Comprehensive list of ergonomic risk factors - contribution of ergonomics to the science and practice of safety and health

From the perspective of the science of safety and health, ergonomics has traditionally been viewed as a discipline that contributes almost exclusively to safety and health through addressing musculoskeletal risks. It seems that even ergonomists have, to some extent, accepted this erroneous perception. This paper primarily aims to challenge this misconception and demonstrate the breadth of ergonomic risk factors that influence health and safety. Specifically, the paper identifies twelve such factors: ergonomic risk factors with a physical, psychological, physiological, anthropometric, biomechanical, sociological, organizational, design, technological, personal, discomfort, and biological component. A definition is provided for each of these factors explaining its relevance to ergonomics and its impact on worker health and safety. Furthermore, the paper presents typical examples associated with each identified factor, offering detailed explanations of how these examples affect health and safety. The health implications and the potential to create unsafe situations in the workplace are analyzed for each example. The findings reinforce the fact that ergonomics, as a multidisciplinary science, goes well beyond the confines of musculoskeletal risks and can make a substantial contribution to resolving a wide range of health and safety problems at work. This paper argues for wider recognition and use of ergonomic expertise in the many occupational settings that have overlooked ergonomics from the aspect of safety and health.