Recycling “Ergonomic” Tools for “Macroergonomic” Use

Abstract

The field of macroergonomics has received ever-increasing interest in both of the field of Human Factors, since it was first identified as a “field” some 5 years ago and named. Often colleagues (from Human Factors and from outside the field) ask “But what do you actually do?” along with “But is that Human Factors?” This panel will discuss some of the tools which macroergonomists actually use, and show how they are, in many cases, common to the profession but used in a more holistic fashion. We hope this will lead to a better understanding of alternative uses for common tools and will encourage creative approaches to expansion and enhancements.