What is this award for?
The best application by ergonomists or designers, of ergonomics and human factors to a project, product or design. The categories are:
- A product that has been designed using ergonomics principles.
- An industrial or commercial application of ergonomics.
- Application of ergonomics in the built environment.
- An inclusive design project.
How is the application assessed?
Your project report will be used to assess your application initially, before a final six applications go forward to the judging panel in December. You will be notified in February whether or not your application has been selected to go forward to the final. In January the judging panel will need to see your product so a sample should be sent to the IEHF office. If your product is unsuitable for this, then a video presentation can be shown to the judges.
What do you get if you win the award?
You will get a certificate, gain publicity for the project at the IEHF’s Ergonomics & Human Factors Conference, and have Associate Membership of the Institute for one year.
When is the closing date?
30th November
How do I apply?
- Complete the application form.
- Include a five page report on your project.
- Email it all to the IEHF office at iehf@ergonomics.org.uk.
This award is sponsored by CCD Design & Ergonomics.
Roll of honour
2013 Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University. This award has been given for the UK’s first national police livery. Liveries were developed by ergonomists to meet strict criteria set by the Home Office for police motorway vehicles and police motorcycles. The conspicuous yellow and blue block ‘Battenburg’ design, now widely employed on the road network, is recognisable from a distance and not only enhances officer and public safety where conspicuousness of police vehicles is a factor, its high visibility assists in reassuring the public and deterring criminals.
In developing the liveries, the Loughborough team paid attention to key human factors principles to ensure that the final design was acceptable to the majority of users. Previous research relating to visual perception identified factors relevant to distinguishing objects against their backgrounds. A range of ergonomics methodologies including laboratory, field and road trials were used to assess livery performance and data was gathered on practical considerations of cost, durability and repair.
The liveries are now the subject of official, published Home Office guidance which states the impact of the Battenburg livery as being “…very successful in enhancing safety, in building an image that is reassuring to the public and has a deterrent effect on those who seek to break the law on our roads”. Other emergency services in the UK are adopting the Battenburg livery format, though the colours might differ and the same design is also being used by emergency services across the globe including the USA, New Zealand, Sweden and Hong Kong.
See other shortlisted entries for the 2013 award.
2012 Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) for the V.A.C.® (Vacuum Assisted Closure) Therapy. It is a lightweight portable wound care device, the V.A.C. (Vacuum Assisted Closure) Via™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System which enables patients with moderate to low severity wounds to receive care in their own home or even at work. Human factors engineers at KCI were part of the team that contributed to the hand-shaped design, button size and user interface which makes the device easy and comfortable to use. These elements were developed following consultation with clinicians and patients. Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) is a global medical technology company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. For healthcare providers like the National Health Service, the V.A.C. Via System consists of a small, recyclable therapy unit plus disposable tubing and dressings which can be kept on the shelf until needed, potentially enabling earlier patient discharge and reducing length of hospital stays. The development of the V.A.C.Via™ System represents a truly patient-centred approach to care and is an example of an acute therapy that can now be delivered in the home, as outlined in the Department of Health white paper “Equity to Excellence: Liberating the NHS”.
2011 Bombardier Transportation, Derby for ‘S’ rolling stock for the London tube network. The award was given to the Human Factors Team at Bombardier Transportation in Derby who advised on cab layout, alarm design, HCI design as well as the design of the saloon layout and passenger information provision. The first trains entered service on 31 August 2010 and the 8 car ‘S’ Stock is currently in use on the Metropolitan Line, with a slightly modified 7 car train to be introduced on the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines next year. Not only are passengers benefitting from air conditioned saloons with wide open gangways, provision for wheelchair users and multi-purpose areas, the needs of drivers are met by in-cab monitors, a sit/stand workstation and provision of an adjustable seat and footrest. The Bombardier Human Factors team adopted a systems approach in developing the ‘S’ Stock. This ranged from the design of alarm systems and cab layout for the driver to the height of passenger door windows, position of customer information displays and passenger alarms. The final product reflects a great deal of stakeholder consultation on how to best meet these needs.
2010 3M, Ergonomidesign, Research groups at Linköping University and Royal Institute of Technology for Speedglas 9000 and 9100 welding visors. The award was given to the development network for 3M™ Speedglas™ 9000 Series and 9100 Series Welding Shields, represented by Jörgen Eklund. The award winners include the development team at 3M / Hörnell Elektrooptik AB, the design consultancy Ergonomidesign and the ergonomics research groups at Linköping University and Royal Institute of Technology. The award was given for the integration of ergonomics in the product development of Speedglas 9000 and 9100 welding visors. This development has taken place in a network, organised by the Speedglas development team. It includes more than 15 years of sustainable collaboration between the manufacturer, ergonomists, designers, researchers and others, in which ergonomics aspects have been given high priority. The development started in 1994 when the manufacturer of Speedglas welding visors decided to develop a new generation of ergonomically leading welding visors. The aim was to position the product as market leader through better value to their customers. The development network that was built up included several ergonomists and organisations collaborating in a network. The company developed a high-tech product, giving ergonomic advantages for the welders as well as their employers in terms of improved working environment, safety, usability, productivity and quality. The welding visor became a market success, with increased sales volume each year. Total sales have exceeded two billion Swedish crowns, including more than 90% on export, and the future market potential is excellent.
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