Human Factors and Ergonomics

ERG100 | 05/25 - 7/19/2026 | Foundations for Cognitive, Macro and Physical Human Factors and Ergonomics

This course presents fundamental concepts from multiple disciplines that are essential to practicing ergonomics. The course begins with core topics from anatomy, kinesiology and the physiology of work as applied to human abilities and limitations. The class continues with an exploration of biomechanics, anthropometry, physical and psychosocial ergonomic risk factors and analytic methods to mitigate risk exposure. Finally, cognitive and macro ergonomics models are introduced along with considerations for the professional ergonomist. Learners will also evaluate different environments based...

ERG150 | 05/25 - 7/19/2026 | Macroergonomics: A Systems Approach to Human Factors and Ergonomics

This 8-week, asynchronous online course presents fundamental concepts from multiple disciplines that are essential to understanding and implementing macroergonomics principles. The course begins with introducing core topics from systems theory, socio-technical systems approach, organizational behavior and design, participatory ergonomics, and implementing integrated organizational interventions. The class continues with an exploration of various case studies where macroergonomics interventions occurred along with recognizing successful factors in designing and implementing organizational...

ERG140 | 03/23 - 05/17/2026 | Human-Centered Design

This 8-week, asynchronous online course will focus on the role of Human Factors & Ergonomics (HF/Ergo) in the design of occupational tasks and consumer products. The course starts with an introduction to human-centered design concepts and the design process, followed by an overview of human capacity including a detailed examination of anthropometry, as this is essential for human-centered design. Next, we cover the use of engineering design optimization methods such as motion capture, force measurement and digital human modeling and simulation software, and the use of validated...

ERG130 | 01/19 - 03/15/2026 | Cognitive Human Factors and Ergonomics

This course explores the essential topics of human information processing, controls and displays, sensory and cognitive contributions to systems, and implications for the design of systems in the workplace. The field of human factors and ergonomics is interdisciplinary, with applications wherever humans interact with equipment in a system's context. Examples will be drawn from a wide range of work contexts, including medicine, transportation, and computer tasks. Learners will differentiate cognitive ergonomics, and how it fits into design and analysis. Typical design problems will be...

10/22/2025: Swine Processing and Worker Health: Results from the PULSE Study

About the webinar:

The PULSE Swine Study evaluated 587 workers across 6 plants in 2024 using a within subjects study design to understand how the speed of swine processing affects workers’ risk of muscle and joint problems. 46% of evaluated workers were found to be at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. One establishment had a statistically significant increase in MSD hazard with increasing evisceration line speed while another establishment had a statistically significant decrease in MSD hazard with increasing evisceration line speed, with the other four having non-...

08/20/2025: OSHA Ergonomics: History, Enforcement, and Success Stories

About the webinar:

OSHA’s presentation will introduce and expand the participants understanding of the history of OSHA ergonomics enforcement, how OSHA enforces ergonomics in workplaces where employees suffer significant musculoskeletal injuries, and how OSHA’s enforcement actions result in improved safety and health and ergonomics programs and reduced workplace hazards to employees. Case study examples will be presented. OSHA’s VPP and Safety Pays topics are also promoted and discussed.

04/23/2025: Poultry Processing and Worker Health: Results from the PULSE Study

About the webinar:

The PULSE Poultry Study evaluated over 1,000 workers across 11 plants in 2024 to understand how the speed of chicken processing affects workers’ risk of muscle and joint problems. 81% of evaluated workers were found to be at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, with jobs involving fast, repetitive tasks like trimming or deboning especially risky. The faster workers had to handle chicken parts (called ‘worker speed’ or ‘piece rate’), the higher their hazard and risk of developing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

ERG120 | 10/13 - 12/14/2025 | Physical Human Factors and Ergonomics

This 8-week, asynchronous online course teaches students how to identify the components of occupational tasks that can contribute to musculoskeletal injury and/or fatigue, quantify the risks associated with those components using the most relevant ergonomics assessment tools, and to integrate that information into conclusions regarding the acceptability of the risk. The course will use physical ergonomics as an example of evidence-based practice by not only covering the analysis tools, but also explaining their scientific basis and outlining their strengths and limitations for various work...

ERG110 | 10/12 - 12/13/2026 | Evidence-Based Human Factors and Ergonomics

This course is designed to prepare you to be a competent consumer of research by applying a thorough critique of various papers and applying conclusions from published research into ergonomic practice. You will read various research articles and identify the study objectives, aims, and hypotheses as well as critique the study methods for appropriate study design, generalizability, sources of bias, and threats to validity. You will also learn about observational studies (cross-sectional, prospective, retrospective, and case-control), intervention (parallel and multi-factorial randomized...

Using a wearable surface electromyography forearm cuff to quantify the frequency and duration of repetitive hand exertions among workers performing hand intensive jobs

Bendra P
Houghton FC
Afterman M
Barr A
Harris Adamson C
2024