Professional Certification in Ergonomics/Human Factors: Professional Certification in Ergonomics/Human Factors Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE)


What’s in a Name?: What’s in a Name? ERGO-NOMICS to study work a.k.a. HUMAN FACTORS


Definitions: Definitions Ergonomics/Human Factors is a body of knowledge about human abilities, limitations, and other characteristics that are relevant to design. An Ergonomist/Human Factors Professional applies this knowledge to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable, and effective human use.


Importance of the Profession: Importance of the Profession Health Safety Comfort Ease of learning Ease of use Productivity Loyalty Satisfaction


Ergonomics Curriculum: Ergonomics Curriculum


Work Analysis & Measurement: Work Analysis & Measurement Methods of Measurement and Investigation Work Analysis Statistics and Experimental Design Computation and Information Technology Instrumentation (100 hours)


People and Technology: People and Technology Technology Training and Instruction Human Reliability Health, Safety, and Well-Being Occupational Hygiene Workplace, Information, or Work Organization Design (100 hours)


Human Characteristics: Human Characteristics Anatomy, Demographics, and Physiology Human Psychology Physical Environments Social and Organization Aspects (80 hours)


Professional Issues: Professional Issues Ethics, Practice Standards, Marketing, Business Practice, Legal Liabilities (20 hours)


Ergonomic Principles: Ergonomic Principles Ergonomics Approach Systems Theory (20 hours)


Plus…Applying the Knowledge: Plus…Applying the Knowledge Internship, Practicum, or On-the-Job Training (6 weeks)


Professional Backgrounds: Professional Backgrounds Psychology Anthropology Industrial Engineering Computer Science Industrial Hygiene Safety Health


Scope of the Profession: Scope of the Profession


Day in the Life of an Ergonomist: Day in the Life of an Ergonomist Evaluation Using Physical Simulation: Certified Professional Ergonomist conducting a test of a tractor operator station using physical simulation (6 degree of freedom motion platform). Measures of operator performance in simulated operational environments help make decisions about controls, displays, seating, and other vehicle operator station design elements.


Day in the Life of an Ergonomist: Day in the Life of an Ergonomist Evaluation Using Virtual Prototyping: Certified Professional Ergonomist and design group conducting test of experimental tractor operator station in a virtual environment (3D stereo projection of computer generated operational scene). Operator visibility, control layout and functionality, and other operator station design issues can be evaluated early in the design concept stage…well before a physical prototype is built. This technology facilitates exploring novel user-interface concepts free from constraints imposed by physical prototypes.


Day in the Life of an Ergonomist: Day in the Life of an Ergonomist Digital Human Modeling: A digital human model and database of 3-D anthropometry is used to visualize an individual’s preferred posture and space for comfortably reaching hand controls. Anatomical landmarks (e.g., shoulders, elbows, knees, eyes, etc.) of other individuals are shown in relation to the selected operator’s landmarks. Click on graphic for video


Day in the Life of an Ergonomist: Day in the Life of an Ergonomist Product Usability Testing : An Associate Ergonomics Professional testing a cell phone user in an industrial laboratory. Primary metrics include errors and navigation path through the software of an electronic travel application. Click on box to play the video


Day in the Life of an Ergonomist: Day in the Life of an Ergonomist Complex Systems Design: U.S. Navy design of a Multimodal Watchstation that interfaces ships’ systems with human operators. Click on graphic for video


BCPE Mission: BCPE Mission To provide ergonomics certification to protect the public, the profession, and its professionals by assuring standards of competency and advocating the value of certification.


Ergonomist Formation Model: Ergonomist Formation Model Defines professional competence and requirements for certification Identifies topics and hours of coursework and professional experience Distinguishes between Certified Professionals, Associate Professionals, and Certified Associates See http://www.bcpe.org for details


Why Get Certified: Why Get Certified Recognition of professional competence Authority Personal satisfaction Better job prospects Professional network


Testimonials/Endorsements: Testimonials/Endorsements “As a Manager of Human Factors, I’m often contacted by individuals offering to conduct usability evaluations of our products. The first thing I ask is whether they are certified by the BCPE. If the answer is “B-C-what?” I’ve got my answer.” - Jayne Schurick, Symantec Corporation “When there are sufficient numbers of C.P.E.’s, the effects of a few bad apples will be minimized and companies seeking Ergonomics assistance will have a large pool of competent individuals from which to choose.” - Mark Ousnamer, IIE Solutions


Certification Process: Certification Process Education Experience Examination


Number of Certified Ergonomists: Number of Certified Ergonomists Currently over 1,000 Examinations offered at least twice each year at locations around the country


BCPE: BCPE Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics P.O. Box 2811 Bellingham, WA 98227-2811 USA Phone: (888) 856-4685 FAX: (866) 266-8003 E-mail: bcpehq@bcpe.org Web: http://www.bcpe.org