New Paradigms in Ergonomics: The Positive Ergonomics

This chapter aims look at ergonomics from a positive point of view. According to International Ergonomics Association, ergonomics is "the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance". The major types of ergonomics. Some of them are physical, cognitive, and positive ergonomics. Positive ergonomics: Positive ergonomics refers to a new type of ergonomics that stresses the positive aspects of the man-machine system. Its major interest is to make "human-machine system" enjoyable where the human feels pleasant. Emotional ergonomics: Similar to positive ergonomics, emotional ergonomics refers to a type of ergonomics that pays attention to the emotional aspects of the man-machine system. Spiritual ergonomics: Spiritual ergonomics is based on the idea that spirit is a key factor which determines the employee's health and success in the man machine system, no matter what he/she is doing in that system. New approach to Occupational health: When considering the legacy of occupational health, we find that two approaches were adopted throughout of its history. These are: professional harmonization and ergonomics approaches.