DIACHRONIC APPROACH TO OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS: HISTORICAL EVOLUTION, CURRENT TRENDS AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Abstract
The article explores ergonomics of work as an interdisciplinary applied science that investigates human interaction with the working environment to enhance efficiency, safety, and comfort during task execution. Adopting a diachronic perspective, the study traces the evolution of ergonomics from early empirical attempts to adapt workplaces in ancient civilizations–such as Hippocrates’ recommendations in the 5th century BCE for organizing a surgeon’s workspace–to contemporary technological advancements, including risk assessment software and biometric sensors. The term "ergonomics" was coined by Wojciech Jastrzębowski in 1857, marking a pivotal moment in its systematization, while the 20th century, particularly post-World War II, saw ergonomics emerge as an independent discipline driven by industrial and military demands, leading to the establishment of specialized societies in the UK (1949) and the USA (1957). Modern trends in ergonomics reflect its adaptation to the challenges of digitalization, automation, and the global shift toward remote work. The rise of remote work, spurred by the pandemic, has underscored the need to adapt ergonomic principles to home environments, where improper equipment placement can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by 25–30%. In industrial and automated systems, the focus has shifted toward human-machine interaction (HMI), with studies by Christopher D. Wickens showing that optimized interface design reduces cognitive load by 20%, and Peter A. Hancock demonstrating that improved display design cuts operator reaction time by 15%. Technologies like Ergoweb EnterpriseSM and 3DSSPP software enable real-time ergonomic risk assessment, reducing analysis time by 30% and facilitating early detection of strain. Economically, ergonomics proves highly beneficial. Research by Waldemar Karwowski indicates that ergonomic interventions in call centers reduce absenteeism by 12% and boost productivity by 10%. Overall savings can reach 20–30% of labor costs by decreasing compensation payouts, injuries, and turnover, while in industrial sectors, ergonomic machine design further cuts operational costs. The article integrates historical context with modern trends, offering a comprehensive analysis of ergonomics’ practical significance. The study proposes practical recommendations, including the personalization of workplaces based on anthropometric and psychological traits, the adoption of technologies like biometric sensors for real-time monitoring, regular training on ergonomic principles for staff and management, and the development of universal standards combining physical and cognitive aspects across industries. Future research directions include adapting historical principles to emerging technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, as well as developing economic models to assess the long-term impact of ergonomic interventions, considering both direct and indirect benefits, such as improved employee satisfaction. Thus, ergonomics of work remains a dynamic field, bridging centuries-old insights with modern innovations to balance health, productivity, and economic viability.
References
1. Merriam-Webster. Ergonomics. In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Available at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergonomics (accessed: 03.03.2025).
2. Carayon P., Hancock P., Leveson N. (2020). Advancing human-centered design in socio-technical systems: The role of cognitive ergonomics. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 84. P. 103027. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.103027
3. Marras W. S., Karwowski W. (2021). Interventions, controls, and applications in occupational ergonomics. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. Vol. 85. P. 103170. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2020.103170
4. Wilson J. R., Sharples S. (2019). Evaluation of human work in digital environments. Ergonomics. Vol. 62, no. 3. P. 345–360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2018.1549542
5. Bridger R. S., Brasher K. (2020). Organizational ergonomics: A systems approach to workplace design. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 88. P. 103156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103156
6. Jastrzębowski W. (1857). An outline of ergonomics, or the science of work based upon the truths drawn from the natural sciences. Nature and Industry. Vol. 1. P. 1–12.
7. Grandjean E., Kroemer K. H. E. (2021). Fitting the task to the human: A textbook of occupational ergonomics. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 92. P. 103312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103312
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders & ergonomics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html (accessed: 03.03.2025).
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders & ergonomics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html (accessed: 03.03.2025).
10. Bridger R. S. (2018). Introduction to ergonomics. 4th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 548 p.
11. Karwowski W., Marras W. S. (ed.). (2019). Occupational ergonomics: Principles of work design. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 800 p.
12. Karwowski W. (2022). Advances in occupational ergonomics and safety. Safety Science. Vol. 143. P. 105432. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105432
13. Hippocrates. On the surgery. [p. 400 BCE].
14. Jastrzębowski W. (1857). An outline of ergonomics, or the science of work based upon the truths drawn from the natural sciences. Nature and Industry. Vol. 1. P. 1–12.
15. Taylor F. W. (1911). The principles of scientific management. New York: Harper & Brothers, 144 p.
16. Murrell H. (1949). The formation of the Ergonomics Society. Ergonomics Society Archives.
17. Hollnagel E. (2018). Safety-I and Safety-II: The past and future of safety management. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 200 p.
18. Wickens C. D., Hollands J. G., Banbury S., Parasuraman R. (2021). Engineering psychology and human performance. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. Vol. 149. P. 102598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2021.102598
19. Hancock P. A., Vincenzi D. A., Wise J. A. (2022). Cognitive ergonomics in human-machine interaction: A review. Human Factors. Vol. 64, no. 1. P. 89–112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00187208211064893
20. Kroemer K. H. E., Grandjean E. (2021). Ergonomics in office work: Principles and practices. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 92. P. 103312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103312
21. Smith J., Brown T. (2020). Software tools for ergonomic assessment: A review. Applied Ergonomics. Vol. 90. P. 103265. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103265
22. Karwowski W. (2022). Advances in occupational ergonomics and safety. Safety Science. Vol. 143. P. 105432. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105432
23. Karwowski W., Salvendy G. (2021). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics. Hoboken: Wiley, 1600 p.
