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The ergonomics group at the University of Surrey was established in 1978 and has long been recognised as an international centre of excellence for research, teaching and application. Ergonomics is the science of designing systems to match human capabilities with the aim of optimising productivity while preserving health and reducing accidents and errors. Ergonomics is multi disciplinary, often drawing on psychological, engineering, biological and other scientific methods to address the problems that occur in work systems. Researchers at the Robens Centre for Public Health come from a wide range of academic backgrounds and collaborate with colleagues from many different disciplines. We provide training for people wanting to become professional ergonomists and those wanting to learn more about ergonomics approaches. We conduct research into many problems that arise from poorly designed work systems. Currently, these include musculoskeletal disorders, workplace stress, organisational change, patient safety, medication error, the usability of equipment and design solutions to safety problems. The Centre has twice received the President’s medal from the Ergonomics Society for excellence in ergonomics research and practice and individual staff members have frequently been recognised through professional and research awards. |
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Surrey Shine at Cambridge Patient Safety Conference |
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The Improving Patient Safety 2008 Confrence was held at Cambridge University from the 16th to 18th July. Professor Peter Buckle delivered the conference's opening address that highlighted Surrey's innovative approaches to mapping healthcare systems and determining risks to patient safety. A further four Surrey papers covered topics relating to the very high prevalence of medication errors in care homes, novel ways of analysing errors, equipment design and the principles of NHS procurement that might enhance patient safety.
Pauline Cole, an MSc Health Ergonomics student at Surrey, was awarded the conference prize for the best student paper. This explored current practice in procurement in NHS Trusts and found that there were many problems associated with communicating clear policies, leading to a critical lack of clarity and guidance. The resultant adverse impact on staff and patient safety could be addressed through improved procedures that embraced ergonomics criteria as part of the equipment purchasing process, as well as the need to consult staff with appropriate expertise See: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/surreylife/news/showstory.php?format=3&month=7&year=2008&id=40 |
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Healthcare Systems Ergonomics and Patient Safety 2008 |
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The Robens Centre for Public Health was well represented at the recent HEPS 2008 meeting in Strasbourg, France. Two papers from the University of Surrey were presented at this International meeting that attracted over 400 scientists. The paper were Anderson J, Buckle P and Lim R 'Cognitive work analysis: a systems approach to patient safety and Anderson J, Colligan L, Buckle P, Ward J and Clarkson J 'Proactive risk assessmentin healthcare: how do experts select the best methods?'. Peter Buckle was also presented with an International Ergonomics Association award at this meeting by the President of the IEA, David Caple from Australia. |
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Most cited ergonomics paper |
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The nature of work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders, P.W. Buckle, J. Jason Devereux,, Volume 33 (2002), Issue 3, Pages 207-217 is one of the most cited articles from the journal Applied Ergonomics over a three year period. |
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Ergonomics Society Conference |
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Four members of the ergonomics group presented papers at the annual Ergonomics Society research conference at Nottingham University in April. Topics included the ageing workforce, the ergonomics of telecare, human factors and police body armour and participatory ergonomics programmes reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. |
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27th May Repetitive strain injuries |
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Research into the causes and treatment of repetitive strain injury is urgently needed for the millions of sufferers worldwide, say experts. Peter Buckle is interviewed on the subject by the BBC. see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6692683.stm |
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