I think there's a real opportunity for ergonomic expertise to support many of the international programs that support developing communities. For example, Engineers Without Borders enables the "implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students." These projects are frequently focused on basic human needs such as water purification/delivery and sanitation. Many of these solutions require human power. I wonder whether ergonomic expertise has been applied to the design and implementation of these systems. This is particularly important, given the diversity of anthropometric characteristics across the served communities.
One organization that is contributing is Synergo Arts, which is a "resource for ergonomics education, consulting, and design for communities of artists and artisans around the world, to maximize their health, income, performance, productivity, and the quality of the art or craft that they create." Their ergonomically designed weaving bench (pictured above) also won a User-Centered Design Award from the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society in 2007. The bench is actually produced by local carpenters (in South America) for local weavers, thereby benefiting two industries.
If you know of similar organizations or individuals working towards improving ergonomics in developing communities, please contact me.
