In Italy, the Legislative Decree no. 81/2008 regulates risk prevention associated with workplaces and makes specific reference to human factors principles application to prevent workers’ ailments, fatigue and work-related stress. To what extent has this normative framework become an integral part of the Italian companies’ culture and fostered a demand for ergonomic intervention and research? The study, carried out in a North-western Italian Region, aimed to explore how local companies perceive the potential of human factors to achieve an efficient and productive organisational system and to maximise the workers’ comfort, safety and health. The case-study research method was chosen as it allows to investigate phenomena in-depth within a real-life context (Yin, 2009). The results show a widespread intervention on physical aspects, but also highlight an increasing attention to the cognitive and organisational factors, offering some experiences of improved production and competitiveness due to ergonomic principles application within the workplace.

How companies perceive the potential of Human Factors: a case study from Italy

CALLARI, TIZIANA CARMEN;RE, Alessandra
2010-01-01

Abstract

In Italy, the Legislative Decree no. 81/2008 regulates risk prevention associated with workplaces and makes specific reference to human factors principles application to prevent workers’ ailments, fatigue and work-related stress. To what extent has this normative framework become an integral part of the Italian companies’ culture and fostered a demand for ergonomic intervention and research? The study, carried out in a North-western Italian Region, aimed to explore how local companies perceive the potential of human factors to achieve an efficient and productive organisational system and to maximise the workers’ comfort, safety and health. The case-study research method was chosen as it allows to investigate phenomena in-depth within a real-life context (Yin, 2009). The results show a widespread intervention on physical aspects, but also highlight an increasing attention to the cognitive and organisational factors, offering some experiences of improved production and competitiveness due to ergonomic principles application within the workplace.
2010
Irish Ergonomics Review 2010
Limerick
27/05/2010
Proceedings of the Irish Ergonomics Society Annual COnference 2010
University of Limerick
70
77
9780016492105
Manufacturing; HF/E
Tiziana C. Callari; Alessandra Re
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/79526
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact