Why do we talk about ‘holistic ergonomics’? In the world of safety, the predominant language is about the control of ‘hazards’ (objects). We see this even in psychosocial discourse where the focus should be on persons, social meaning, ethics and an understanding of power, but it is not. In SPoR … [Read more...] about Holistic Ergonomics, From Objects to Subjects – Edinburgh 4-6 February 2026
holistic ergonomics
Holistic Ergonomics and Affordances
There’s nothing in our world that doesn’t have an ‘affordance’. An affordance is the ‘energy’ or ‘force’ of what a design asks you to do by its design. Affordances are also learned and embodied from an early age as heuristics. So, as little children we learn how to hold a cup and drink, how to … [Read more...] about Holistic Ergonomics and Affordances
Mindfulness is NOT Brain-fullness and other Psychosocial Myths
The exchange of the word ‘mind’ for ‘brain’ perpetuates a host of myths that are dangerous and harmful (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5353526/) for psychosocial health. The human Mind is NOT the brain but should be understood to mean ‘whole person’. This is why defining personhood … [Read more...] about Mindfulness is NOT Brain-fullness and other Psychosocial Myths
Posture Myths and Holistic Ergonomics
Myths are easily maintained when accompanied by symbols. The merging of symbol and myth creates a new truth, symbolic truth. Such truth is not real or true, but is made symbolically true. We see this all the time in the safety industry with simple constructs like the Swiss Cheese (Reason) or domino … [Read more...] about Posture Myths and Holistic Ergonomics
The Soul of Mental Health
The idea of a ‘soul’ or life force (psyche) evolved out of the writings of Aristotle and the Pauline anthropology and is a word commonly used to refer to the hidden spirit of something. We often refer to the ‘soul’ of politics, law or the ‘soul’ of a nation. Sometimes we call a person a kind or … [Read more...] about The Soul of Mental Health
Due Diligence and Holistic Ergonomics Workshops
Perth Workshops 3-7 October 2022 Due Diligence and Holistic Ergonomics The highly successful Due Diligence program will be delivered in Perth on 3-5 October. This program delivered jointly by Greg Smith (author of Paper Safe) and Dr Rob Long is a program that sets the cat among the safety pigeons. … [Read more...] about Due Diligence and Holistic Ergonomics Workshops
Holistic Responses to Mental Health
Holistic Responses to Mental Health One of the most important factors in mental health is social being. In SPoR we call this Socialitie. The idea that mental health is about brain programming or brain health, simple serves to distract organisations from tackling mental health properly. In risk and … [Read more...] about Holistic Responses to Mental Health
Holistic Ergonomics
Orthodox ergonomics has a focus on objects and how humans interact with objects. The classic text for orthodox ergonomics is Fitting the Task to The Human by Kroemer and Grandjean. Orthodox ergonomics is framed by a STEM-only worldview and looks at humans as ‘factors’ in a system and understands … [Read more...] about Holistic Ergonomics
Implications of Fatigue and Distraction Monitoring Systems
Implications of Fatigue and Distraction Monitoring Systems Guest Post by Danny Fay As part of my Unit 6 studies for the Diploma in Social Psychology of Risk, I am undertaking the subject of Holistic Ergonomics. For my assignment in this unit, I have chosen to evaluate the introduction of Fatigue … [Read more...] about Implications of Fatigue and Distraction Monitoring Systems
How a holistic ergonomic approach can develop resilience in Home Care workers
How a holistic ergonomic approach can develop resilience in Home Care workers Unit 6 Holistic Ergonomics Social Psychology of Risk Narelle Stoll August 2018 Traditional approaches in ergonomics tends to a focus on the individual and their response to the physical arrangements of their work … [Read more...] about How a holistic ergonomic approach can develop resilience in Home Care workers