Ergonomist

Description

Ergonomists analyse the design of equipment, furniture, and systems in order to improve it toward safer, healthier, and more efficient ones. They strive to improve the interaction of people with equipment and the environment.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to ergonomist:

ergonomic scientist
ergonomic researcher
ergonomic research scientist
ergonomic research analyst
ergonomic science researcher
ergonomists
ergonomic analyst

Minimum qualifications

Associate’s degree is generally required to work as ergonomist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Ergonomist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Ergonomist career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to ergonomist.

industrial designer
design engineer
automotive engineer
automotive designer
industrial tool design engineer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of ergonomist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of ergonomist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of ergonomist.

Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
Design principles: The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
Human anatomy: The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
Copyright legislation: Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Ergonomics: The science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of ergonomist.

Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
Determine suitability of materials: While designing products, determine if materials are suitable and available for production.
Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
Analyse ergonomics in different workplaces: Analyse how people interact with machinery, equipment, and work spaces from an ergonomic point of view.
Draft design specifications: List the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.
Conduct research on trends in design: Conduct research on present and future evolutions and trends in design, and associated target market features.
Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Consult with design team: Discuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.
Draw design sketches: Create rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ergonomist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Occupational physiology: The complex physiology of specific jobs and its relation to disorders and medical conditions and the way to optimize health, work ability, and productivity.
Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Manufacturing processes: The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
Aesthetics: Set of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.
Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
3d modelling: The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D printing devices.
Industrial design: The practice of designing products to be manufactured through techniques of mass production.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ergonomist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Apply 3d imaging techniques: Implement a variety of techniques such as digital sculpting, curve modelling and 3D scanning to create, edit, preserve and use 3D images, such as point clouds, 3D vector graphic and 3D surface shapes.
Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Gather feedback from employees: Communicate in an open and positive manner in order to assess levels of satisfaction with employees, their outlook on the work environment, and in order to identify problems and devise solutions.
Adapt to new design materials: Without neglecting more traditional techniques and materials, monitor materials innovation such as new resin, plastic, paints, metals, etc. Develop ability to use them and include them in design projects.
Build a product’s physical model: Build a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.
Design prototypes: Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
Adapt existing designs to changed circumstances: Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
Teach ergonomics in work place: Teach employees how to use their bodies properly in relation to machinery and equipment without harming themselves.
Write manuals: Write down instructions about how to properly and safely use equipment, machinery, and systems.
Assess ergonomics of the workplace: Assess ergonomics of the workplace in relation to the human resources.
Prepare production prototypes: Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.

ISCO group and title

2263 – Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Ergonomist – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022