Michelle M. Robertson

Xerox Leadership through Quality: Merging Human Factors and Safety through Employee Participation

Organizations are addressing problems resulting from increasing international competition and complex technologies by implementing participative management techniques. Recent evidence suggests that participatory ergonomics can be an effective, cost-efficient method for solving a variety of production, human factors, and safety related problems. This paper presents an example of how participative management has been used effectively in introducing human factors, sociotechnical, and safety change in a large international organization. Case studies such as this one demonstrate how participation can reduce costs, training requirements, injuries, and absenteeism.

Cultural Perspectives in Participatory Ergonomics

This paper examines the generalizability of participatory ergonomics to different cultures. Studies using participatory strategies to introduce ergonomic solutions are reviewed across three distinct cultures. The results lead us to believe that these effects are sufficiently robust and not culture or method bound. Four lessons can be learned from these participatory interventions: 1) Interventions should build on local customs; 2) Solutions should be practical and understandable to the participating end-users; 3) Culture should be used as a resource for solving design and cross-cultural problems; and 4) Synergy between the culture and the intervention will enhance the success and magnify problems of the intervention.

Office Ergonomic Interventions: Strategies and Practices

Organizations today are seeking ways to use the work environment as a means of improving worker effectiveness, prevent work related musculoskeletal disorders and to enhance worker health and well-being. This paper presents three case studies where companies have designed, implemented and evaluated office ergonomics interventions. Incorporating a work systems design approach can provide an effective framework for successful office ergonomics interventions.

New ways of work: Different perspectives influencing enviromental design

New ways of work are rapidly changing globally wherein employees can work anywhere at any time. Virtual teams and telework are a common alternative worksite where employees are typically using a computer and mobile device to conduct their work. Satellite office workspaces are prevalent with workers are having sharing desks, or hoteling. With mobile technologies, employees have the flexibility to move around the work environment and conduct computing work tasks any place, at any time. These new workspaces ideally support communication, have a character of place, are comfortable, fulfilling, and secure. They stimulate and encourage the creativity and innovation of individuals and teams whilst performing intensive computing tasks and ensure their safety, health and well-being. Knowing how to use these new, flexible workspaces effectively is also critical for employee safety and performance. This panel discusses several issues regarding new ways of working for and with employees who intensively use computer technology and mobile devices. Panelists will present different viewpoints and perspectives on how the field of ergonomics, human computer interaction and training needs proactive consideration in designing workspaces for support of new ways of working with information computer technologies and mobile devices.

Measuring the Impact of Work Environment Change Programs: A Systems Approach

To understand and address multi-causal work and organizational problems associated with intensive office technologies environments, a macroergonomic approach is taken incorporating a systems analysis tool and process. This paper describes the application of a systems analysis model, coupled with research and case study findings derived from a macroergonomic framework to provide a process for developing and evaluating strategic and systematic solutions. An Economic Advantage analysis is used to evaluate and determine the cost/benefits of each proposed alternative or program solution based on direct and indirect costs and compensation. The benefit of this systems analysis model is the integration of micro and macro-ergonomic approaches for solving organizational problems. Work environment change programs implemented by companies that incorporate a macroergonomic, systems approach demonstrate positive results in minimizing negative health effects based on financial and indirect costs and improved employee and business unit effectiveness.

Macroergonomics Past, Present, and Future A Tribute to the Late Dr. Hal Hendrick and to the Field of Macroergonomics

This panel will be presented by the foremost authorities in the field of Macroergonomics as a tribute to the late Dr. Hal Hendrick. During the presentations and discussion, the panelists may choose to share their fond memories of Hal, while also focusing on the field of Macroergonomics, as Hal, the father of the discipline, would have wanted. Panelists will review the history of the development of the specialty, describe the inherent concepts, discuss the current state-of-the art, and project areas of future application and research. The diverse application areas will include methodologies for examining optimal work systems, participatory ergonomics, community and health systems, and solving specific work-related issues. The panel format will encourage audience-panelist interaction, allowing for a questions and answer session at the conclusion of the panel, as well as an opportunity for all of those involved in the field to share their unique experiences and insights. It is the aim of the panel to not only reflect upon the past, but look to the future of the field of Macroergonomics.

Systematic Evaluation of Office Ergonomics Training Programs

This paper presents a systematic evaluation process to measure the effectiveness and benefits of office ergonomic training programs. Positive effects of such training is illustrated by two case studies involving office environment technologies. Successful components of office ergonomics training are also described.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development: A Macroergonomics Perspective

This paper examines and discusses the implications of a macroergonomic perspective for assimilating advanced manufacturing technological innovations into an organizations human infrastructure. A framework for integrating sociotechnical systems and advanced manufacturing technology design is presented which identifies first-and second-order effects of the new technology on the human infrastructure. The Human Infrastructure Impact Statement (HISS) operationalizes these concepts into a systematic assessment tool. This paper ends with a brief list of some of the pertinent macroergonomic decisions that a manager and a macroergonomist must consider in implementing and designing Advance Manufacturing Technologies.

Evaluating Employee Participation Programs Addressing Health, Safety, and Ergonomic Issues in the United States

With the increase of system complexity, organizations are having to respond to these new demands by utilizing employee involvement methods. This paper attempts to review and examine representative studies of employee participation with particular focus on health, safety and ergonomic issues. Four topics are presented in this paper (1) the different organizational forms of participatory approaches (2) goals of the employee participation programs (3) evaluations criteria of the program and (4) conclusions. It appears that worker participatory programs are successful in addressing health, safety and ergonomie issues. However, in order to insure the success implementing a participatory decision-making program, a macroergonomics perspective should be taken.

A Tribute to Bentzi Karsh: His Contributions to Macroergonomics in Health Care Research and Education

The objective of this session is to display the range of contributions to human factors research and education by Professor Bentzi Karsh who passed away too early in August 2012. The session will consist of a series of presentations by colleagues and students of Professor Karsh to highlight his deep and broad contributions.