Ergonomic criteria in large-scale engineering design--II. Evaluating and applying requirements in the real world of design.

Ergonomic standards to be used in engineering design are at present being developed throughout the world. However, not much is known about how ergonomic criteria function in an organizational setting. This study investigates how engineering designers in two large-scale engineering projects evaluate ergonomic criteria that are part of the design requirements in the projects. The designers state a clear preference for specific criteria. We also show how all design criteria are subject to organizational constraints, and that specific formulations are not a guarantee for the implementation of ergonomic criteria. Emphasising a few specific criteria might have an educational impact on the designers. The active involvement of an HF specialist is also critical to ensure a positive outcome for ergonomic criteria in the design negotiation process.