Health Sciences

Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors (C.E.H.F)

Welcome to the web site of La Trobe University's Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, located in the School of Human Biosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University.
The Centre was established in 1987 at the Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences. The Institute later became the Faculty of Health Sciences at La Trobe University.

Since 2006 CEHF has been a member (under designation) of the World Health Organisation network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health, under the expanded title: Centre for Research and Teaching in Occupational Ergonomics, Health & Safety.

 Main Areas Of CEHF Research

The CEHF research program (and associated consulting activities) is characterised by a broad, socio-technical systems approach to assessing and managing workplace health and safety risks stemming from:
–       the physical, cognitive and emotional demands of work performance
–       design of workstations and related equipment, including computer software
–       psychosocial and physical characteristics of the workplace environment
–       the broader community context – including socioeconomic and cultural factors.

Most C.E.H.F. research is on workplace injury prevention, particularly related to: musculoskeletal disorders; psychosocial hazards and stress; and ageing workforce issues. Follow these links for details of projects and publications in those areas. Some of the ageing workforce research is conducted in collaboration with the Faculty’s Lincoln Centre for Research on Ageing.

There is a strong research focus on the roles of psychosocial hazards and occupational stress in the aetiology of musculoskeletal disorders and of various other workplace health or performance problems. Currently, a major project is developing and validating methods suitable for routine workplace use in managing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, working with both Australian and international partners in a diverse range of industry sectors and environments.

The Centre’s research on prevention of musculoskeletal disorders is informed by research of the Faculty’s Musculoskeletal Research Centre.

Working in collaboration with a range of international colleagues within the WHO network of Collaborating Centres, C.E.H.F. currently has a major role in documenting and analyzing impacts of globalisation on occupational health and in identifying potential risk management strategies for implementation by national governments and international NGOs, in accord with the WHO Workers’ health: global plan of action.

Beyond occupational health and safety, Centre staff are also active in research on various Road and Community Safety and Health issues. Research on functionally impaired and older drivers is usually conducted collaboratively with the driver Research/Education Unit based in the Faculty’s School of Occupational Therapy – OT-DRIVE.

Staff and Associates of the Centre

The expertise of CEHF staff encompasses the behavioural, social and biological sciences, and staff professional qualifications include psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and engineering.
Associate Professor Wendy Macdonald is Director of the Centre.
For details of all staff and associates of the Centre, see: Staff and Associates of the Centre

Postgraduate Coursework Program

From its inception in 1987 through until 2000, CEHF offered a postgraduate coursework program in Ergonomics. The following program of postgraduate coursework in Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics is currently being developed; the first intake of students are expected to commence in Semester 1 2010.

• Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety & Ergonomics
• Master of Ergonomics, Safety & Health

The teaching of these new courses is coordinated with that of the existing Master of Occupational Health, based in the School of Occupational Therapy.
If you are interested in receiving more information about the above courses, please email your request to: human.factors@latrobe.edu.au

Undergraduate Coursework Program

Commencing in 2000, CEHF staff have taught the Ergonomics, Safety & Health components of the following undergraduate courses:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (Ergonomics, Safety & Health)
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy / Bachelor of Ergonomics
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy / Bachelor of Ergonomics, Safety & Health

Currently, a complete restructuring of Faculty of Health Sciences undergraduate courses is underway, with the initial first year being implemented in 2009. The above Bachelor of Health Sciences course will still be offered, but the above two double degrees will be replaced by our new postgraduate coursework (see above).