Ergonomic analysis of the use of open-plan offices in Brazilian public sector offices.
The open-plan office is a layout used in government offices in Brazil aimed at saving on space occupied and integrating employees. However, the design of these work-stations must follow the characteristics of tasks and their interrelationships, since adverse physical and organizational conditions may have a negative impact on work productivity. From this perspective, this study sought to identify, from the viewpoint of the ergonomics of the built environment, the adequacy of the open-plan government offices for financial auditing accounts and analyzing documents. Use was made of the Ergonomic Methodology for Evaluating the Built Environment--MEAC (in Portuguese) which systematically analyzes the physical space, by using a mix of physical-spatial assessments and tools for identifying how the environment is perceived. The MEAC was employed in three analytical phases of the physical aspects, namely: an analytical phase of the user's perception; a diagnostic phase; and a final phase of propositions.
Master Design, UFPE, PE, Brazil. aplimacosta@gmail.com
Ana Paula Lima
AP
Costa
Vilma
V
Villarouco
D001938:Brazil; D004526:Efficiency; D006804:Ergonomics; D005375:Financial Audit; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017150:Public Sector; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D057188:Workflow