Duncan Abbott, a skilled ergonomist, utilises his scientific training to examine workplace issues. Those scientific disciplines include physiology, biomechanics (force and body movement), psychology (memory, attention, and perception), industrial design and sociology. When the interaction between human and machine causes problems, Duncan can reach a solution by drawing on his relevant skills

Ergonomics can make work systems usable, by removing the physical and mental barriers that prevent workers performing to their optimum ability. If you want the best from your workers, then you must ensure that their work environments are user friendly, comfortable and pose no risk to them.

Why choose Duncan Abbott?

His consultancy has gained extensive experience in working with a diverse range of clients - over 1,800 different companies - to resolve their ergonomic issues and to develop customised ergonomic programmes.

Services offered:

	Workplace design and organisation (banks, offices, shops, factories)
	Utilising domain knowledge to formulate guidelines to produce safe, efficient human-machine interactions in all areas where work is performed
	Job and task analysis (video analysis, observation, questionnaires) to determine allocation of function between user and machine
	User trials - to accommodate the physical and mental needs of the user
	Personal risk assessments for those in work or returning to work, to meet DDA requirements

Usability

The consultancy can undertake a wide range of usability testing ranging from user instruction comprehension and warning sign design, to seating trials, workstation layout, cashier kiosk layout and design.

Individual ergonomic programs

If you are serious about ergonomics - and most organisations should be - Duncan can suggest ways that your existing ergonomic programme can be improved. Its approach is to assist managers that have a sole responsibility, to streamline a program whereby each person is responsible for their own ergonomic needs.

Unique services:

	Personal risk assessments for workers that are at risk (disabled, injured)
	Training for risk assessors to assess disabled workers

If costly mistakes are to be avoided an ergonomist should be consulted when any workplace intervention, change of task or environmental change is being considered. In the majority of cases the cost benefits of an ergonomic intervention will far outweigh its cost.

Duncan Abbott, principal ergonomist, produces a free eZine on ergonomic news, research and good practice. He also writes for many of the leading occupational health publications.