ABSTRACT
The ergonomic design concept is a set of references that should be established in the very first beginning of a new work condition design that defines future work. These ergonomic references give input to work and learning process evolution, work environment design-architectural and layout-and informational and interface devices design, to mention some (Santos and Zamberlan, 1992). These references can be presented as architectural drawings (blueprints), 3D digital maquettes and ergonomic standards that should be adopted by the design team. The ergonomic design helps to define the future work condition concept with respect to human intervention. That guarantees that
1 INTRODUCTION
The aim of this paper is to present an ergonomic study applied to chemical laboratories of an oil and gas research center. The ergonomic work analysis was the main methodological approach applied to this study (Wisner, 1995). The Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA) is a methodology in which, as the result of studying behaviors in the work situation, provides an understanding of how the operator builds the problem, indicates any obstacles in the path of this activity, and enables the obstacles to be removed through ergonomic action (Wisner, 1995). The central point of this methodology is the analysis of real work activities performed by workers. Ergonomic work analysis can also be defined as a method which enables, through observation and work activity analysis, the determinants and constraints recognition of work situations and their consequences for the workers health and the production system. This method can be accomplished by following steps: Demand identification, modeling activities: Use of methods and techniques for search, collection and analyses of data and information to produce the positive transformations in work situation and results: Specification that ensures the positive transformation of labor reality.
