Occupational Ergonomics. Theory and Applications

摘要

This title is designed to address both the fundamentals of ergonomics and their applications in methods used to assess ergonomic risks and their control at work.The content includes a fair mix of theory and applications intended to add value to and with clients. Examples of the latter include a chapter on a systemic approach to workstation evaluation and design; another on the design and evaluation of a musculoskeletal and work history questionnaire; others considering disability and rehabilitation and yet others on what might be classified as the 'business' side of ergonomics and the legal aspects. In a society where national economies are becoming increasingly based on knowledge, the inclusion of a chapter on processes of knowledge translation and technology transfer, with a customary checklist rubric, is apt. Seven Chapters present case studies about ergonomic applications in healthcare, agriculture, construction, warehousing and the automotive industry; and four physical agents in workplaces are examined: occupational heat stress, nonionizing radiation, occupational human vibration, noise exposure and control. There is also an appendix presenting seventeen checklists likely to be refreshing reminders for experienced practitioners and useful guides for new entrants, and another with a summary guide to seven sources of ergonomic software. Finally, a framework for developing medical surveillance programs to monitor and control ergonomic-related challenges to the workplace addresses the issue of connecting physical risk factors to the development of adverse health outcomes.