Andrew Todd

State of Science: ergonomics and global issues

Abstract In his 1993 IEA keynote address, Neville Moray urged the ergonomics discipline to face up to the global problems facing humanity and consider how ergonomics might help find some of the solutions. In this State of Science article we critically evaluate what the ergonomics discipline has achieved in the last two and a half decades to help create a secure future for humanity. Moray’s challenges for ergonomics included deriving a value structure that moves us beyond a Westernised view of worker-organisation-technology fit, taking a multidisciplinary approach which engages with other social and biological sciences, considering the gross cross-cultural factors that determine how different societies function, paying more attention to mindful consumption, and embracing the complexity of our interconnected world. This article takes a socio-historical approach by considering the factors that influence what has been achieved since Moray’s keynote address. We conclude with our own set of predictions for the future and priorities for addressing the challenges that we are likely to face. Practitioner Summary: We critically reflect on what has been achieved by the ergonomics profession in addressing the global challenges raised by Morays 1993 keynote address to the International Ergonomics Association. Apart from healthcare, the response has largely been weak and disorganised. We make suggestions for priority research and practice that is required to facilitate a sustainable future for humanity.

Muscle fatigue induced by a soccer match-play simulation in amateur Black South African players

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of a soccer-specific fatigue protocol on the temporal changes in torque producing abilities of the thigh within African soccer players. Twenty amateur Black South African soccer players performed the SAFT90 soccer match-play simulation protocol, while isokinetic measurements were obtained pre-exercise (T0), after the 1st half (T45), after half time (T60) and after the 2nd half (T105). During SAFT90 performance, significant overall concentric quadriceps peak torque changes were observed (1.05 rad · s−1 = 16.6%, 3.14 rad · s−1 = 9.5%). Eccentric hamstring peak torque also decreased significantly over time (1.05 rad · s−1 = 17.4%, 3.14 rad · s−1 = 18.5%), with significant reductions occurring during both halves. The functional strength ratio (eccH:conQ) at 3.14 rad · s−1 was observed to significantly decrease by 10.1% overall. The indicated time-dependent changes in Black South African players have implications for competitive performance and increased predisposition to hamstring muscle injuries. Because of muscle fatigue, the hamstrings may have insufficient eccentric strength during the late swing phase when sprinting, resulting in eccentric overload and damage to the muscle. The changes in strength found in the current study help explain the increased predisposition to hamstring strains during the latter stages of both halves of match-play as reported by epidemiological studies.

Operator work-related musculoskeletal disorders during forwarding operations in South Africa: an ergonomic assessment

Forest machine operators are still experiencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) despite extensive mechanisation and modernisation of harvesting systems. However, paucity of local ergonomics research and technology transfer problems may affect the use of mechanised systems in South Africa. Consequently, this study was a field-based ergonomic assessment of local forwarding operations. PG Bisons North East Cape Forests (NECF) Eastern Cape operations and Komatiland Forests (KLF) Mpumalanga operations were studied. The main aim of the study was to carry out an ergonomic assessment on local forwarder operator tasks, using Tigercat 1055 forwarders. The study specifically assessed WMSD prevalence and risk factors, investigated the frequency of awkward head postures and evaluated work organisation. A modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to survey WMSD prevalence and work organisation factors. Operators reported hourly, localised work-related musculoskeletal discomfort experienced during the shift. A video camera mounted in the cab was used to capture footage of awkward head postures. The video footage was also used for the WMSD risk assessment using the Health and Safety Executive (HSG60) upper limb disorder assessment worksheets. Operators reported having experienced WMSDs during the last 12 months mainly in the lower back, neck, shoulders and upper back. The studied operators reported lower repetition strain symptoms and higher lower-back disorders than in previous studies. Twenty-three percent of the awkward head postures adopted were extreme. The study results support the assertion that causal pathways of WMSDs are complex and multifactorial. Repetition, awkward head posture, duration of exposure, vibration, psychological factors and individual differences were identified as the main WMSD risk factors.

Analyses of Time Use in Informal Economy Workers Reveals Long Work Hours, Inadequate Rest and Time Poverty

Workers in the informal economy operate under difficult and unsafe working conditions. This and other systemic challenges can negatively affect their work ability. One aspect of informal work that is not well understood is working time, an important element of any work system as it dictates how much time is available for rest and how it contributes to time poverty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the working time of informal workers through a time use survey. This cross sectional, descriptive study recruited ten informal worker participants from Warwick Junction, in Durban, South Africa. Traders completed a participatory time-use survey method and an activity clock, reporting on activities over a normal and busy 24-h period. More specifically, participants reported total working time, commuting time, personal time, time spent doing domestic chores and reported sleep duration, while accounting for the time allocated to each activity. On average, workers reported working 6 to 7 days per week and extended work hours. Reported sleep time varied between 6 (±1.4) and 7.2 (±1.9) h per night on busy and normal nights respectively, which provided evidence of time poverty. Female workers reported having higher demands on their time than men. While the sample was small and the data self-reported, the study provides evidence of extended work hours, inadequate rest and time poverty faced by informal workers and in particular, women. Further research should empirically explore the effects of the extended work hours and reduced time for recovery amongst informal workers.

Networks and Cities in a Dynamic Society

The scope of practice and theory of ergonomics is expanding, and large socio-technical systems such as cities are now being investigated using ergonomics methods. Within this context the value of Rasmussen’s [1] dynamic risk model is even more apparent. However, as complexity increases, so must ergonomics’ adaptability both in its concepts and methods. Therefore, this paper argues that an expansion of the mental model proposed by Rasmussen [1] through the explicit inclusion of social network and stakeholder analysis concepts and methods is warranted. This is because these concepts provide valuable insight into how cities and communities maintain their sustainability and resilience over time. The paper closes by providing an example of how the model assists ergonomists in thinking about city-level dynamics and their influence upon stakeholders.

“Ergonomics on the Ground”: A Case Study of Service Learning in Ergonomics Education

Service-learning combines academic learning with community-based service, is a pedagogical method that bridges the gap between traditional teaching approaches and prepares students to practice. In partnership with the Centre for Biological Control (CBC), we initiated a service-learning course aimed at providing a practical component for an Ergonomics Honours course. We were interested in how the course influenced student understanding of Human Factors and Ergonomics and Wilson’s (2014) six notions, which were used as the theoretical basis for the course. Sixteen students worked alongside a group of people with disabilities (PWD) employed at the CBC to mass rear and harvest insects used to control invasive plant species. The students spent four hours a week for four weeks at the CBC mass rearing facility. Thereafter, students responded to questions aimed at exploring: how the SL course impacted their understanding of Wilson’s notions; what they found challenging and enjoyable and what could be improved upon in the course. Student responses were analysed thematically. The experience enhanced the students’ discipline-specific knowledge, particularly how they could apply the theory to the context, but it was evident that the students needed more time and more exposure to the system to derive a more detailed, nuanced understanding of the theory and how it related to practice. The SL course appears to have enhanced the students’ understanding of HFE and its importance in contexts such as the CBC. The feedback from the students has also influenced the structure, aims and intended outcomes of this year’s course to ensure that the course is mutually beneficial.

The Way Forward for Human Factors/Ergonomics and Sustainability

In this paper we outline a vision for human factors/ergonomics and sustainability in the 21st century. The paper extends and updates earlier work by Moray (1995) which posed a number of global challenges for the discipline of HFE. In particular we point to several trends and priorities within HFE, these include: a shift away from specialization and towards trans-disciplinarity; greater emphasis on systems and complexity in HFE as compared to an earlier focus on micro-ergonomics; the emergence of values and ethics as central concerns for the discipline; moving away from mitigation and towards adaptation and intervention in our efforts to tackle global issues and sustainability; and, the importance of local, tailored and devolved solutions to problems such as climate change and disaster resilience. Our overall aim in the paper is to motivate and challenge HFE researchers and practitioners to further address and confront some of these priorities. The HFE discipline is well-placed to make significant contributions towards resolving global problems and our hope is that further and significant progress can be made in the coming decades.

The BRICS plus Network: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives of the Network’s Role in Human Factors and Ergonomics

In December 2016, at Tsinghua University in Beijing China, the first meeting of the newly constituted BRICSplus Network of Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African Ergonomics societies was held. The Network was created to promote and develop ergonomics in BRICS countries, collaboratively represent the BRICS countries at the level of the IEA and ensure that professional standards of ergonomics, in teaching, research and practice, are maintained. This paper offers a short overview of the history of each BRICS country’s ergonomics society, in which we highlight the impact of key individuals, events and milestones on the development of ergonomics in the respective countires. We then provide an overview of the current challenges faced by BRICS countries, with respect to the dissemination of ergonomics, which is proceeded by a snapshot of how the intended activities of the network will address these. We conclude by emphasizing how the BRICSplus network has the potential to create globalized ergonomics graduates, educators and researchers, who will continue to foster the advancement of ergonomics in their countries and more globally.

Matching New Ergonomics Regulations to Stakeholder Competence in South Africa

In 2013 the South African department of labor convened a new technical committee to develop ergonomics regulations for the country and in 2016 a draft of the regulation was released for public comment. Although the existing occupational health and safety act refers to ergonomics, the new regulations would be the first to emphasize the requirement for South African employers to have an established ergonomics program. In order to further contextualize these regulations, it is important to understand several key factors relating to each of the four identified stakeholder groups (business, government, labor and specialists) identified in the regulations. Firstly, the nature of business ownership in the country. The small and medium size enterprise sector contributes approximately 36% of the gross domestic product and constitutes up to 90% of formal businesses, while the informal economy contributes a further 8% of gross domestic product. These sectors typically function under several constraints and whether these sectors have the finances and resources required to effectively implement the regulations is questionable. Secondly, it is necessary to ensure that the department of labor and their inspectors are in a position to not only implement the regulations but also to assist the various sectors of the economy in the development of their programs. Currently, only a small proportion of the inspectorate have any formal training and the necessary skills in ergonomics. Thirdly, from a labor perspective the level of knowledge and training of the workers and those likely to be responsible for the actual implementation and running of the ergonomics program needs very careful consideration and better understanding. Lastly, due to the fact that the number of ergonomics practitioners (at all levels) and training programs in South Africa are small there is a very real risk that they are inadequately resourced to deal with the increased demand associated the regulations being introduced. It is clear that within each group of stakeholders there are legitimate barriers to the effective implementation of the regulations. In order to overcome these barriers, it is imperative that the level of competence of each stakeholder is matched to the demands placed on them by the new regulations. This presentation will highlight the ways in which the stakeholders have gone about trying to address the issues of ensuring their competence to deal with the introduction of the new ergonomics regulations. It will further explore some of the challenges that remain to be overcome and question whether or not the system (and the various stakeholders) are currently mature enough to cope with the introduction of broad and wide ranging ergonomics regulations.