AN ERGONOMIC APPROACH TO MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL RISKS IN THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH SYSTEM

Abstract

Ergonomics in the field of occupational safety is a scientific discipline that focuses on ensuring comfortable and safe working conditions. It studies the interaction between people, technology, and the environment, aiming to adapt workplaces to employees’ physical and cognitive capabilities.

The primary goal of ergonomics is to protect workers’ health, reduce fatigue, and improve the safety and efficiency of the work process. Research in this field is aimed at creating safe, comfortable, and highly efficient working conditions. This helps preserve workers’ health and increase their productivity.

Ergonomics views people, technology, and the environment as a single system; analyzes the work process through the sequence of an operator’s actions, goals, and tasks; adapts equipment and furniture to human anatomy; and studies fatigue and the strain on the nervous system and the senses.

This scientific article analyzes occupational ergonomics as an interdisciplinary science that studies human interaction with the work environment to improve efficiency, safety, and comfort. The term “ergonomics” was coined by Wojciech Jastrzębski in the 19th century, while in the 20th century, this discipline evolved into an independent science due to industrial and military demands following World War II.

Current trends include adapting to digitalization, automation, and remote work, highlighting the importance of cognitive ergonomics and human-machine interaction. The economic aspect underscores the cost-effectiveness of ergonomic solutions: reducing injuries and absenteeism, as well as increasing productivity, leads to savings in labor costs.

The article offers practical recommendations, such as personalizing workstations and applying modern technologies, and identifies areas for further research on integrating ergonomic principles into cutting-edge technologies, particularly virtual reality and artificial intelligence.