KANBrief 3/15

Ergonomics standards to be made more practicable and visible

Within standardization, ergonomics is a horizontal discipline. It concerns the design of systems, products and services in consideration of the characteristics, needs and abilities of human beings. Georg Krämer, until 2015 Chairman of the ISO/TC 159 Ergonomics technical committee, and his successor Peter Frener, describe the efforts currently being made in ergonomics standardization to lend greater visibility to ergonomics in all areas of application.

Mr Krämer, what aspects of ergonomics standardization have changed in recent years?

Ergonomics standardization encompasses numerous areas of activity, which are organized in the most diverse of working groups. In order for standardization activity to be conducted more efficiently with the existing numbers of experts, it was necessary for the structures of the international, European and national committees to be harmonized. This objective has been pursued circumspectly, and a clear structure of functions and cooperation now exists.

With regard to the content, ergonomics standardization in its initial stages was primarily concerned with the design of work. Over the course of time, it became necessary to extend the scope of ergonomics beyond workplaces, and to describe ergonomic requirements within a generic standard. With EN ISO 26800, a document was created that for the first time set out normative provisions for ergonomics and principles for the entire life cycle of products in all areas of life.

The greatest challenge is presented by the huge variety of applications of ergonomics. In order for standards to be able to reflect the state of the art, comprehensive knowledge is required in a range of areas. To generate this knowledge we have set up networks with a wide range of institutions, and appointed contacts. National ergonomics associations and their European and international institutions, the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) respectively, are among our most important partners.

What measures are you taking against unsatisfactory application of the ergonomics standards, which repeatedly gives grounds for criticism?

ISO/TC 159 was founded in 1974 and has published 120 ergonomics standards to date. On the whole however, these standards have still reached only a small group of experts and have not (yet) been dissipated as widely as hoped. Our motto must therefore be not only to do good, but also to spread the message. It is important to identify means of raising awareness of the standards.

A working group within CEN/TC 122 has assumed this task and in conjunction with the FEES has conducted a survey of the use and benefit of the ergonomics standards. The individual working groups will now develop the results of this study step by step. One example is the recommendation that the introduction to the standard be formulated in consideration of the user when a standard is drafted or revised, in order for the benefit of the standard and its use alongside existing standards to be made more transparent and logical.

Mr Frener, what form would you like to see taken by ergonomics standardization in the future?

European legislation in particular has shifted the importance of the ergonomic design of processes, installations and tools into the spotlight and made it topical. In order for these growing requirements to be met, we must seek to exert influence directly within other areas of standardization. An example is the standardization group for combined personal protective equipment, which is currently being formed and in which experts for individual components are to be joined by experts on ergonomics. Should this example be followed, we will be able to use it to design our environment more ergonomically piece by piece.

What aspects are particularly pressing at present?

One concrete task concerns the availability of anthropometric data. Statistical anthropometric data change gradually over time, for example as a result of changes in behaviour and eating habits. Up-to-date data are no longer freely available, particularly in Europe. Some major companies have conducted surveys, but only for their own purposes.

Beginning in the autumn of 2015, a broad-based study is to be conducted in conjunction with the European Commission in order to determine whether the existing anthropometric data for children are still valid. The data are to be updated in a second step. The current values for the whole population in Europe are subsequently to be determined and set out in standards.

These are only some of the projects specifically planned for the immediate future. Ongoing development of standardization work in the area of ergonomics is absolutely essential.