Participatory workspace design: A new approach for ergonomists?

Ergonomics are rarely addressed directly in the design and re-design of industrial workspaces in Denmark. Often architects, engineers and other actors design the workspaces on the basis of for example spatial, technological or financial considerations, thereby making industrial ergonomics a by-product of the design process. However, by introducing ergonomists in the role of ‘workspace designers’ early in the design process, ergonomic considerations as well as the involvement of employees, can be integrated in the design process. In this article we demonstrate the use of the workspace design approach in a case study where an industrial manufacturer is undergoing a major technological change: going from labour intensive manual work to a highly automated production. The workspace design team, which included the company's OHS consultant, designed the intervention as a participatory design process by using visually based methods such as workbooks, layout workshops and use scenarios. Employees, management and external design engineers alike took actively part in the design process. The general outcome of the intervention was some very concrete changes in the proposed design layout, an enhanced clarity of the production procedures in the new plant, and an identification of potential future ergonomic problems. This case study indicates that workspace design can be a new approach for OHS consultants.