Ergonomics

Ergonomics is increasingly important in office-product design.

Ergonomics, deriving from the Greek word "ergon" work is now mainly considered to mean "the science of designing machines and environments that are most suited to the efficiency, comfort, safety and peace of mind of those working with them" (see Armbruster, 1983). […] Ergonomics goes beyond the prevention of health hazards, it aims to optimize the coexistence between people and technology within the working environment. […] In the broad sense of the word, ergonomics includes all the physical, social, and psychological aspects of work and workplace design.

Experts now contend that problems at work – low productivity, health hazards, accidents, high turn over – may well have their genesis in the work environment – the result of ignorance of ergonomics. The essence of ergonomics is to design or redesign the work and the work environment to fit people. It aims to ensure that work procedures, tools, equipment and environment are safe, efficient and comfortable by applying engineering, physiological, psychological and anatomical knowledge.

After the fuel economy crisis of the 1970s, the U.S. automotive industry began placing more emphasis on both the aerodynamics and ergonomics fields to satisfy customers' energy-saving and comfort/convenience needs. […] Ergonomics involves "fitting the equipment to the people (or users)." This means the equipment should be designed such that people (population of users) can fit comfortably (naturally) within the equipment and they can use the equipment without any awkward body postures, movements, or errors.

As the titlepage of this latter portion of his work indicates, M. Courcelle Seneuil confines himself to political economy considered as a practical science, or, as he chooses to call it, to ergonomics.