From Everlasting Conflict to an Exciting Challenge

Thursday, 20 October

Coordinators: Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft (GfA) and ErgoMach

The major problem in the field of application of ergonomic principles in machinery construction is not so much a lack of good ergonomic solutions, but a deficiency in communication between ergonomists, designers, manufacturers, buyers and users of machines, experts in standardization and the public authorities. This lack of communication provokes too often the construction of machinery without adequate ergonomic design.

In the session it is to be discussed why it is so difficult to:

• include ergonomic principles into design of machinery?
• minimize the efforts required and difficulties encountered by employers integrating machinery in the workplace?
• ensure that the feedback from the end users is taken into account?

The session will present the view of the different stakeholders onto these questions in an “ergonomic” form by alternating short presentations with an extensive open discussion.The Chairmen of EU-Commission machinery working group, of CEN/TC 122 (Ergonomics) and of CEN/TC 114 (Safety of Machinery) will discuss with the visitors of the session ways out of the eternal conflict. Additionally ErgoMach will present the added value of a comprehensive cooperation and its idea to realize it.

The Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft (GfA) concentrates in this session on the interaction of ergonomic design and maintenance of the machinery. Surveys of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work showed that maintenance is a high-risk activity with some of the hazards resulting from the nature of the work.

Maintenance work was rarely in the focus of work scientists. The implementation of ergonomic findings and principles within the context of the machinery directive offers good opportunites for the improvement of maintenance work.

9.15 – 12.15

Introduction

Stefano Boy, European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)

1. Experts and Stakeholders Discussion

Every expert presents a ten minute paper. The audience is invited to make questions and comment the statements on cards.  

Chairmen: Stefano Boy, European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and Corado Mattiuzzo, Commission for Occupational Health and Safety and Standardization (KAN)

Employers: Hans-Otto Schiler - AUDI AG, Germany

Employees:  Ulrich Bamberg - KAN Office of the Social Partners, Employees

Designers and Manufacturers: Patrice Caulier - Bobcat France SA –

OHS Experts: Pascal Etienne, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Safety, France  

Ergonomists: Roland Gauthy, European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)

2. Experts and Stakeholders Discussion

The speakers will give their opinions to the questions and comments of the first part of the session and start a discussion with the audience.

Chairman: Stefano Boy

Ian Fraser, Chairman WG Machinery

Georg Krämer, Chairman of CEN/TC 122 (Ergonomics)

Christoph Preuße, Chairman of CEN/TC 114 (Safety of Machinery)

Phil Papard, Chairman ADCO Machinery Working Group)

Hans-Otto Schiler, AUDI AG, Germany

Ulrich Bamberg, KAN Office of the Social Partners, Employees

Patrice Caulier, Bobcat France SA –

Pascal Etienne, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Safety, France

Roland Gauthy, European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)

12:15 – 14:00    Lunch Break

14:00 – 14:20

Presentation of the added value of cooperation of employers, designers, users, ergonomist and OHS-experts, standardizers

Dr. Fabio Strambi, Federation of the European Ergonomics Societies (FEES)

14:30 – 14:50

Presentation, results, vision and challenges of ErgoMach

Thomas Kolbinger, DGUV

15.00 -17.00

Ergonomic Design of Machinery and Maintenance

Chairmen: Dr. Martin Schütte, GfA und Prof. Dr. Sascha Stowasser, German Institute for Applied Ergonomics (IfAA)

15:00 – 15:15

Introduction: Ergonomic Design of Machinery and Maintenance

Dr Martin Schütte and Prof Dr.Sascha Stowasser

15:15 – 15:35

The European Campaign  „Safe Maintenance“

Katalin Sas, European Agency for Safety and health at Work, Bilbao

15:40 – 16:00

Ergonomics in maintenance and overhaul of rail rolling stock

Melcher Zeilstra,  INTERGO bv, Utrecht

16:05– 16:25

Acceptance or Non-acceptance of Ergonomic Work Equipment – a case study (working title)

Manuela Östreich, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the raw materials and chemical industry (BG RCI)

16:25 – 17:00    Discussion