Professional Certification in ErgonomicsHuman Factors

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Professional Certification in Ergonomics/Human
Factors

• Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics
• (BCPE)

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Whats in a Name?
to study
ERGO-NOMICS
work
a.k.a. HUMAN FACTORS
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Definitions

• Ergonomics/Human Factors is a body of knowledge
  about human abilities, limitations, and other
  characteristics that are relevant to design.

An Ergonomist/Human Factors Professional applies
this knowledge to the design of tools, machines,
systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe,
comfortable, and effective human use.
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Importance of the Profession

• Health
• Safety
• Comfort
• Ease of learning
• Ease of use
• Productivity
• Loyalty
• Satisfaction

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Ergonomics Curriculum
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Work Analysis Measurement

• Methods of Measurement and Investigation
• Work Analysis Statistics and Experimental Design
• Computation and Information Technology
• Instrumentation
• (100 hours)

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People and Technology

• Technology
• Training and Instruction
• Human Reliability
• Health, Safety, and Well-Being
• Occupational Hygiene
• Workplace, Information, or Work Organization
  Design
• (100 hours)

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Human Characteristics

• Anatomy, Demographics, and Physiology
• Human Psychology
• Physical Environments
• Social and Organization Aspects
• (80 hours)

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Professional Issues

• Ethics, Practice Standards, Marketing, Business
  Practice, Legal Liabilities
• (20 hours)

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Ergonomic Principles

• Ergonomics Approach
• Systems Theory
• (20 hours)

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PlusApplying the Knowledge

• Internship, Practicum, or On-the-Job Training
• (6 weeks)

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Professional Backgrounds

• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Industrial Engineering
• Computer Science
• Industrial Hygiene
• Safety
• Health

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Scope of the Profession
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Day in the Life of an Ergonomist

• Evaluation Using Physical Simulation
• Certified Professional Ergonomist conducting a
  test of a tractor operator station using physical
  simulation (6 degree of freedom motion platform).
  Measures of operator performance in simulated
  operational environments help make decisions
  about controls, displays, seating, and other
  vehicle operator station design elements.

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Day in the Life of an Ergonomist

• Evaluation Using Virtual Prototyping
• Certified Professional Ergonomist and design
  group conducting test of experimental tractor
  operator station in a virtual environment (3D
  stereo projection of computer generated
  operational scene).

Operator visibility, control layout and
functionality, and other operator station design
issues can be evaluated early in the design
concept stagewell before a physical prototype is
built. This technology facilitates exploring
novel user-interface concepts free from
constraints imposed by physical prototypes.
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Day in the Life of an Ergonomist

• Digital Human Modeling
• A digital human model and database of 3-D
  anthropometry is used to visualize an
  individuals preferred posture and space for
  comfortably reaching hand controls.

Anatomical landmarks (e.g., shoulders, elbows,
knees, eyes, etc.) of other individuals are shown
in relation to the selected operators landmarks.
Click on graphic for video
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Day in the Life of an Ergonomist

• Product Usability Testing
• An Associate Ergonomics Professional testing a
  cell phone user in an industrial laboratory.
  Primary metrics include errors and navigation
  path through the software of an electronic travel
  application.

Click on box to play the video
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Day in the Life of an Ergonomist

• Complex Systems Design
• U.S. Navy design of a Multimodal Watchstation
  that interfaces ships systems with human
  operators.

Click on graphic for video
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BCPE Mission

• To provide ergonomics certification to protect
  the public, the profession, and its professionals
  by assuring standards of competency and
  advocating the value of certification.

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Ergonomist Formation Model

• Defines professional competence and requirements
  for certification
• Identifies topics and hours of coursework and
  professional experience
• Distinguishes between Certified Professionals,
  Associate Professionals, and Certified Associates
• See http//www.bcpe.org for details

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Why Get Certified

• Recognition of professional competence
• Authority
• Personal satisfaction
• Better job prospects
• Professional network

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Testimonials/Endorsements

• As a Manager of Human Factors, Im often
  contacted by individuals offering to conduct
  usability evaluations of our products. The first
  thing I ask is whether they are certified by the
  BCPE. If the answer is B-C-what? Ive got my
  answer.
• - Jayne Schurick, Symantec Corporation
• When there are sufficient numbers of C.P.E.s,
  the effects of a few bad apples will be minimized
  and companies seeking Ergonomics assistance will
  have a large pool of competent individuals from
  which to choose.
• - Mark Ousnamer, IIE Solutions

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Certification Process
Education
Experience
Examination
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Number of Certified Ergonomists

• Currently over 1,000
• Examinations offered at least twice each year at
  locations around the country

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BCPE

• Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics
• P.O. Box 2811
• Bellingham, WA 98227-2811
• USA
• Phone [phone]
• FAX [phone]
• E-mail bcpehq_at_bcpe.org
• Web http//www.bcpe.org