Ergonomics and Human Factors

The main resource in any organisation is its workforce. Considering the human element of a workplace is vital for maximum production efficiency and effectiveness and also to ensure the safety and well-being of your staff - and this is what ergonomics is all about. Ergonomics matches each element of a work environment to the capabilities of the workforce to optimise human performance and maximise comfort. Applying sound ergonomics principles can help to:

• increase efficiency;
• prevent accidents and ill health; and
• achieve a more satisfied, productive workforce.

Ergonomics considers many aspects of the human workplace interaction, for example:

• the nature of tasks being carried out and the demands they make on people;
• the equipment used and whether it is appropriate for the task;
• the shapes, sizes and weights of things being lifted, carried or moved and the capabilities of the people undertaking the tasks;
• how information is presented, accessed and manipulated;
• the physical environment including lighting, noise, humidity and temperature.

How can HSL help?
HSL ergonomists use a wide range of methods to advise on improvements to the workplace. We are experienced in both preventative work and in the investigation and resolution of problems, and have worked across many different industries. Whether you are looking for consultancy services, training or research, HSL has the flexibility to put together appropriate teams of specialists to meet your needs.

What can HSL offer?
HSL's ergonomists are experts in the assessment, prevention and reduction of ergonomic-related workplace risk and can provide professional assistance in the following areas:

• Risk assessment for manual handling and upper limb disorders;
• Workstation and DSE Assessments;
• Applied anthropometry and biomechanics;
• Design, usability and safety of tools and work equipment;
• Visual ergonomics;
• Environmental assessment: lighting, noise, thermal, vibration;
• Workplace modelling using virtual reality and 3-D Computer Aided Design;
• Risk perception and communication;
• Safety and risk management systems;
• Development of safe working procedures;
• Design of shift and roster patterns;
• Human error analysis.

Consultancy Services
Our consultancy services draw on our technical knowledge gained through years of research and experience of countless workplace assessments. We can supply a wide range of services from simple solution-orientated workplace assessments to advice on the design and implementation of a full health and safety management system. Our consultancy services include:

• on-site ergonomic assessment and solution generation for specific workplace issues;
• investigation of incidents to identify their root causes;
• formulation and provision of training courses and training materials;
• evaluation and advice on selection of tools and work equipment;
• provision of expert witnesses.

Research Services
As Britain's leading industrial health and safety laboratory, HSL has personnel and facilities ideally suited for research projects investigating detailed work-related issues. The high calibre of HSL's resources allows us to tailor the research to your needs by providing any combination of laboratory-based experimentation with surveys of working populations and environments.

Why Use HSL?
HSL's ergonomists have well over 100 years accumulated experience incorporating hundreds of workplace and job assessments in a wide range of industries.Our work primarily focuses on the improvement of work environments and tasks to secure better health, safety and workplace performance - and because we are also safety experts we know how to link ergonomics projects to overall risk management strategies.

HSL is the main supplier of ergonomics and other scientific support to the Health and Safety Executive and represents the UK on a number of European and International Standards Committees for ergonomics-related standards.

HSL operates a quality management system approved to ISO 9001:2000 by a UKAS-accredited Certification Body. We have a track record of successful project management and are committed to targets agreed with our customers for delivery of projects to time, cost and quality.

Case studies involving ergonomics include:

  Improving Designs of Amusement Rides
  Improving Team Lifting
  Manual Packing in the Brick Industry

Remember
Solutions to ergonomic problems need not be expensive; they are often simple, straightforward and cost effective. Ergonomic assessment can improve productivity and job satisfaction as well as preventing accidents and ill health.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Group by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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