Corrective ergonomics is an important concept in the OHS dictionary. It is based on the assumption to modernize workplaces in such a way as to reduce existing risks as much as possible, and additionally increase work efficiency. This can be done in many ways.

Let’s start with the very definition of economics. In the mid-nineteenth century, it was created by Professor Wojciech Bogumił Jastrzębowski. The Greek prefix ergon means work, while nomos is a law or principle. The word refers to the rules of work, as well as learning to work by making the most of opportunities. Modern ergonomics is an interdisciplinary science, because it uses issues from occupational medicine, psychology, sociology and, of course, technical sciences. In terms of ways of influencing workplaces, ergonomics can be divided into corrective and conceptual.

Corrective ergonomics in the simplest definition means the correction of working conditions achieved by modernizing existing workstations, devices and machines that are used on them. Modern corrective ergonomics deals with the analysis of workplaces in terms of their optimal adaptation to the psychophysical capabilities of the employee. An important task of corrective ergonomics is the elimination of hazards that may occur in the work process. In such an analysis, many factors from science are used, which ergonomics uses to the fullest. On the one hand, it is about technical aspects related to the machines used at work, on the other hand, about psychology and medicine, which relate to the person performing a given work.

Corrective ergonomics is the object of interest of OHS service employees performing their duties in the workplace. From the theoretical side, corrective ergonomics is also dealt with by hygienists and occupational medicine doctors. Improvement of working conditions can be carried out by eliminating possible defects that characterize machines and devices. At the same time, corrective ergonomics deals with the study of factors that directly affect a person at the workplace. These include lighting, noise, pollution, temperature and humidity, but also the habits of employees, such as the pace of performing certain activities or the position of the body. The area of interest in corrective ergonomics also includes breaks in work for employees.

The effect of using corrective ergonomics is to improve working conditions in a given plant, but also scientific conclusions that pay off in the future. For example, in modern training of welders, knowledge is passed on, which has been gained thanks to corrective ergonomics.

In parallel to corrective ergonomics, conceptual ergonomics also functions. While corrective ergonomics is about improving working conditions at existing workstations and working machines, conceptual ergonomics is applied earlier – at the design stage. At the workplace level, conceptual ergonomics allows you to better prepare specific workplaces so that specific hazards simply do not appear on them. Both areas are equally important, and most importantly, that they contribute to a higher level of safety in workplaces, reducing the number of accidents and the incidence of occupational diseases.

Source: https://www.seka.pl/czym-jest-ergonomia-korekcyjna/

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.