for well-being.
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By being empathetic towards our strengths and limitations as humans, human factors ensures that work activities and environments protect and promote the health and wellness of the people in the system.
Human factors is an inter-disciplinary science.
First aid training does not a doctor maketh. Human factors professionals are engineers, designers, psychologists, and scientists who have received formal education and who might have specialized in a particular domain of human factors. Training can help one appreciate the human factors approach and explore strategies for specific problems.