HANDBOOK OF HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS

Abstract

Over the last 60 years human factors, a term that is used here synonymously with ergonomics [and denoted as human factors ergonomics (HFE)], has been evolving as a unique and independent discipline that focuses on the nature of human–artifact interactions, viewed from the unified perspective of the science, engineering, design, technology, and management of humancompatible systems, including a variety of natural and artificial products, processes, and living environments (Karwowski, 2005). The various dimensions of such defined ergonomics discipline are shown in Figure 1.

The International Ergonomics Association (IEA, 2003) defines ergonomics (or human factors) as the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a system and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.