Human-Factors Engineering
Human-factors engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on optimizing the design of systems and products to accommodate human capabilities and limitations. It draws on knowledge from various domains, including anatomy, psychology, sociology, and industrial design, to create user-centered designs that enhance safety, efficiency, and overall user experience. Also referred to as ergonomics, cognitive ergonomics, or usability engineering, this field has evolved from early trial-and-error methods to a more scientific approach, particularly highlighted during pivotal events like the World Wars, which emphasized the necessity of effective human-machine interactions in high-stress environments.
The applications of human-factors engineering are vast, ranging from office equipment to complex systems like spacecraft and industrial production lines. Practical examples include improving vehicle designs for drivers through better display placements and noise insulation, as well as redesigning work environments to prevent injuries related to repetitive tasks. Notably, companies that have implemented ergonomic principles have experienced significant reductions in worker injuries and related costs, demonstrating the financial benefits of investing in human-factors engineering.
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, the importance of this field is expected to grow, with a continued demand for professionals who can improve the safety and usability of products and systems.
Human-Factors Engineering
Human-factors engineering is the application of scientific information about human strengths and weaknesses to technological design. It is also known by other terms, including cognitive ergonomics, engineering psychology, ergonomics, human engineering, human-factors psychology, usability engineering, and user-centered design. In specialized fields, it may also be known by a specific term, such as bioastronautics or manned-systems technology. Human-factors engineering refers to the body of knowledge, the process of designing machines and systems, and the profession of engineers and scientists in the field. It involves a wide range of fields including anatomy, psychology, sociology, and industrial design.
In most of the world, including Europe, the term ergonomics is most common. It comes from the Greek words ergon ("work") and nomos ("law"). In North America, the terms human-factors engineering and human engineering dominate.
Background
Early human-factors engineering was based on trial and error. People used tools for centuries and made small changes over time to make them more useful and easier to operate. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, machines were designed for a purpose, and workers were expected to adapt to using them. In the twentieth century, researchers chose a more scientific approach. They collected empirical data (observational information) and designed machines to fit human limits and abilities.
Human-factors engineering was known as human factors and human engineering during the 1920s and 1930s. It dealt with human relations in industry. In the early twentieth century, captains of industry were interested in scientific management, which was primarily time and motion studies aiming to promote efficiency and thus maximizing profits.
The focus of production study in the United States changed, however, with the advent of World War I. As aircraft became increasingly important to the military, the need to select the best candidates for flight training required scientific study. Researchers tried to figure out what made a good pilot, and this work led to the birth of aviation psychology. Simultaneous work focused on studying the effects of environmental stressors on the pilots.
Following the war, little effort was invested in research until World War II. The war galvanized recruitment efforts to fill the vast needs of the military, and the importance of choosing wisely for various jobs was vital.
World War II also required a sharp increase in manufacturing and use of military systems, including large weapons, aircraft, and naval vessels. In light of the heavy demands placed on operators in combat situations, researchers began examining the interaction of operators and equipment. In situations in which the operator and equipment were not in harmony, the risk of user error increased.
The war raised awareness of the limits to which humans could adapt to poor designs. This came about at a great price, specifically a large number of airplane crashes by highly trained pilots. The cause was attributed in the end to poorly designed instrument displays and control configurations.
In Europe, the focus of human-factors engineering research was primarily on human productivity. The Ergonomics Research Society (ERS) was formed in the United Kingdom by a group of physiologists and psychologists in 1949; this group, the first professional body in the field, also coined the term ergonomics. (ERS has since changed its name several times, and in 2014 became the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors.)
Over time, the emphasis of human-factors engineering shifted to safer work environments and worker experiences. The assembly-line process of manufacturing requires workers to perform the same actions for eight hours a day. This can lead to repetitive-motion injuries. Other workplace conditions, such as exposure to strong vibrations (often experienced by bus and truck drivers), can also lead to injuries.
During the 1970s, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noted a sharp increase in the number of reports of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). As a result, the US Department of Labor prioritized addressing hazardous workplace conditions that caused carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back injuries, among other problems. This led to a focus on prevention, specifically redesigning work areas and equipment to prevent these problems.
Overview
Human-factors engineering relies on knowledge of what humans are capable of doing and what human limitations are. This information determines designs and improvements to things people use and how they work. Applications for human-factors engineering range from office equipment to power plant control rooms, spacecraft design, training materials, consumer products, and assistance for individuals with disabilities.
Human-factors engineers usually rely on a human-machine model, because they view humans as elements in systems. A common example of a human-machine model is a person driving a car. The driver receives input from the car—odometer and speedometer readings, and the sounds of seatbelt reminder alarms, etc.—as well as input from outside—traffic signals, obstructions, traffic, and signs. The driver continually analyzes the input and uses it to make decisions about operating the vehicle—when and how much to turn the steering wheel, and whether to use the brake or accelerator, etc. Environmental factors, such as the presence of passengers, temperature, and noise, also affect the driver. Human-factors engineering takes all of the input into consideration in designing a vehicle for user and performance. This includes design and placement of displays and controls, as well as insulation against noise and heat, seating design, and the size and shape of windows. Similar decisions are made on a much larger scale when working with more complicated human-machine systems, such as jet airliners and industrial plant production lines.
Human-factors engineering has helped many industries reduce costs. For example, the John Deere company, North America's largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment, began using principles of ergonomics to redesign the manufacturing process in 1979. The company saw an 83 percent reduction in workers' back injuries. Worker compensation costs were reduced by 32 percent within five years. AT&T Global Information Solutions saw a 75 percent reduction in worker compensation costs in one year after redesigning workstations to reduce keyboarding injuries and training workers in how to lift properly. Other changes, including revamping the assembly process so workers could freely and frequently change from sitting to standing on the job, resulted in the company recording zero days lost to injury in 1993 and 1994, in contrast with 1990 (298 work days lost). The cost savings over the two years was $1.48 million. A poultry processing plant redesigned the deboning knives used by workers, saving half a million dollars in worker compensation premiums. The company also saw greater profits because the workers did their jobs more efficiently.
As technology continues to play a greater role in human life and productivity, research and discoveries of human-factor engineering experts are likely to become increasingly important. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts demand for health and safety engineer jobs, which includes human-factor engineers, to continue to grow into the 2030s. Median pay in 2021 was $47.62 an hour or $99,040 a year.
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