ABSTRACT
Many industrial injuries and illnesses can be attributed to poor design features. Mishaps are often the unintended consequences of either using or misusing designed products. At times these mishaps result in fatalities that are attributed to “human error.” The question is error on whose part, the victim’s or the designer’s? The designer’s job is to forecast potential uses and misuses of products through design. The integration of ergonomics principles at the product or process development phase helps to minimize unintended consequences. This attention at the design phase reduces and even prevents injuries and illness among end users. If ergonomics is to be integrated into the design process, however, organizational principles must be integrated into the design factors. This process is difficult and the barriers are multiple.
