Ergonomisti

Ergonomisti are professionals who study and apply ergonomics, the science of designing workplaces, products and systems to fit the people who use them. The aim is to improve safety, comfort, and performance by aligning physical, cognitive, and organizational factors with human capabilities. The field spans manufacturing, office work, healthcare, transportation, consumer electronics, and digital interfaces, and often overlaps with human factors engineering, occupational safety, and product design.

In practice, ergonomisti analyze tasks, assess risks related to repetitive motion, awkward postures, or fatigue, and recommend equipment, layouts, and interface designs. They work on workstation design, tool selection, seating, lighting, and control placement, as well as the design of software interfaces and work processes. Methods draw on physical ergonomics (anthropometry, biomechanics), cognitive ergonomics (attention, memory, decision making), and organizational ergonomics (teamwork, shift planning).

Education and professional pathways vary by country, but many ergonomisti hold degrees in ergonomics, human factors, engineering, psychology, or occupational health, and may pursue certification or licensure where available. Standards and guidelines—such as ISO 6385 and ISO 26800—support systematic ergonomic design. The concept of ergonomics dates back to the 19th century, with the term credited to Wojciech Jastrzębowski, and the field continues to emphasize human-centered design and accessibility across industries.