PUP116 Human Factors and Ergonomics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PUP116 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | PUZ116 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,236 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PUP116 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PUZ116 |
| Coordinator: | Nektarios Karanikas | nektarios.karanikas@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Human Factors and Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the fundamental understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system and the application of appropriate theory and methods to improve human performance and well-being with benefits for the overall work system. Ergonomics promotes a holistic, systems approach by considering cognitive, physical and broader factors (e.g., social, organisational and environmental). Knowledge of current methods and techniques commonly used in ergonomics is essential for the occupational health and safety professional to contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, work systems, product/service systems and environments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically review and synthesise research and studies to account for and debate causes and effects of various HFE issues
- Identify and analyse components, tasks and factors relevant to the assessment and design of human-centred work systems that promote inclusiveness and cultural safety
- Recommend/apply suitable and context-relevant tools and techniques to assess cognitive and physical HFE areas
- Critically evaluate/recommend context-relevant and sustainable solutions to HFE issues
- Critically appraise the role of various human factors/ergonomics (HFE) in health, safety, wellbeing and human performance in general and/or specific contexts
Content
Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) has much to offer by addressing major individual, team and organisational challenges regarding work and product/service systems. The OHS professional is expected to drive HFE improvements in the workplace, including knowledge of when and how to engage a Certified Professional Ergonomist.
During this Unit, students will understand the HFE systems approach and gain knowledge of major topics, including human information processing and decision-making, situational awareness, team methods and communication, mental and physical fatigue, task analysis and human error, design of work systems, hazardous manual tasks, musculoskeletal disorders, training and learning, and participatory ergonomic interventions.
Learning Approaches
This Unit uses a problem-solving approach and promotes an analytical mindset. To maximise engagement with the learning materials, this Unit combines fortnightly teaching (face-to-face, live-streamed and recorded) and online tutorials (recorded), real-time use of example tools, and one full-day weekend online workshop. Group work as a social learning experience will be required to support building team skills for the workplace.
Students are expected to undertake self-directed learning and should pace their studies in line with the schedule provided on the online platform. Each week's session has links to a range of readings/resources that expand on the material in the study module and are in addition to the resources listed below.
Active participation and discussion in the taught sessions is strongly encouraged to allow for the exchange of ideas between staff and students and to expand upon the theory and knowledge undertaken within the study modules.
The unit hosts guest lecturers from the industry and features an optional field visit during which students are informed about and observe principles of work design to accommodate diverse workforce groups.
Students have access to various resources, including the Student Success Group and Library. Class and individual consultations with the unit coordinator and formative and summative feedback during the course and on the assessments are offered to support learning. Additional career development and employability opportunities are regularly shared with the class.
The unit embeds opportunities to demonstrate and improve industry relevant digital capabilities, including locating relevant literature and navigating data bases; sourcing, collating and critically analysing scholarly research related to OHS; communicating with peers, colleagues, community members and senior managers through digital platforms; negotiating with internal systems to access, upload and download materials, etc.
This Unit is available in both online and internal modes and all taught sessions are recorded for asynchronous access.
Students will need to allocate on average 10 hours per week to successfully meet the learning outcomes in this Unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During the Unit, students will receive feedback on their learning through the group assignment.
Assessment
Overview
Each assessment item is designed to measure students' ability to apply the knowledge and skills stated in the unit learning outcomes.
Each assessment type in this Unit will be subject to internal/external moderation, such as cross-unit discussions and regular meetings of assessors, to ensure that marks awarded by different teaching staff are internally consistent and meet appropriate academic standards.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be required to develop a solution/approach to an ergonomic problem/challenge in a group work set-up. You will analyse the problem/challenge, describe your approach to evaluating the problem/situation, design a solution and/or recommendations and eventually report out on your work. You will be expected to write and submit a report before the full-day online workshop, and account for and debate the outcomes of your task to your peers during a presentation at the workshop
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Exams or work-based report
Students can opt for one of the following alternate assessments:
1. Completion of an exam to demonstrate your understanding and apply your knowledge in human factors/ergonomics based on a real-world scenario. This assessment replicates instances where OHS professionals are asked to express initial opinions and demonstrate their knowledge and its application under time and resource constraints (e.g., organisational meetings, professional/expert panels). The exam option is available to all students.
2. Work-based report available only to students who can secure a placement or already work in an OHS role with tasks relevant to the unit and sufficient potential to demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes. In addition to the application of knowledge, the report will include a critical appraisal and reflection (e.g., justification and limitations of tools used and results obtained). This assessment is an academically unsupervised activity and can be only undertaken after approval from the unit coordinator. Securing a work placement is the responsibility of students.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
The work-based report option in the second assessment is available only to students who currently work in an OHS role and have adequate OHS experience or can secure a work placement. Current OHS duties and work placement activities must be relevant to the unit content and learning outcomes. The specific assessment is available only upon approval by the unit coordinator.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Bridger, R. (2017) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics (4th ed.), London: Taylor and Francis.
Other
Supplementary material will be provided on the Learning Management System and during the taught sessions for the topics to be covered per week.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. Students should ensure that they take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work. Student should adopt principles of good work station set up to assure good posture.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU65 Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
- Apply advanced theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to current and emerging issues and opportunities in occupational health and safety promotion and management.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Apply critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and technical skills and incorporate diverse perspectives to evaluate and generate sustainable solutions to complex problems in occupational health and safety.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Interpret and tailor written and oral communication styles and strategies to inform diverse audiences about complex knowledge and ideas in occupational health and safety.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Work independently or within teams with integrity, ethicality, objectivity and impartiality to plan, manage and complete projects and disseminate knowledge within a culturally safe and socially inclusive environment.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report
PU80 Master of Health, Safety and Environment
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and emerging challenges within the fields of occupational and environmental health/management
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Demonstrate advanced skills and abilities to describe, appraise and apply the major tools and systems of OHS and EH practice and research to identify and manage complex problems
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Integrate and synthesise complex knowledge and apply critical and reflective thinking to advance the discipline’s body of research.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Work independently and in teams to interpret and communicate complex scientific, legal and psychosocial data and present it in a format that is easy to understand
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Enact and apply ethical, culturally safe, socially inclusive principles with self, people, and organisations in diverse contexts.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | PUP116 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | PUZ116 |
Overview
Human Factors and Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the fundamental understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system and the application of appropriate theory and methods to improve human performance and well-being with benefits for the overall work system. Ergonomics promotes a holistic, systems approach by considering cognitive, physical and broader factors (e.g., social, organisational and environmental). Knowledge of current methods and techniques commonly used in ergonomics is essential for the occupational health and safety professional to contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, work systems, product/service systems and environments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically review and synthesise research and studies to account for and debate causes and effects of various HFE issues
- Identify and analyse components, tasks and factors relevant to the assessment and design of human-centred work systems that promote inclusiveness and cultural safety
- Recommend/apply suitable and context-relevant tools and techniques to assess cognitive and physical HFE areas
- Critically evaluate/recommend context-relevant and sustainable solutions to HFE issues
- Critically appraise the role of various human factors/ergonomics (HFE) in health, safety, wellbeing and human performance in general and/or specific contexts
Content
Human Factors/Ergonomics (HFE) has much to offer by addressing major individual, team and organisational challenges regarding work and product/service systems. The OHS professional is expected to drive HFE improvements in the workplace, including knowledge of when and how to engage a Certified Professional Ergonomist.
During this Unit, students will understand the HFE systems approach and gain knowledge of major topics, including human information processing and decision-making, situational awareness, team methods and communication, mental and physical fatigue, task analysis and human error, design of work systems, hazardous manual tasks, musculoskeletal disorders, training and learning, and participatory ergonomic interventions.
Learning Approaches
This Unit uses a problem-solving approach and promotes an analytical mindset. To maximise engagement with the learning materials, this Unit combines fortnightly teaching (face-to-face, live-streamed and recorded) and online tutorials (recorded), real-time use of example tools, and one full-day weekend online workshop. Group work as a social learning experience will be required to support building team skills for the workplace.
Students are expected to undertake self-directed learning and should pace their studies in line with the schedule provided on the online platform. Each week's session has links to a range of readings/resources that expand on the material in the study module and are in addition to the resources listed below.
Active participation and discussion in the taught sessions is strongly encouraged to allow for the exchange of ideas between staff and students and to expand upon the theory and knowledge undertaken within the study modules.
The unit hosts guest lecturers from the industry and features an optional field visit during which students are informed about and observe principles of work design to accommodate diverse workforce groups.
Students have access to various resources, including the Student Success Group and Library. Class and individual consultations with the unit coordinator and formative and summative feedback during the course and on the assessments are offered to support learning. Additional career development and employability opportunities are regularly shared with the class.
The unit embeds opportunities to demonstrate and improve industry relevant digital capabilities, including locating relevant literature and navigating data bases; sourcing, collating and critically analysing scholarly research related to OHS; communicating with peers, colleagues, community members and senior managers through digital platforms; negotiating with internal systems to access, upload and download materials, etc.
This Unit is available in both online and internal modes and all taught sessions are recorded for asynchronous access.
Students will need to allocate on average 10 hours per week to successfully meet the learning outcomes in this Unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During the Unit, students will receive feedback on their learning through the group assignment.
Assessment
Overview
Each assessment item is designed to measure students' ability to apply the knowledge and skills stated in the unit learning outcomes.
Each assessment type in this Unit will be subject to internal/external moderation, such as cross-unit discussions and regular meetings of assessors, to ensure that marks awarded by different teaching staff are internally consistent and meet appropriate academic standards.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be required to develop a solution/approach to an ergonomic problem/challenge in a group work set-up. You will analyse the problem/challenge, describe your approach to evaluating the problem/situation, design a solution and/or recommendations and eventually report out on your work. You will be expected to write and submit a report before the full-day online workshop, and account for and debate the outcomes of your task to your peers during a presentation at the workshop
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Exams or work-based report
Students can opt for one of the following alternate assessments:
1. Completion of an exam to demonstrate your understanding and apply your knowledge in human factors/ergonomics based on a real-world scenario. This assessment replicates instances where OHS professionals are asked to express initial opinions and demonstrate their knowledge and its application under time and resource constraints (e.g., organisational meetings, professional/expert panels). The exam option is available to all students.
2. Work-based report available only to students who can secure a placement or already work in an OHS role with tasks relevant to the unit and sufficient potential to demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes. In addition to the application of knowledge, the report will include a critical appraisal and reflection (e.g., justification and limitations of tools used and results obtained). This assessment is an academically unsupervised activity and can be only undertaken after approval from the unit coordinator. Securing a work placement is the responsibility of students.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
The work-based report option in the second assessment is available only to students who currently work in an OHS role and have adequate OHS experience or can secure a work placement. Current OHS duties and work placement activities must be relevant to the unit content and learning outcomes. The specific assessment is available only upon approval by the unit coordinator.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Bridger, R. (2017) Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics (4th ed.), London: Taylor and Francis.
Other
Supplementary material will be provided on the Learning Management System and during the taught sessions for the topics to be covered per week.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. Students should ensure that they take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work. Student should adopt principles of good work station set up to assure good posture.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PU65 Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
- Apply advanced theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to current and emerging issues and opportunities in occupational health and safety promotion and management.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Apply critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and technical skills and incorporate diverse perspectives to evaluate and generate sustainable solutions to complex problems in occupational health and safety.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Interpret and tailor written and oral communication styles and strategies to inform diverse audiences about complex knowledge and ideas in occupational health and safety.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Work independently or within teams with integrity, ethicality, objectivity and impartiality to plan, manage and complete projects and disseminate knowledge within a culturally safe and socially inclusive environment.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report
PU80 Master of Health, Safety and Environment
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of an advanced body of theoretical and practical knowledge and emerging challenges within the fields of occupational and environmental health/management
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Demonstrate advanced skills and abilities to describe, appraise and apply the major tools and systems of OHS and EH practice and research to identify and manage complex problems
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Integrate and synthesise complex knowledge and apply critical and reflective thinking to advance the discipline’s body of research.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Work independently and in teams to interpret and communicate complex scientific, legal and psychosocial data and present it in a format that is easy to understand
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Exams or work-based report - Enact and apply ethical, culturally safe, socially inclusive principles with self, people, and organisations in diverse contexts.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task