1. Round Table Discussion on Ergonomics Competencies
14 September 2017
ESSA representative: Jan Ryno Smith

2. Ergonomics comes with 3 domains of focus.
Definition for ergonomics
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.
(IEA)
Ergonomics comes with 3 domains of focus.

3. Physical Ergonomics
Cognitive Ergonomics
Organisational
Ergonomics

4. Ergonomics harmonises tasks, jobs, products, systems, organisations and environments with people in terms of human needs, abilities and limitations.

5. Physical Ergonomics
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. 
Relevant topics include:
working postures
materials handling
repetitive movements
work related musculoskeletal disorders
workplace layout.

6. Cognitive Ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. 
Relevant topics include:
mental workload (including fatigue, overload and vigilance)
sensory perception difficulties (e.g. incorrect contrasts)
attention disruptions (including attentional masking)
cognitive incompatibilities (including population stereotypes and display-control modalities)
decision-making (including decision-making aids or required automation levels)
human-computer interaction
human reliability.

7. Organisational Ergonomics
Organisational ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of sociotechnical systems, including their organisational structures, policies, and processes.
Relevant topics include:
communication
crew resource management
work design
design of working times
teamwork
participatory design
community ergonomics
cooperative work
new work paradigms
virtual organisations
telework
quality management.

8. Ergonomics as a discipline
Physical
Cognitive
Organisational

9. Areas of knowledge for ergonomics
A. Ergonomics Principles
1. Ergonomics Approach
2. Systems Theory
B. Human Characteristics
1. Ergonomics: Physiological and physical aspects
2. Ergonomics: Psychological and cognitive aspects
3. Ergonomics: Social and Organisational Aspects
4. Physical Environment
C. Work Analysis Measurement
1. Statistics and Experimental Design
2. Computation and Information Technology
3. Instrumentation
4. Methods of Measurement and Investigation
5. Work Analysis
D. People and Technology
1. Technology
2. Human Reliability
3. Health, Safety and Well-Being
4. Training and Instruction
5. Occupational Hygiene
6. Workplace Design
7. Information Design
8. Work Organisation Design

10. Areas of knowledge for ergonomics
A. Ergonomics Principles
1. Ergonomics Approach
2. Systems Theory
B. Human Characteristics
1. Ergonomics: Physiological and physical aspects
2. Ergonomics: Psychological and cognitive aspects
3. Ergonomics: Social and Organisational Aspects
4. Physical Environment
C. Work Analysis Measurement
1. Statistics and Experimental Design
2. Computation and Information Technology
3. Instrumentation
4. Methods of Measurement and Investigation
5. Work Analysis
D. People and Technology
1. Technology
2. Human Reliability
3. Health, Safety and Well-Being
4. Training and Instruction
5. Occupational Hygiene
6. Workplace Design
7. Information Design
8. Work Organisation Design

11. Ergonomists Certified by ESSA
CEA - Certified Ergonomics Associates
CPE - Certified Professional Ergonomist

12. Certified Ergonomics Associates
A CEA is an interventionist who applies a general breadth of knowledge to analysis and evaluation of currently operating work systems.
A CEA requires no less than three years of study at the tertiary level followed by two years of full-time practical experience.

13. Certified Professional Ergonomist
Certified Professional Ergonomists must prove that they have:
a mastery of ergonomics knowledge, and
a command of the methodologies used by ergonomists in applying that knowledge to the design of a product, process, or environment, and
application of his or her knowledge to the analysis, design, test, and evaluation of products, processes, and environments, and
professional and ethical behaviour.
A CPE requires no less than five years of study at the tertiary level followed by four years of full-time practical experience.

14. Compliance to all the areas of knowledge for ergonomics +
A. Ergonomics Principles
1. Ergonomics Approach
2. Systems Theory
B. Human Characteristics
1. Ergonomics: Physiological and physical aspects
2. Ergonomics: Psychological and cognitive aspects
3. Ergonomics: Social and Organisational Aspects
4. Physical Environment
C. Work Analysis Measurement
1. Statistics and Experimental Design
2. Computation and Information Technology
3. Instrumentation
4. Methods of Measurement and Investigation
5. Work Analysis
D. People and Technology
1. Technology
2. Human Reliability
3. Health, Safety and Well-Being
4. Training and Instruction
5. Occupational Hygiene
6. Workplace Design
7. Information Design
8. Work Organisation Design
E. Applications (Projects)
F. Professional Issues

15. Competent person 1
The Draft Ergonomics Regulations touches on a wide range of ergonomics functions to be performed
It will require people with appropriate ergonomics skills and training to perform
ESSA felt strongly that the definition of a competent person should be restricted to appropriately trained and certified professionals in ergonomics. This implied that Certified Ergonomics Associates and Certified Professional Ergonomists were considered as the minimum level of competency for performing this work.
Definition of a competent person -“A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable ergonomics factors in the working conditions or surroundings. Such a person should be certified as a Certified Professional Ergonomist or Certified Ergonomics Associate”.

16. Competent person 2 However,
ESSA recognises that there may be instances where certified persons are not available, either due to locality, or monetary or other resource shortcomings, to conduct assessments and perform intervention planning.
“In instances where a Certified Professional Ergonomist or Certified Ergonomics Associate is unavailable, then a person who has applicable formal training, knowledge and experience in ergonomics to conduct the ergonomics assessment and draft the ergonomics intervention plan, may perform those tasks.
However, the ergonomics assessment and ergonomics intervention plan must be verified, confirmed, and signed off by a Certified Professional Ergonomist or Certified Ergonomics Associate”.

17. Competent person 3
But what applicable training, knowledge and experience is required?
ESSA believes in inclusive participation by all role players in the further formulation of requirements pertaining to ergonomics that will positively impact South Africa
and
we believe that this very forum is one of the starting points in achieving that goal.