[Progress in physiology and ergonomics and its significance for occupational hygiene]

Over the recent decades, advancements in occupational physiology and occupational psychology have primarily been observed in two domains: the increased knowledge of mechanisms responsible for the development of physical and mental fatigue and the elaboration of new methods facilitating their quantitative assessment. The way these advancements have been utilized and the range of their application result from new hygiene requirements imposed by the changed context and organization of work. The integration of these scientific disciplines is best accomplished in ergonomics, particularly through designing and optimization of working conditions in view of the best possible adjustment of technology and work organization to the psycho-physical needs of workers. Changes in occupational activities are associated with a gradual replacement of jobs that require much dynamic effort by those that involve static and mental efforts. Classic occupational physiology dealing with systemic changes occurring during a dynamic effort is largely superseded by studies (biochemical and electrophysiological) of changes in cellular physiology evoked by static effort and changes that accompany mental overload and stress. Over the last few years, occupational physiology and ergonomics have faced a number of macroproblems of demographic nature, e.g. aging of the population, and a growing number of people with disabilities who have to be employed. It is now the responsibility of ergonomics to create working conditions taking account of the needs of these particular occupational groups. A significant methodological progress has been made due to new opportunities, which allow to simulate and model situations with body overload. New methods are based on computerized programs that incorporate data from all fields necessary to assess and design working conditions (anthropometry, biomechanics, safety engineering etc.).