Central Safety Group Melbourne

September 2023

New thoughts on the role of ergonomics

Presentation by: Professor David Caple AM, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University; David Caple & Associates

CSG event video now available (members only)
Presentation package now available (members only)

On 12 September Professor David Caple AM shared some of the key issues and new findings from two international conferences he had just attended.

The question of what systems performance is and how it can be achieved was the subject of a number of sessions at the July conference of Organizational Design and Management in Bordeaux, France.

David outlined insights from this conference on how ergonomics can adapt to improve wellbeing and systems performance across multiple industries. The conference’s aim was to provide ‘insights, revelations and recommendations’ on the role of ergonomics.

Australia’s approach to prevention of manual handling injuries was under the spotlight at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Malaysia conference in August. It included a comparative review of Australian and Malaysian approaches.

David Caple gave a presentation there on the subject of 'Sustainable ergonomics interventions to MSD risks in industries'. He outlined some successful programs in different industries in Australia and shared those with us as well.

The presenter:

Professor David Caple AM is a leading figure in occupational health and safety here and overseas, and has led his ergonomics practitioner company in Australia since 1985. He is a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) in Australia, UK, and USA. He has advised a wide range of businesses, industry groups and public sector organisations and worked with Australian and overseas governments on work health and safety strategy. He was involved in the development of legislation relating to the prevention of MSD for the Australian government and led multiple industry-based MSD prevention projects. David was the 16th President of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) 2006-2009 and represented the IEA at conferences and meetings in 30 countries. He is currently an OHS consultant and Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University.