Safer and Smarter: Why Human Factors and Ergonomics Standards Matter

Human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) standards are essential for enhancing safety, efficiency and user-centered design across various industries, reducing errors and promoting inclusivity.

• By Bob Fox, Ram Maikala
• Aug 16, 2024

Confusing mobile apps and unclear instructions can be frustrating for anyone. But imagine if these everyday annoyances weren't just inconvenient but held the potential to be dangerous.

That's where human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) standards come in. Developed by the relevant professional associations and learned societies, these standards ensure the things workers interact with every day are designed with them in mind, prioritizing safety and efficiency. Rooted in the principles of HF/E, these standards consider human capabilities to create smooth, user-friendly interactions, as well as the design of physical work tasks and workspaces.

For decades, professional associations have helped create U.S. safety standards for product design and influence international standards, including new standards that help designers consider user safety and ease of use from the beginning of the design process. Examples can include the design of office furniture to ensure a home workstation is comfortable and safe or the blueprints for new buildings to have handicap-accessible walkways.

While they influence day-to-day lives in ways some may not notice, these same standards are critical in high-pressure environments like aviation. For example, while pilot error plays a role in 53 percent of aircraft incidents, poorly designed control layouts can hinder situational awareness and contribute to these errors.

Thankfully, advancements in aircraft design are addressing this by incorporating HF/E principles. For example, the introduction of airborne weather radars in the 1950s drastically improved pilot awareness and safety in unpredictable weather conditions.

This focus on human-system interaction extends far beyond aviation. Industry standards that consider all aspects of human-system interaction play a crucial role in ensuring safe, efficient and user-centered design across various industries.

The Power of Human Factors in Standards

On the surface, the concept of human factors is quite simple. Yet, the impact of HF/E can be profound – ultimately serving the “simple” purpose of reducing human error.

HF/E is a scientific discipline that informs industry standards to increase productivity and enhance safety and comfort. The core principles of HF/E include user-centered design, reducing physical and cognitive load, and considering human capabilities and limitations. Neglecting these principles can lead to usability problems, decreased productivity and — most dangerously — ergonomics and safety hazards. However, integrating these ergonomics and human factors principles within industry standards has undoubtedly led to safer, smoother, and smarter designs and utilization of technologies.

Reduced Errors and Enhanced Safety

Thanks to human factors standards, critical controls of any operating vehicle have been redesigned to be more intuitive. Imagine stepping into a modern airplane and seeing cryptic symbols and confusingly placed dials. It would be any pilot’s nightmare, especially considering they are responsible for the safety of the individuals aboard the flight. By abiding by industry standards, templatized and logical layouts minimize pilot efforts by reducing the mental workload during critical moments.

Outside of aviation, HF/E principles affect other fields like medical and automotive as well.

In hospitals, clear labeling of medical devices based on HF/E principles ensures proper use by healthcare staff and professionals. Standardized label formats across different devices of the same kind, such as all infusion pumps and syringes, reduce the risk of mismeasurement and the need for healthcare professionals to relearn procedures for each device. These standards, along with consistent labeling with symbols and icons across medication, mandated instructions for use on complex devices, and bold warnings and precautions on medical equipment and medicine all minimize errors and improve patient safety and outcomes.

For example, studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demonstrate that incorporating HF/E principles in automobile dashboard design such as clear displays for speed and fuel can significantly decrease driver distraction accidents.

HF/E principles can also influence the design of the automobile itself, such as ergonomic seating for comfort and reduced fatigue. Moreover, new technological advancements like voice command, reverse cameras and lane departure warnings have ensured safety by supporting human capabilities and minimizing distraction.

By prioritizing clear and intuitive interfaces, we can ensure that humans and machines work together seamlessly, promoting safety and efficiency across various industries.

Driving Productivity, Efficiency, Accessibility and Inclusivity

Outside of keeping humans safe, HF/E principles also drive productivity and efficiency for all audiences in their everyday lives. Ever wonder why using an ATM in any location from any bank feels universal?

Imagine struggling to find the "withdraw cash" button on an ATM. Industry standards that are based on user-centered design ensure a consistent layout across different banks. Buttons are typically placed in similar locations, with clear labels and universal symbols. This consistency helps make interfaces intuitive so that users don’t have to waste time figuring things out.

Beyond consistency, HF/E standards also incorporate accessibility and inclusivity. Since they are meant to consider human capabilities and limitations, accessibility plays a vital role in ensuring that interfaces are usable by people with disabilities. For example, websites that follow these standards will offer screen reader compatibility, color contrast guidelines for users with color blindness and closed captions for those with difficulty hearing.

Design accessibility is not only a good best practice, but also the making of a good business. By creating efficient and accessible products, businesses can cater to a wider audience, making them more successful in the long run.

A Future Shaped by Human Factors and Ergonomics

While the benefits of human factors standards are undeniable, implementation can sometimes face challenges like cost considerations and resistance to change. However, the long-term gains in safety, efficiency and user satisfaction far outweigh these hurdles.

As the field of HF/E continues to evolve, associations remain committed to shaping future standards that prioritize human well-being and create a world where technology seamlessly complements our capabilities.

By connecting researchers and academicians from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, engineering and industrial design we can advocate for human factors standards that shape a safer, more efficient and more user-friendly future.