Ergonomics, also known as human engineering, is an applied science that balances the demands of a job, its equipment, and the environment with the capabilities of human workers, with a focus on safety. It’s also the science of creating equipment that improves operator vigor, comfort, and safety. There are many different jobs in the field of ergonomics around the world, ranging from technical, scientific jobs to more people-oriented jobs. Ergonomics jobs are available in both the public and private sectors, and the education required for these jobs ranges from a few months of certification to years of study for a doctorate degree.
When it comes to ergonomics jobs, different companies use different terminology. At one company, a position known as a Safety & Ergonomics Analyst may be referred to as an Ergonomic Risk Analyst at another. Many job titles, such as Safety Specialist or Occupational Health Nurse, do not include the word ergonomics.
An ergonomics certification or degree is required for a variety of ergonomics jobs. Employees with ergonomics degrees are needed in many industries with historically high injury rates, such as mining, electric power, and manufacturing businesses, to analyze job risks and implement safety procedures. Some consulting firms employ ergonomics experts to advise their clients. These jobs are frequently listed employment agencies as scientific, technical, or management consulting services.
Managers of public places, such as hospitals, colleges, universities, and shopping malls, frequently seek someone with an ergonomics degree on their team. This position typically entails assessing the building for public safety hazards, putting in place a safety policy, leading accident investigations, dealing with government regulations, and keeping records. Working for large firms that provide ergonomists to businesses on a per-hour basis is another option in this field. Ergonomics assessments and training are typically provided an ergonomist for a business, such as an office complex, a small industrial company, or a retail store.
People who have an ergonomics degree may also have a second degree, allowing them to specialize in their business or profession. An architect, for example, might use an ergonomics degree to create safer buildings or to customize a workplace for a specific job. An architect’s understanding of ergonomics may aid in the retrofitting of a living or working space for a person with limited abilities, as well as the design of rehabilitation facilities. A person with a nursing degree who pursues a career in occupational health nursing is another example.
People with an ergonomics degree can work in a variety of settings, each of which requires a different set of skills. Workplace safety and the design of devices, products, or equipment are typically divided into two distinct branches of work in ergonomics. Submarines and ships, like the International Space Station and Space Shuttles, are ergonomically designed with the occupants’ safety in mind. The devices on these vehicles are frequently designed or studied ergonomists.
Professors, human factoring, and writers who specialize in the field of ergonomics are examples of ergonomics jobs. People need to be informed about changes in the field of ergonomics because it is constantly changing. Human resource managers, union leaders, and others who deal with people at work are frequently interested in learning how ergonomics can improve their employees’ productivity and safety. In general, ergonomics jobs in the communications field provide a wide range of career options.