Sara Pazell, PhD, CPE

Over three phases, this project evaluated the human factors aspects of tyre handling equipment design and operation within an Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) - Control Framework approach and provides functional performance requirements for this equipment. It illustrates a process by which human factors principles should be applied to equipment design and operation within the EMESRT Control Framework approach. This project is linked to project C33007 to assist development of… Show more

Over three phases, this project evaluated the human factors aspects of tyre handling equipment design and operation within an Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) - Control Framework approach and provides functional performance requirements for this equipment. It illustrates a process by which human factors principles should be applied to equipment design and operation within the EMESRT Control Framework approach. This project is linked to project C33007 to assist development of the EYECUE technology to minimise and or mitigate hazardous exposures that lead to tyre and rim handling fatalities. Show less

This book provides a great collection of work design testimonies with transferable lessons across many industry sectors and domains. It discusses physiological and cognitive parameters, teamwork, social aspects, organizational, and broader factors that influence work design initiatives.

It is important to learn from practitioner stories and real-world conditions that affect the theoretical applications of work design. Readers will benefit from understanding the struggles and successes of… Show more

This book provides a great collection of work design testimonies with transferable lessons across many industry sectors and domains. It discusses physiological and cognitive parameters, teamwork, social aspects, organizational, and broader factors that influence work design initiatives.

It is important to learn from practitioner stories and real-world conditions that affect the theoretical applications of work design. Readers will benefit from understanding the struggles and successes of the authors. The chapters cover a wide spectrum of human factors and user needs, including decision making in (ab)normal and safety-critical situations, physical ergonomics, design-in-use modifications, and tailored training. The text examines holistic approaches that lead to improved work methods, worker engagement, and effective system-wide interventions.

Ergonomic Insights: Successes and Failures of Work Design is primarily written for professionals and graduate students in the fields of ergonomics, human factors, and occupational health and safety. Educators will also benefit from using these case studies in class lessons. Show less

This paper communicates the position of the Human Factors &
Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA) on Good Work Design (GWD). It
is based on the fundamental principle that GWDis a human-centred approach that
ensures that good work is available to workers. We explain the iterative process
of GWD with reference to the three phases of Discovery, Design and Realisation.

Undergraduate education is competitive. User experience is important to course design because it can improve user-satisfaction and learning. Action research methodology was used in our practice-oriented case study about the application of human-factors methods to re-design an undergraduate second-year occupational therapy course. A cognitive task analysis provided an empirical method to develop this framework. A mixed-method quality improvement process was undertaken. ... The student roles were… Show more

Undergraduate education is competitive. User experience is important to course design because it can improve user-satisfaction and learning. Action research methodology was used in our practice-oriented case study about the application of human-factors methods to re-design an undergraduate second-year occupational therapy course. A cognitive task analysis provided an empirical method to develop this framework. A mixed-method quality improvement process was undertaken. ... The student roles were detailed per nine cognitive components: knowledge, skills, abilities, tactics, decision-making, situation awareness, heuristics, interpersonal skills, and intrapersonal skills. Ninety-one elements that could influence performance were identified by this dissection. A student-centred approach to course design provided an empirically sound and practical method to determine important aspects: the student experience and role demands, effective instructional aids and teaching practices, and assessment to support role competence.

DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2020.1818697 Show less

An electric heat-in-transit tanker (bitumen trailer) revolutionized the operation and design of bituminous tankers. It was developed using human-centered approaches and design philosophy, concepts, methods, and tools previously used in the mining industry. Task-based analysis was useful to contextualize opportunities and hazards. The new tanker improved efficiency in transit, reduced risk for exposure to hot bituminous product, improved access, reduced on-road travel time and risk for fatigue… Show more

An electric heat-in-transit tanker (bitumen trailer) revolutionized the operation and design of bituminous tankers. It was developed using human-centered approaches and design philosophy, concepts, methods, and tools previously used in the mining industry. Task-based analysis was useful to contextualize opportunities and hazards. The new tanker improved efficiency in transit, reduced risk for exposure to hot bituminous product, improved access, reduced on-road travel time and risk for fatigue, optimized work performance, and challenged regulators to redefine safe transit requirements. The design process was opportunity based and highlighted the need to shift philosophy to consider performance-based needs of operators, not just equipment. Show less

Evidence supporting the benefits of participatory ergonomics is compelling. Ergonomics may improve productivity, mitigate high‐risk activity, promote social connectedness, and inspire innovation. Program and process evaluation is required to support the sustainability of the practice. This case study describes the selection of a critical control to improve the manual task of sweeping recycled asphalt product (RAP) at a production plant. A multi‐criteria decision making model was applied… Show more

Evidence supporting the benefits of participatory ergonomics is compelling. Ergonomics may improve productivity, mitigate high‐risk activity, promote social connectedness, and inspire innovation. Program and process evaluation is required to support the sustainability of the practice. This case study describes the selection of a critical control to improve the manual task of sweeping recycled asphalt product (RAP) at a production plant. A multi‐criteria decision making model was applied retrospectively to consider the decisions that were made in terms of selecting the control. The case study was reviewed according to an Occupational Perspective of Health.
Managers were asked for their input regarding the importance of the ergonomics process, the people involved, and the outcomes achieved. The findings revealed that decision‐making models may support a participative design process and, in this case, address many elements important to good work design. The elements that were perceived to be important to the design process included worker involvement, ergonomist skill set, and task selection. Show less

Investigations were undertaken at a North Queensland mining organisation with a high level of maturity associated with good work design and participatory ergonomics practices. Lead and lag indicator reports and industry award reports were reviewed. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with management, program coordinators and workers during a site visit. A formative process was undertaken during the investigation to determine achievements and areas for improvement, with… Show more

Investigations were undertaken at a North Queensland mining organisation with a high level of maturity associated with good work design and participatory ergonomics practices. Lead and lag indicator reports and industry award reports were reviewed. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were conducted with management, program coordinators and workers during a site visit. A formative process was undertaken during the investigation to determine achievements and areas for improvement, with retrospective review and consensus achieved from organisation representatives at various levels of management. Two case studies were highlighted in this paper to illustrate their good work design initiatives, one describing hand injury reduction rates and the other addressing biomechanical risk reduction for low back injury. Show less

ISBN 9781466598430

A paper based upon the topic of presentation at the APA 2015 annual conference in the Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) involves mapping out interrelated functions to gain an understanding of how to monitor and optimize system performance. A FRAM model was applied to study the application of predictive, human-centered design review of an asphalt job truck for road construction. The model provided for a constructive means to communicate, reflect upon, and strategize methods to support ongoing human-centered design practice in the business. Practical… Show more

The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) involves mapping out interrelated functions to gain an understanding of how to monitor and optimize system performance. A FRAM model was applied to study the application of predictive, human-centered design review of an asphalt job truck for road construction. The model provided for a constructive means to communicate, reflect upon, and strategize methods to support ongoing human-centered design practice in the business. Practical recommendations were made with regard to resource allocation and management activity. This paper will describe the development of the model, the application, and the findings. Show less

Road construction comprises high-risk work activity including risks for collision, musculoskeletal disorder, and slips, trips and falls. A participatory ergonomics project was hosted after compelling field observations were made. A manual task involving roll-out of multi-laminate tape was redesigned with the fabrication of a customized trolley. A human-centered design process was engaged (The Design for Operability and Maintainability Technique) and the project outcomes were reviewed according… Show more

Road construction comprises high-risk work activity including risks for collision, musculoskeletal disorder, and slips, trips and falls. A participatory ergonomics project was hosted after compelling field observations were made. A manual task involving roll-out of multi-laminate tape was redesigned with the fabrication of a customized trolley. A human-centered design process was engaged (The Design for Operability and Maintainability Technique) and the project outcomes were reviewed according to an Occupational Perspective of Health, a spectrum of safety through to productivity (or “doing – being – becoming – belonging”). Critical success factors of the project are described, also, to inform activity that may sustain a participatory ergonomics and human-centered design practice. Show less

Productivity, fatality, injury and health risks are associated with the operation and maintenance of mobile plant in road construction. Unwanted events include: slips, trips and falls from ground or at height; exposure to hazardous manual tasks, pinch points, heat, noxious chemicals and whole body vibration; low levels of distributed situation awareness; fatigue; vehicle roll overs; and collisions. It may be possible to remove or reduce the risk of these events through improved design of the… Show more

Productivity, fatality, injury and health risks are associated with the operation and maintenance of mobile plant in road construction. Unwanted events include: slips, trips and falls from ground or at height; exposure to hazardous manual tasks, pinch points, heat, noxious chemicals and whole body vibration; low levels of distributed situation awareness; fatigue; vehicle roll overs; and collisions. It may be possible to remove or reduce the risk of these events through improved design of the equipment.

The Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMERST) -Design Evaluation for Earth Moving Equipment Procurement (EDEEP) method was adapted for road construction equipment. Six field visits were undertaken to review an asphalt job truck. A task-based risk assessment process identified 15 design issues contributing to hazards associated with the equipment. Many of these issues had not previously been captured during routine reporting processes. Design parameters were established to inform procurement regarding preferred specifications for future job truck purchases. Show less

Accepted for publication in proceedings 1 September 2015

Accepted for publication 11 August 2015, for October 2015 edition

Accepted for publication 5 June 2015. Congress scheduled: 9 - 14 August, Melbourne, Australia

Accepted for publication 5 June 2015. Congress scheduled: 9 - 14 August, Melbourne, Australia