The BRICSplus Network: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives of the Network’s Role in Human Factors and Ergonomics (original) (raw)

An overview of ergonomics in Latin America

In: Patricia Scott (ed.). Ergonomics in developing regions: needs and applications. CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA. pgs. 349-356. 2009. ISBN: 9781420079111. In Latin America, ergonomics took its first steps in Brazilin the 60s. Since then, there has been a progressive development in the region. At present, there are various companies and research institutions which operate in several Latin American countries. The number of Latin American ergonomists at international conferences promoted by IEA has been growing considerably recently and the number of studies represents the current status of ergonomics in each country. This paper offers a brief overview of ergonomics in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. It includes a short description of the history of ergonomics in each country, the training of ergonomists, ergonomics teaching, the areas of interest of ergonomists and the professional practice of ergonomics. Thus, this paper aims to contribute to record keeping of the evolution of ergonomics in Latin America, and to assist with the development of policies towards cooperation, ergonomics development and mutual support among the several associations of ergonomics.

Ergonomics: An emerging concept in industrially developing countries

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 1989

Industrialization via technology transfer is seen as the main development strategy by many developing countries (DC). The assumption that importation of advanced technology on its own, without adapting it to the environmental, physical, mental and sociocultural needs of the workforce in the receipient country wouM bring technical changes for the benefit of the majority of people has proved to be unrealistic. The failure to appreciate the characteristics and preferences of human operators has often frustrated technical development, alienated the work force and achieved little to improve the living and working conditions of the local people. Ergonomics is a useful tool for evaluating the choise of technology and its implementation and can contribute to the safe and productive transfer of technology. However, the area is fairly new or even unknown in many DC. They need assistance to acquire and apply the knowledge to their own need and capacity. It must also be emphasized that the available body of knowledge (e.g. standards, recommendations, procedures, etc.) concerning working conditions, occupational health and safety, which has been developed largely in industrialized countries (1C), often cannot be applied directly to DC, because of significant differences which are existing in all aspects of the work system between IC and DC. Since many factors influencing the nature, extent and diversity of problems are specific to each DC (e.g. climate, people, method of work, facilities, infrastructures of technology, finance, etc.) it is necessary to incorporate research into industrial development programmes.

Ergonomics in Latin America: Background, trends and challenges

This paper offers an introduction to ergonomics in Latin America through a brief overview of ergonomics practice in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico ,and Peru. It provides a short description of the history of ergonomics in each country, ergonomics teaching, its organisation through the ergonomics associations, and some highlights of the areas of interest, and examples of ergonomics practice.

Ergonomics in Brazil and the Brazilian Ergonomics Society [ABERGO]

In: “International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors (2nd. edition)”, edited by Waldemar Karwowsky, New York, Taylor and Francis. 2006. ISBN: 0849392446. Abstract: The origins of Ergonomics in Brazil were presented by Anamaria de Moraes and Marcelo Soares (1989) in the book entitled “Ergonomia no Brasil e no mundo: um quadro, uma fotografia” (Ergonomics in Brazil and in the world: a picture, a photograph), where the authors state that the first initiatives towards the implementation of the discipline in Brazil took place within the industrial design and engineering fields, especially manufacturing engineering. In their investigation of early Brazilian Ergonomics history, the authors gathered information by interviewing several precursors and concluded that six main sources were responsible for the dissemination of Ergonomics in Brazil.

Ergonomics in the Future World: Perspectives from Australia and New Zealand

Work, 2019

BACKGROUND: The International Ergonomics Association is a professional association for human factors and ergonomics (HFE) professionals. Australia and New Zealand are two of 52 Federated Societies within the IEA. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes an Ergonomics and the Future World (EFW) workshop held at the IEA Triennial Congress in 2018 (IEA2018), and reports the findings of the Australia / New Zealand (Southern Cross) Cluster (SCC). METHODS: Four questions were developed by the IEA EFW committee to evaluate the ergonomics state-of-play in various world regions. Southern Cross delegates (N = 17) participated in a 90-minute workshop discussion at IEA2018 (45% participation rate for SCC delegates). A summary was presented during the IEA2018 closing ceremony and as a written report for the IEA. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the SCC discussions: (i) the impact of technology advances on HFE professional practice;(ii) communication with internal and external stakeholders; and (iii) HFE education. CONCLUSIONS: The workshop findings are similar to issues raised at local discussions in Australia and New Zealand over past decades and mirror comments and opinions published by authors in the HFE profession. They provide a benchmark for current SCC opinion and may provide direction for future discussion of these recurring issues.

Global Ergonomics Month: Experiences, Stories and Initiatives Around the World

Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018

Invited International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Federated Society and Network Presidents will participate in this symposium and present their respective Global Ergonomics Month (GEM) activities, initiatives, and awareness efforts among local communities, industries, government agencies, and schools. IEA acknowledges these outstanding efforts and strongly supports these local and national initiatives. Together, these worldwide initiatives help to promote the science, application and the profession of Ergonomics and Human Factors. Audience engagement to discuss what GEM activities could be further promoted, along with considering possible joint worldwide activities and initiatives in celebration of the upcoming IEA 60 th anniversary.