Ergonomics in Large Machinery Design

Abstract

Until recently in Australia it has been difficult to convince machinery manufacturers that ergonomics was worthy of their attention and action.

Ergonomics evaluation of a range of machinery has been hampered by a lack of accessible, useable design criteria. Formal Standards, such as the Standard on Plant give guidelines on risk assessment but nothing specific in terms of ergonomics design guidelines. Most other Standards are out-of-date or are inconsistent with current practice in Australia. By necessity most occupational health and safety regulations and standards for heavy equipment define their design in terms of broad principles to reduce risks to health and safety.

To assist designers, purchasers and users of heavy machinery in the application of ergonomics principles it may be worth developing useability standards such as those used for computer systems. These may be applied to generate more specific design and performance specifications using the consultative risk assessment process.