Case Study: Participatory Ergonomics in Road Construction and an Occupational Perspective of Health. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pazell, Sara; Burgess-Limerick, Robin; Horberry, Tim
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting. Volume 60:Part 1(2016)
• Page Start: 999
• Page End: 1003
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Human engineering -- Congresses; 620.8205
• DOI: 10.1177/1541931213601232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-9312

Abstract

Road construction comprises high-risk work activity including risks for collision, musculoskeletal disorder, and slips, trips and falls. A participatory ergonomics project was hosted after compelling field observations were made. A manual task involving roll-out of multi-laminate tape was redesigned with the fabrication of a customized trolley. A human-centered design process was engaged (The Design for Operability and Maintainability Technique) and the project outcomes were reviewed according to an Occupational Perspective of Health, a spectrum of safety through to productivity (or "doing – being – becoming – belonging"). Critical success factors of the project are described, also, to inform activity that may sustain a participatory ergonomics and human-centered design practice.