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the things people do...

Even when provided with the best stuff in the best places, people suffer error, injury and frustration if the way they behave is not accounted for. In simple terms, if our designs and provisions do not really consider how people do things the solutions will fail.

People will inevitably use a screwdriver to prise open a tin of paint. It doesn’t matter how many times they are told it is only to be used for putting in or removing screws. If there is a short cut, someone will find it. If there is a way round it, someone will go there. People will be people!

Human variability - from the cradle to the grave - is so significant that if we are to account for the people factor we must accurately understand human behaviour – this is the role of ergonomics.

It is possible to optimise solutions by considering how people behave and, if necessary, providing user-friendly information and training.

the places people go...

We expect and demand different things from the places we occupy, based on the activities we perform in them. Our requirements are for varying degrees of comfort, safety, convenience, efficiency and fun!

The lines of distinction between workplaces and the home and leisure environments have become blurred. Many employees are expected to work from home, vehicles, hotels – in fact just about anywhere away from the workplace itself. Conversely, workplaces are required, in many cases, to serve as ‘home-from-homes’, creating fun and friendly environments.

Even in the more traditional work environments, there is a host of regulations to be met to ensure safety and well being of those using them.

the stuff people use...

The things we use should comply with various standards and regulations, applicable to toys, furniture, work equipment, products for the home, vehicles and so on. Unfortunately many do not.

Probably of even greater concern is that some of those that do comply are simply not good enough as the context of their use has not been considered. For example, it is possible to buy adjustable chairs which cannot be adjusted to fit because the range of adjustment is insufficient, or the person simply does not know how to make the adjustments or even why to make the adjustments and to know when they are right!

Two key aspects are important; the design process should incorporate an understanding of the users – ergonomics! Second, the call to provide inclusive design solutions should be paramount for both the consumer and the supplier.

Whether evaluating existing stuff or providing input to the design process to ensure new designs account for user needs and capabilities, David Hitchcock can help.

the services David Hitchcock provides...

David Hitchcock offers a comprehensive range of ergonomics, design and safety services – as an ‘independent’ associate or part of an organisation’s team. He can cover three broad areas of timeframe:

Design: before products, places or systems are established.
Implementation: as new or modified solutions become live.
Existing: where management, assessment improvement or problem solving is required.

	DESIGN – SPECIFICATION Working independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the human factors issues of the standards, regulations and literature are integrated into the design.
	DESIGN – SELECTION Ensuring that concepts and designs are fit for purpose, trialled according to ISO requirements and will be accepted by the intended users.
	DESIGN - VALIDATION & COMPLIANCE Many solutions which are promoted as ergonomic are far from it. David Hitchcock will ensure that your solutions are using the unique FFP Score appraisal technique.
	DESIGN - RAISING AWARENESS To gain maximum benefit, the human factors aspects must go beyond physical provision. David Hitchcock can be used to facilitate this within the team and to the client.
	IMPLEMENTATION - TRAINING A really great workplace demands training for users, management, buyers, support and so on. David Hitchcock will provide bespoke, high quality, effective (and enjoyable!) training.
	IMPLEMENTATION - INFORMATION The law requires information provision which is pertinent and user-friendly. David Hitchcock will provide tailored details to optimise workplaces, workstations and activities.
	IMPLEMENTATION - SYSTEMS & MONITORING To keep new workplace solutions both compliant and working to their best necessitates easy-to-use systems of management and monitoring which David Hitchcock can devise.
	EXISTING - ASSESSMENT & AUDIT Both ergonomics and health & safety risk assessments and audits will facilitate client compliance and create opportunities for improvement and upgrading.
	EXISTING - TROUBLESHOOTING From time-to-time, things do go wrong, people become concerned or injured. Ergonomics is very often the way to resolving both the workplace and organisational issues.
	EXISTING - OPTIMISING PERFORMANCE Even if the workplace or design is just about perfect, there is always opportunity for David Hitchcock to work with clients to improve their work activities and systems.

For further information please click here to contact David Hitchcock directly.

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