Participatory ergonomics approaches to design and intervention in workspaces: a literature review

Abstract

Participatory ergonomics relies on the involvement of people to constitute or improve their work environments. The present study aims to answer through a literature review how ergonomic interventions are performed in these environments. The research focussed on workspace design and processes related to participative ergonomics. The search in Scopus was performed for the period 2016 to 2020. From 200 articles, 28 were tabulated for content analysis encompassing the themes of ergonomic approach modes, use of intermediate objects and technological solutions adopted. The majority of the studies found were inserted in hospital, office and maritime/port environments. The results show that ergonomics approaches face diverse challenges: financial and time constraints, power asymmetries, experience levels, social, cultural and individual issues. Nevertheless, it sets out to develop skills, activities, competencies, and to organise these in a global and structured way. Further studies in a wide diversity of databases are needed to follow up the analysis of such approaches and conceptions of work activity.

PRACTITIONER SUMMARY

This study conducted a review of the literature on ergonomic approaches in a variety of workspaces, whether they are being transformed or designed. Attention was sought for commonalities of approaches that resulted in the topics regarding intermediate objects and the technological impact on recent ergonomic interventions. The main finding denotes a greater need to consolidate virtual and physical tools and methods and to investigate an intervention framework that is applicable to most interventions, in addition to responding to the major challenges pointed out by the articles.

Keywords:

• Intermediary objects
• simulation
• participatory ergonomics
• collaborative workspace design
• project management

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) for the support, encouragement and background.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency.

Notes on contributors

Vitor Rodrigues

Vitor Rodrigues Master Student in Production Engineering at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) and graduate in Production Engineering at the Federal University of São João del-Rei (UFSJ).

Raoni Rocha

Raoni Rocha Doctor in Cognitive Sciences and Ergonomics (University of Bordeaux). Adjunct professor at the Department of Production Engineering, Administration and Economics at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP).