Ergonomics principles in the design of work systems
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes the fundamental principles of ergonomics as basic guidelines for the design of work systems and defines relevant basic terms. It describes an integrated approach to the design of work systems, where ergonomists will cooperate with others involved in the design, with attention to the human, the social and the technical requirements in a balanced manner during the design process.
Users of this International Standard will include executives, managers, workers (and their representatives, when appropriate) and professionals, such as ergonomists, project managers and designers who are involved in the design or redesign of work systems. Those who use this International Standard can find a general knowledge of ergonomics (human factors), engineering, design, quality and project management helpful.
The term “work system” in this International Standard is used to indicate a large variety of working situations, including permanent and flexible work places. The intention of this International Standard is to assist in the improvement, (re)design or change of work systems. Work systems involve combinations of workers and equipment, within a given space and environment, and the interactions between these components within a work organization. Work systems vary in complexity and characteristics, for example, the use of temporary work systems. Some examples of work systems in different areas are the following:
——production, e.g. machine operator and machine, worker and assembly line;
——transportation, e.g. driver and car or lorry, personnel in an airport;
——support, e.g. maintenance technician with work equipment;
——commercial, e.g. office worker with workstation, mobile worker with a tablet computer, cook in a restaurant kitchen;
——other areas like health care, teaching and training.
The observance of ergonomic principles applies to all phases throughout the life cycle of the work system from conception through development, realization and implementation, utilization, maintenance and support to decommissioning.
The systems approach in this International Standard gives guidance to the users of this International Standard in existing and new situations.
The definitions and ergonomic principles specified in this International Standard apply to the design of optimal working conditions with regard to human well-being, safety and health, including the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new ones, while taking into account technological and economic effectiveness and efficiency.
The principles in this International Standard are applicable to many other human activities, e.g. in the design of products for domestic and leisure activities. A more general description of the principles in this International Standard can be found in ISO 26800.
Note 1: This International Standard is considered to be the core ergonomic standard for work systems from which many others on specific issues are derived.
Note 2: Although elements of the system can be the same, this International Standard is not intended to be applied to systems used in a non-work context (e.g. the use of a vehicle for private purposes).
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
well-being
sustainable internal state resulting from satisfaction of the physical and cognitive needs of the worker (3.4) during his/her activity
Note: Well-being can contribute to the quality of working life.
3.2
work system
system comprising one or more workers (3.4) and work equipment (3.6) acting together to perform the system function (3.21), in the workspace (3.9), in the work environment (3.8), under the conditions imposed by the work tasks (3.17)
3.3
ergonomics
human factors
scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among human and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being (3.1) and overall system performance
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.2]
3.4
worker
person performing one or more activities to achieve a goal within a work system (3.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.11, modified]
3.5
work organization
interacting work systems (3.2) acting to produce a specific overall outcome
Note: The process of work organization includes coherent actions in relation to establishing the form and mode of organization to be adopted (e.g. individual or collective work, teams working separately or interdependently, etc.). It is also necessary to define and allocate resources and determine the means and channels of communication. All these actions lead to the definition and assignment of prescribed tasks to the operators involved.
3.6
work equipment
tools, including hardware and software, machines, vehicles, devices, furniture, installations and other components used in the work system (3.2)
3.7
work process
sequence in time and space of the interaction of workers (3.4), work equipment (3.6), materials, energy and information within a work system (3.2)
3.8
work environment
physical, chemical, biological, organizational, social and cultural factors surrounding a worker (3.4)
3.9
workspace
volume allocated to one or more persons in the work system (3.2) to complete the work task (3.17)
3.10
external work load
work stress
external conditions and demands in a work system (3.2) which influence a person’s physical and/or mental internal load
Note 1: In some countries, “external work load” is referred to as “work stress”.
Note 2: Compare ISO 26800:2011, 2.4.
3.11
work strain
internal response of a worker (3.4) to being exposed to external work load (3.10) depending on his/her individual characteristics (e.g. body size, age, capacities, abilities, skills, etc.)
Note 1: In ISO 26800, “work strain” is called “internal load”.
Note 2: Compare ISO 26800:2011, 2.6.
3.12
usability
extent to which a system, product or service can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use
Note 1: Systems, products or services are part of work systems (3.2) and used by workers (3.4) within those systems.
Note 2: In this International Standard, the context of use is within a work system.
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-210:2010, 2.13]
3.13
human-centred design
approach to systems design and development that aims to make interactive systems more usable by focusing on the use of the system and applying human factors/ergonomics (3.3) and usability (3.12) knowledge and techniques
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-210:2010, 2.7, modified]
3.14
accessibility
extent to which products, systems, services, environments and facilities can be used by people from a population with the widest range of characteristics and capabilities to achieve a specified goal in a specified context of use
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.1, modified]
Note 1: Products, systems, services and facilities are part of work systems (3.2) and used by workers (3.4) within those systems.
Note 2: In this International Standard, the context of use is within a work system.
3.15
allocation of functions
process of deciding whether system functions (3.21) will be implemented by humans, by equipment and/or hardware and/or software
3.16
job
organization and sequence in time and space of an individual’s work tasks (3.17) or the combination of all human performance by one worker (3.4) within a work system (3.2)
3.17
work task
activity or set of activities required of the worker (3.4) to achieve an intended outcome
3.18
workstation
combination and spatial arrangement of work equipment (3.6), surrounded by the work environment (3.8) under the conditions imposed by the work tasks (3.17)
3.19
work fatigue
impairing non-pathological manifestation of work strain (3.11), completely reversible with rest
