Implementing Practical Ergonomics Knowledge Transfer Using Ergonomic Checkpoints to Support the Participatory Ergonomics Process in an Industrially Developing Country

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Human Factors and Ergonomics
• Industrial Engineering

Background:

• Knowledge transfer of ergonomics principles presents challenges in developing nations.
• Systemic implementation requires engagement across all organizational levels, particularly workers, guided by ergonomics experts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate effective strategies for ergonomics knowledge transfer and application in organizational settings.
• To evaluate the impact of participatory ergonomics approaches on learning and competence.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a participatory ergonomics process incorporating top-down and bottom-up approaches.
• Utilizing action learning, a learner-centered methodology, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) ergonomic checkpoints.
• Facilitation by an ergonomics expert to guide knowledge transfer and application.

Main Results:

• Active involvement of all organizational levels, especially workers, significantly improved learning of ergonomics principles.
• The process enhanced personnel competence in identifying issues and implementing practical, often low-cost, solutions for workplace improvements.
• The use of ILO ergonomic checkpoints was instrumental in improving participant learning.

Conclusions:

• Participatory ergonomics, particularly with action learning and a learner-centered focus, is effective for transferring practical ergonomics knowledge.
• Continuous application through improvement cycles can foster an improved ergonomics culture and yield tangible benefits in Human Factors/Ergonomics.
• This approach empowers personnel to create safer and more efficient working conditions.