Visual Ergonomics in Control Rooms – An Example of Creativity in Practice

Control rooms are used in a variety of industries. Digital displays are often prominent as wallboards (overviews) and as multiple desktop displays. If the displays are not optimally configured for the work tasks and lines of sight, then individuals can develop visual and physical discomfort, and there may be adverse effects on work flow. This business case study reports the process used by an architect-ergonomist team to provide very early schematic design advice for 15 control rooms in which visual ergonomics was an integral component. End users were engaged in the design process by blending the requirements of ISO11064 for the conceptual design of control rooms with a modified participatory ergonomics approach. The principle observation is that the process engenders greater ownership of the design by the end users and pride in their new workplace when the control room is built. Engaging end users in the schematic design process also provides an opportunity for developing creative solutions to visual ergonomics design problems.