A generic approach to developing human factors-quality assessment tools exemplified by the warehouse error prevention tool.

This study proposes a generic approach for creating human factors-based assessment tools to enhance operational system quality by reducing errors. The approach was driven by experiences and lessons learned in creating the warehouse error prevention (WEP) tool and other system engineering tools. The generic approach consists of 1) identifying tool objectives, 2) identifying system failure modes, 3) specifying design-related quality risk factors for each failure mode, 4) designing the tool, 5) conducting user evaluations, and 6) validating the tool.

Computer simulation as a macroergonomic approach to assessing nurse workload and biomechanics related to COVID-19 patient care.

This study uses Digital Human Modelling (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to examine how caring for COVID-19-positive (C+) patients affects nurses' workload and care-quality. DHM inputs include: nurse anthropometrics, task postures, and hand forces. DES inputs include: unit-layout, patient care data, COVID-19 status & impact on tasks, and task execution-logic.

Examining human factors and ergonomics aspects in a manufacturing organisation's metrics system: measuring up to stakeholder needs.

This research examines the status of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) metrics in the case context of product realisation in an electronics manufacturing company. Interactions with 100+ stakeholders over a five year period were thematically analysed for metrics-related views and content. A disconnect between engineering metrics and HF/E metrics was evident.

Modelling the impacts of COVID-19 on nurse workload and quality of care using process simulation.

Higher acuity levels in COVID-19 patients and increased infection prevention and control routines have increased the work demands on nurses. To understand and quantify these changes, discrete event simulation (DES) was used to quantify the effects of varying the number of COVID-19 patient assignments on nurse workload and quality of care. Model testing was based on the usual nurse-patient ratio of 1:5 while varying the number of COVID-19 positive patients from 0 to 5.

Developing a simulation tool to quantify biomechanical load and quality of care in nursing.

Nursing is a high musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk job with high workload demands. This study combines Digital Human Modelling (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to address the need for tools to better manage MSD risk. This novel approach quantifies physical-workload, work-performance, and quality-of-care, in response to varying geographical patient-bed assignments, patient-acuity levels, and nurse-patient ratios.

Assessing human factors and ergonomics capability in organisations - the Human Factors Integration Toolset.

This paper presents the development of a tool that allows an organisation to assess its level of human factors (HF) and ergonomics integration and maturity within the organisation. The Human Factors Integration Toolset (available at: https://www.researchgate.

Locomotion through apertures when wider space for locomotion is necessary: adaptation to artificially altered bodily states.

The objective of this study is to describe the adaptability of the central nervous system to safely cross a narrow aperture when the space required for passage is transiently extended with external objects under different locomotor constraints. In one of four locomotion forms (normal walking, walking while holding a 63-cm horizontal bar with or without rotating the shoulders to cross a door opening, and wheelchair use), nine participants were asked to pass through an aperture created by two doors (the relative aperture widths were 1.02, 1.