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HealthcareISCO 2263

Ergonomist

Ergonomists analyse the design of equipment, furniture, and systems in order to improve it toward safer, healthier, and more efficient ones. They strive to improve the interaction of people with equipment and the environment.

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Check yourself in a minute: ergonomist

Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

follow a brief

determine suitability of materials

draft design specifications

conduct research on trends in design

use CAD software

About ergonomist

As an ergonomist, you will play a crucial role in creating safer and more efficient work environments by analyzing how people interact with equipment, furniture, and systems. Your day-to-day responsibilities include conducting workplace assessments, evaluating current designs for potential hazards, and collaborating with design teams to develop improvements that reduce strain and injury risk. You will use specialized software like CAD to create design sketches and specifications, research emerging trends in ergonomic design, and consult with clients to understand their specific needs and constraints. Your work directly impacts employee health, productivity, and organizational costs related to workplace injuries and absenteeism, making ergonomists increasingly valued in Polish companies across manufacturing, office, and industrial sectors.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a ergonomist.

1

Workplace Assessment and Analysis

  • Conduct comprehensive ergonomic audits of work environments to identify potential health risks and inefficiencies
  • Measure and evaluate the interaction between workers and their equipment using specialized assessment tools
  • Document findings and create detailed reports with photographic and video evidence of workplace conditions
2

Design and Specification Development

  • Draft detailed design specifications based on ergonomic principles and human anatomical data
  • Create design sketches and CAD models demonstrating ergonomic solutions for workplace equipment
  • Determine suitability of materials and assess feasibility of proposed design changes
3

Client Consultation and Requirements Gathering

  • Meet with clients to identify their specific needs, constraints, and objectives for ergonomic improvements
  • Follow client briefs and ensure all design recommendations align with organizational requirements
  • Communicate complex ergonomic concepts to non-technical stakeholders in clear, understandable language
4

Research and Trend Analysis

  • Conduct ongoing research on trends in ergonomic design, workplace safety standards, and occupational health
  • Stay current with advances in ergonomic science, new materials, and innovative design solutions
  • Apply mathematical and scientific principles to validate ergonomic improvements through data analysis
5

Collaboration and Project Management

  • Consult with design teams, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure ergonomic standards are integrated into products
  • Provide expert recommendations and resolve design conflicts to optimize both functionality and user safety

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.ergonomicsergonomicsThe science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.follow a brieffollow a briefInterpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.determine suitability of materialsdetermine suitability of materialsWhile designing products, determine if materials are suitable and available for production.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.conduct research on trends in designconduct research on trends in designConduct research on present and future evolutions and trends in design, and associated target market features.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.consult with design teamconsult with design teamDiscuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.assess ergonomics of the workplaceassess ergonomics of the workplaceAssess ergonomics of the workplace in relation to the human resources, analysing how people interact with machinery, equipment, and work spaces.draw design sketchesdraw design sketchesCreate rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...occupational healthoccupational healthThe subfield of study of public health that focus on improving the wellbeing of individuals in the workplace for all the occupational profiles. It is concerned with health and safety in the workplace ...
Optional (17) — show
engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.aestheticsaestheticsSet of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.3D modelling3D modellingThe process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimension...industrial designindustrial designThe practice of designing products to be manufactured through techniques of mass production.apply 3D imaging techniquesapply 3D imaging techniquesImplement a variety of techniques such as digital sculpting, curve modelling and 3D scanning to create, edit, preserve and use 3D images, such as point clouds, 3D vector graphic and 3D surface shapes.create a product's virtual modelcreate a product's virtual modelCreate a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.gather feedback from employeesgather feedback from employeesCommunicate in an open and positive manner in order to assess levels of satisfaction with employees, their outlook on the work environment, and in order to identify problems and devise solutions.adapt to new design materialsadapt to new design materialsWithout neglecting more traditional techniques and materials, monitor materials innovation such as new resin, plastic, paints, metals, etc. Develop ability to use them and include them in design proje...build a product's physical modelbuild a product's physical modelBuild a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.adapt existing designs to changed circumstancesadapt existing designs to changed circumstancesAdapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.teach ergonomics in work placeteach ergonomics in work placeTeach employees how to use their bodies properly in relation to machinery and equipment without harming themselves.write manualswrite manualsWrite down instructions about how to properly and safely use equipment, machinery, and systems.prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.occupational physiologyoccupational physiologyThe complex physiology of specific jobs and its relation to disorders and medical conditions and the way to optimize health, work ability, and productivity.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

industrial designer9 shared essential skillsdrafter4 shared essential skills3D printing technician3 shared essential skillsadvertising copywriter3 shared essential skillsapplication engineer3 shared essential skillsarchitectural drafter3 shared essential skillsautomotive designer3 shared essential skillsfurniture designer3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does an ergonomist do?

Ergonomists analyse the design of equipment, furniture, and systems in order to improve it toward safer, healthier, and more efficient ones. They strive to improve the interaction of people with equipment and the environment.

What skills does an ergonomist need?

An ergonomist needs 15 essential skills, including mathematics, design principles, copyright legislation, ergonomics, follow a brief.

Will AI replace ergonomist jobs?

The AI disruption score for ergonomist is 62/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write manuals, copyright legislation, draft design specifications. Most resilient: human anatomy, consult with design team, follow a brief.

AI Replacement Risk

62/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorHealthcare
ISCO GroupHealth professionals
Essential Skills15

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