Design and disease.
Ergonomics has the aim of promoting efficiency, comfort and health. In research and practice, efficiency and comfort are generally the main criteria; one assumes too easily that the health promoting effect goes parallel. Disease of the musculoskeletal system are a major source of health related absenteeism in industry. A study revealed that the ergonomic situation of the work place is connected, in many cases, with the occurrence of physical symptoms of these diseases. Bad design of machines, tools, furniture and other equipment from an ergonomic point of view has a great influence on the state of health of the users. To improve this situation more integration of engineering and human sciences is needed. Education of engineers in ergonomic principles is therefore of great importance.
van Wely
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Philips Medical Service, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.