ABSTRACT
One of the simplest definitions of ergonomics is matching the physical, physiological, and psychological requirements of the job with the capabilities of the human operator. This goal is obviously not new and has long been an important component of ensuring the operational effectiveness of both military and commercial operations from the perspectives of productivity and product quality. Traditional industrial engineering efforts in methods and work measurement have also addressed job analysis and documentation from the time of Taylor and the Gilbreths. The adequacy of the match between operator capability and job requirements also affects a company’s indirect costs related to absenteeism, turn-over rates, and training costs. In addition to reducing the quality of working life, a mismatch contributes to lost time, accidents and injuries, restricted work assignments, as well as workers’ compensation costs. A factor that has increased industry’s attention to job requirements is the need to be in regulatory compliance.
