Ergonomics deals with the application of information about human behaviour, capabilities and limitations to the design of systems, machines, tools, tasks or jobs and environments for productive, safe and effective human use. The goal of ergonomics is to ensure a good fit between the workers and their job, thereby maximizing worker comfort, safety and health, productivity and efficiency. Ergonomics literally means the laws of the work.
To assess the fit between a person and their work, ergonomists have to consider many aspects. These include:
■ the job being done and the demands on the worker;
■ the equipment used (its size, shape, and how appropriate it is for the task);
■ the information used (how it is presented, accessed, and changed);
■ the physical environment (temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, vibration); and
■ the social environment (such as teamwork and supportive management
By assessing these aspects of people, their jobs, equipment, and working environment and the interaction between them, ergonomists are able to design safe, effective and productive work systems.

Applying ergonomics to the workplace:
■ reduces the potential for accidents;
■ reduces the potential for injury and ill health; and
■ improves performance and productivity.
Ergonomics can reduce the likelihood of an accident. For example, in the design of control panels, consider:
■ the location of switches and buttons - switches that could be accidentally knocked on or off might start the wrong sequence of events that could lead to an accident;
■ expectations of signals and controls - most people interpret green to indicate a safe condition. If a green light is used to indicate a ‘warning or dangerous state’ it may be ignored or overlooked;
■ information overload - if a worker is given too much information they may become confused, make mistakes, or panic. In hazardous