Ergonomics in industrially developing countries

Abstract

After introducing the concept of industrially developing countries (I.D.C), a review of the ergonomic literature, mainly produced by authors working in the I.D.C, is presented under three headings. The first part is related to basic ergonomic data: anthropometry, work at heat, limited cardio-respiratory work capacities, effects of tropical diseases, influence of shift-work, role of possible ethnic cognitive differences. Ergonomics in traditional activities is presented from evidence produced mainly in Brazil and Asia ( India, Indonesia, Philippines) by authors who are performing field studies in agriculture and cottage industries. The final part is devoted to the transfer of technology. Many factories transferred from industrialized countries to I.D.C.s provide poor results both from health and production viewpoints when they are transferred without careful ergonomical and anthropotechnological analysis and recommendations. At the opposite, very successful results are frequently observed in the ‘ anthropotechnological islands’ organized by multinational firms. But the special conditions realized there cannot be generalized to all the factories transferred in the common industrial network of some I.D.C.s In fact, too frequently, this network is weaker than in the industrialized countries: technical help may be too scarce, electricity and water supplies may be irregular. To obtain good results in these circumstances the work organization has not only to be transferred with the machines but also adapted: special attention is then paid to maintenance and communication inside the factory, to avoid incomplete, imperfect or inadequate organization transfer. The conclusion stresses the importance of better scientific exchanges between ergonqmists working in the field of agricultural and industrial development