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Macroergonomic analysis and design for improved safety and quality performance.

B M Kleiner1

  • 1Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Center, Dept. of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 519 Whittemore Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0118, USA. bkleiner@vt.edu

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE
|December 22, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Macroergonomics integrates microergonomics, total quality management (TQM), and sociotechnical systems (STS) for improved performance. Case studies show this approach enhances safety culture and product quality, suggesting benefits beyond traditional ergonomics.

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Area of Science:

  • Industrial Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Organizational Psychology

Background:

  • Macroergonomics builds upon sociotechnical systems theory, quality management, and ergonomics.
  • Existing methodologies often address aspects of work systems in isolation.
  • There is a need for an integrative approach to optimize overall system performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present macroergonomics as a basis for an integrative methodology.
  • To demonstrate how microergonomics, TQM, and STS can be triangulated.
  • To highlight quality and safety as key performance criteria within this framework.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed presentation of a macroergonomics methodology.
  • Application of the methodology in two distinct case studies.

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  • Triangulation of microergonomics, TQM, and STS principles.

    • Main Results:

    • Case study 1: Achieved a "safety culture" at a nuclear site by manipulating personnel and technical factors.
    • Case study 2: Improved tire manufacturing quality through joint consideration of technical and social factors.
    • Macroergonomics demonstrated potential for greater performance gains compared to ergonomic intervention alone.

    Conclusions:

    • The proposed macroergonomics methodology offers a unified approach to system design and improvement.
    • Integrating quality and safety as performance criteria is crucial for organizational success.
    • Further research, including formative and summative studies, is needed to refine and validate the methodology.