PRACTICAL ERGOMONICS CAN, AND MUST, PLAY A MORE DYNAMIC ROLE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

[ Pat Scott ] - Rhodes University, South Africa

خلاصه مقاله:

Ergonomics is seen as being predominately practiced in Industrially Advanced Countries (IACs). Yet despite the rigorous research which has been conducted in these counties over the last 50 years or more, ergonomists are still struggling to get this applied science accepted as an integral part of optimising the daily activities of humans at home, playing sport or within their working environment. As the diversity of specializations increase it would appear that practical application decreases. In contrast it is generally accepted that there is little or no knowledge of ergonomics in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs), and by comparison very little research. While this is certainly the case at present, this paper argues that with the correct approach IDCs could well lead the way in demonstrating how crucial the application of ergonomics is, within any work-site in any country, in assisting the region to fulfil its potential by improving productivity while minimising physical and mental workloads placed on employees.
If we accept that ergonomics (“the science of work”) is about people at work, and that the majority of people work in developing regions, then the only conclusion we can draw is that IDCs urgently require the practical application of ergonomics. Although there is much rhetoric about our “global village” and “equity”, the truth of the situation is that the majority of the world’s leading ergonomists are working in advanced countries, and the most abused workers, and worst work sites are in developing countries. This inequity needs to be giving top priority by leaders of the IEA, ILO, WHO and ICOH, and by the growing number of locals concerned about the situation in their own country. In a world of increasing problem areas there has been talk of our survival requiring sustainable “global solutions” (Sachs, 2008); but first we need a global awareness of the cold realities of the billions of workers suffering daily under appalling conditions (Scott, 2006).
The only way to fully experience the benefits of ergonomics is to apply its theoretical principles to the world of hard labour. One therefore needs rigorous investigations in situ, be it through consultancy work or research; both are essential and the two can have a most valuable symbiotic relationship. In addition, in ergonomically emerging countries where there is a scarcity of qualified ergonomists, there is a necessity for educational programmes both at a tertiary level with degree programmes, and at a basic practical level in the form of workshops where the emphasis is on creating an awareness of the situation and how best to address the problems. By establishing “Ergonomics Facilitation Teams” within companies it is possible to create an ergonomics ethos which will be profitable to both employees and employers - “good ergonomics IS good economics.