Ergonomics and ethics in a changing society

Ergonomists deal with people and the interactions they have with their work and the world around them. It is self-evident that the results of ergonomic interventions should be beneficial to the recipients. But the ergonomist also has responsibilities to the employer and, as the results of ergonomics interventions may have wider consequences, to society as a whole. The paper discusses some of these wider implications and suggests that in a changing society, where people wish to have more say in what affects their welfare, a strong professional body is a requirement if ergonomics is not to be discredited. Even more, we need discussion which will alert ergonomists to the wider implications of their work so that we are more aware of the wider picture, and can gain professional support for those situations when our decisions depart from what may be considered the norm.