Usability of Human Factors Standards

Adherence to human factors/ergonomics standards is critical to a good design project. No other resource can provide a designer with specifications based on sound science than a good standards book or info-guide. However, designers usually come up with ideas to solve problems and leave the manufacturing and technical specifications to the engineers. Although they may be aware of the basic user needs, designers rarely look at standards to justify their design thinking and validate their design processes. The two studies reported in this paper investigated the awareness of, accessibility, and usability of human factors/ergonomics standards among college students and their professors in design-oriented programs, as well as among practicing designers. The results are drawn from data obtained through an online survey and a focus group study. Although the participants’ awareness of relevant standards was good, the accessibility of the standards was problematic. The Internet is the dominant means of accessing human factors information today, and online accessibility of human factors standards is imperative if they are to be used in design.