Technical Member

Who can become a Technical Member?

Anyone who undertakes ergonomics/human factors as a significant part of their work can apply to become a Technical Member. For example, you may be a psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, a back care advisor, an engineer, a product designer, or a systems designer.

What knowledge and experience do I need?

You need to have, and be able to demonstrate, the necessary skills, knowledge and experience of ergonomics in your own profession. You need:

• A minimum of two years’ experience as a professional carrying out ergonomics/human factors work
• To be able to demonstrate that you understand what constitutes an ergonomics approach to work (a human-centred, participatory approach integrating essential knowledge areas)
• Detailed knowledge of at least one of the following knowledge areas and some knowledge of at least one other:
  • Anatomy & physiology
  • The work environment
  • People & systems
  • Psychology
  • Methods & tools

Find out more about what these knowledge areas include.

You will also need two referees, one of whom must work outside your organisation, and at least one of whom must be a Registered Member or Fellow of the IEHF. If one of your referees is not an IEHF member, then they must be of an equivalent standing in a related professional body.

That sounds tricky! How do I do all that?

Don’t worry. The application form will guide you through most of it, and this will be supported by a Portfolio of Work which will allow us to assess the rest (and we have a form for that too).

What should I put in my Portfolio of Work?

Your Portfolio of Work is a key part of your application as it demonstrates to the assessors the ergonomics that you have undertaken over your minimum two year period of work.

Your portfolio is made up of a log book and supporting material. The log book should contain separate records of between 6 and 12 significant activities over the period.

There must be at least 200 days work undertaken during that period (part time ergonomics work is pro rata, e.g. 40 half days = 20 full days). If you have worked on a long term project you can break it down into smaller activities.

Each log book record should be one to two pages long and comprise:
a) a brief summary of the activiity
b) details of the ergonomics involved
c) a description of the outputs from the work
d) details of how this work demonstrates your ergonomics approach

You need to support the log book by at least five documented examples of your work, for example the final reports from the work you described. These should show in detail the ergonomics/human factors work you undertook during that project.

How will my application be assessed?

Once we have received and checked your application for completeness, we will ask for reports from your referees (if you have not already done this). Once they have been received, your application will be passed to two members of the Assessment Panel of the Professional Affairs Board who will then review it. At this point the assessors might ask you to submit additional information if there are any areas which need clarification. The assessors have to answer positively all the questions below:

• Have you completed the necessary two years professional experience?
• Have you demonstrated sufficient knowledge?
• Does your Portfolio of Work contain sufficient work to enable the assessment to be done?
• Have you demonstrated an ergonomics approach to your work?
• Are your referees reports adequate and supportive?

The assessors then make a recommendation to the PAB, who may themselves occasionally ask for additional information from you, for instance, if the two assessors did not unanimously recommend acceptance.

How long will this take?

That depends on several things such as the quality and completeness of your initial application, and the speed with which we receive your referees reports. The assessors are all volunteers so must find time to assess your application, though they will endeavour to do this as quickly as possible. We will make every effort to keep you in touch with progress but you are also welcome to contact us at any time to check how your application is progressing.

If my application is successful, what happens then?

Congratulate yourself! If the PAB approves your application, we will let you know straight away and you will be sent a letter confirming the decision. You will get a certificate and will be able to use the post-nominal Tech.IEHF, as recognition of your professional status. Your name will also be published in the next edition of ‘The Ergonomist’.

Importantly, as a member of the IEHF, you must abide by our Code of Professional Conduct, which helps us to maintain standards and reassures employers and clients.

What if my application is rejected?

If your application is rejected by PAB, you will be given guidance as to the areas in which it was felt that your application was lacking, so that you get a chance to improve your application. We will help you all we can with this.

How much does it cost?

The current annual subscription fee for a Technical Member is £74 if you pay by direct debit. If you pay by cheque or debit/credit card, a fee of £8 will be added. There is also a one-off application and assessment fee of £50+VAT.

How do I apply?

1. Complete the application form.
2. Create your Portfolio of Work.
3. Ask your referees to complete the referee report form.
4. Email everything to the IEHF office at applications@ergonomics.org.uk.
5. Send a cheque for the application fee or call the office on 01509 234904 to pay by phone.

Note that the application form is a PDF that can be filled in electronically but you must have Adobe Reader 9.0 or later. Get Adobe reader.

I need help!

If you have any queries and need help or further information, please contact us.

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