ABSTRACT
The practice of ergonomics lacks instruments to either map or regulate cognitive, organizational and environmental related impacts. When ergonomic transformations through design - such as a new workstation or facility design - is at play, ergonomists tend to yield terrain to design professionals and engineers. Empirical evidence shows that participation of ergonomists as project facilitators, may contribute to an effective professional synergy amongst the stakeholders in a multidisciplinary venue. When that happens, eventual conflicts are dissipated in exchange for more convergent design alternatives. In addition, ergonomics professionals are supposed to be neutral participants, even though they tend to assure proper work conditions are guaranteed. This paper presents a participatory design method, in which users are encouraged to participate in the design process by sharing their work activities with the design team. The results inferred from the ergonomic action and translated into a new design, are then compiled into a "Ergonomic Pattern Manual".
