CONTEMPORARY ERGONOMICS PRACTICE - THE NEW ZEALAND SETTING

摘要

New Zealand as a country is small but the ergonomics community is active, with ergonomics as a discipline comparing well internationally for social presence. Professional cohesion has been helped by a strong, dominant connection with Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. The largest concentration of ergonomists is in evidence- based injury prevention, design and evaluation in the primary industries where New Zealand already has a lead role is growing. International work experience and training is the norm for ergonomists - not the exception as it is in the UK. For ergonomists in New Zealand there are limitations however arising mostly from the geographic isolation. The political and regulatory climate is generally favourable for practice, but the state-level systems have weaknesses, including role-conflict between government bodies.