Change by Design,Human Factors by Necessity: Lessons in Participatory Ergonomics

Abstract

Human factors is traditionally imported into organizations through training, education, and experts. In sharp contrast, this paper presents a case study which reduced safety and health costs significantly at two wood processing plants, not by introducing human factors, but by introducing an organizational change. This structural change, in turn created a need for human factors in redesigning work. Participation from three different level committees created an important understanding of how work redesign can be implemented to reduce accidents and injuries. This case reviews the organization, the change, results and implications for human factors interventions in organizations.