Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors
About Ergonomics and Human Factors
Ergonomics is an applied science. Its general purpose is to adapt people's activities, equipment and environments to fit their needs and capacities. By doing this, ergonomists and 'human factors' experts aim to optimise the efficiency and safety of people's interactions with their activities and related environments.
Ergonomics knowledge is applied in many different areas, such as:
- transportation, aerospace and military systems
- occupational health, safety and rehabilitation
- consumer product design, and
- manufacturing systems.
Depending on the particular area and the circumstances, ergonomists might be aiming to enhance:
- overall system performance efficiency and productivity
- product or system usability
- system safety
- individual health and well being.
Australia has often led the world in the successful application of ergonomics, particularly in the design and management of our road traffic system, and in many aspects of occupational health and safety.
The terms 'ergonomics' and 'human factors' are formally interchangeable, but in practice they have different connotations. 'Ergonomics' suggests an emphasis on biological issues and is more commonly used in the areas of occupational health and safety, and consumer product design. 'Human factors' suggests an emphasis on psychological issues and is more often used by practitioners in transportation, aerospace and military systems.
The effective application of 'ergonomics' or 'human factors' is based on knowledge of both biological and psychological factors, and on this website the term 'ergonomics' is used in its broadest sense to include both biological and psychological aspects of human and system functioning.
Ergonomics knowledge is developed by ergonomics researchers and is applied by ergonomists, human factors engineers and human factors psychologists. Staff at the Centre are active both as researchers and as practitioners.
Most of the currently practising ergonomists started with a professional qualification in another, related field. This might be one of the underlying sciences such as psychology or physiology, or one of the professional fields in which ergonomics is commonly practised, such as engineering, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or industrial design. Postgraduate ergonomics students at La Trobe University include many graduates from such backgrounds.