The Impact of Ergonomics

Ergonomists offer services to organizations. The goal of their work is to provide safety and health at work in combination with a sound human performance. However, the impact of ergonomics efforts is not always as good as ergonomists and human factors specialists want. This chapter aims to support these specialists in their work. Starting with the developments in ergonomics from its two basis backgrounds, it focuses on the benefits of ergonomics for companies and workers. An example of an approach, performed at large scale, illustrates how the impact of ergonomics can be illustrated. The chapter continues with a view on education and training of skills and competencies, and with a note on certification. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.