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International symposium on ‘Ergonomics in developing countries’
Col r,e m a a s International symposium on 'Ergonomics in developing countries" Jakarta, Indonesia, 18-21 November 1985 This symposium was the first of its kind to be held in a developing country and, therefore, was a most important event. It w a s j o i n t l y organised by the Ministry of Manpower in the Republic of Indonesia; the Indonesian Human Resources Foundation; the International Labour Office, Geneva; the World Health O r ~ n i s a t i o n , Geneva; the International Ergonomics Association; and the South East Asian Ergonomics Society. Indonesia is a most appropriate country in which t o hold such a symposium, as it is the home of several well-known and highly respected ergonomics teachers and researchers. Prof Sutarman initiated training in ergonomics at the University of Indonesia as early as 1954, while Dr Suma'mur has been teaching and researching in the field for 15 years. Prof Manuaba of Denpasar, Bali, has been involved in the teaching and research since 1968 and was active in the formation of the South East Asian Ergonomics Association. All have promoted ergonomics amongst professionals as well as in the community in general. Participants came from 35 countries, both developing and developed. The symposium was given added weight with the strong support o f the Indonesian government demonstrated by their sponsorship and the presence of the Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Mr Umar Wtrahadikusumar, and the Minister of Manpower, HIS Excellency Mr Sudomo, at both the opening and closing ceremonies. In his opening address the vicepresident ~ t e d a number of points which were pertinent to the p r o m o t i o n and practice of ergonomics in developing countries, and which were reiterated by a number of speakers throughout the following three days. The four themes of the symposium were 'the role of ergonomics in development', by which was meant social and economic development; 'ergonomics in industry'; 'ergonomics in the rural sector ~; and "education and training in ergonomics'. The VicePresident emphasised that the most essential objective of national
326
Applied Ergonomics
development in Indonesia was the complete well-being of people - both physical and spiritual - and that in pursuit of that goal, people had to become important agents of development. Although developing countries look to more advanced nations for guidance, science and technology cannot be transferred without considering social, cultural and anthropological factors of the countries where it is to be applied. Therefore, there is an obligation on the part of the developing countries to research and develop ergonomics to suit their own situation. One of the primary needs of developing countries is technical assistance in educating selected personnel in the principles of ergonomics, as well as financial assistance for research and development. Developing countries stand to gain much from co-operation with each other and with those who are more technologically advanced. During the symposium itself, a wide range of papers was presented covering particular ergonomics issues in developing countries and general ergonomics. There were a number of papers on anthropometry and design ergonomics which reflected concern expressed throughout the symposium on the importing of western ideas, educational methods and equipment without consideration for the particular needs of each developing country. Also, there was debate and conjecture as to whether ergonomics, even in developed countries, is a luxury rather than a necessity. All speakers addressing this issue were adamant that if developing countries were to survive and compete in world markets, ergonomics was necessary, perhaps even more so for them than those countries where health and welfare services were readily accessible b y workers. Problems of climate, malnutrition and infection in workers in developing countries meant t h a t they had even more need of methods to ~ r o v e safety and comfort and to reduce :fatigue at work. Other factors were reiterated. Industry in developi~ cotmtries is still p h y ~ a l l y labour-intensive; much is agta'cuitul~'y ba~d, ~ many workers use primitive tools whicta have never been studied ergo~nnically~ I n d u c e d western tools ~ m a c h i n e r y m a y be totally inappropriate for physical, cultural or social reasons.
Probably the most repeated state, merit from participants g e n e r ~ was the need in developing countries to
December 1986
direct ergonomics investigations to the development and evaluation o f low-cost, simple, easy and readily applied solutions to the particular situation which exists in developing countries. Participatory, physical ergonomics modified to meet the needs of labourintensive work by often illiterate, undernourished, unhealthy workers in physiologically difficult climates was the most likely way this could be achieved. One person who is directing his energies toward this particular objective is Dr Katsutaka Kogi of International Labour Office (ILO), Bangkok, who was promoting low-cost ergonomics solutions for developing countries. In his paper, he emphasised building on local practice, focusing on achievement, solving production-related problems, encouraging exchange of experiences and promoting worker involvement. He and his co-workers have developed an ILO checklist entitled Programme
for improvement of working conditions and productivity in small and medium enterprises. This has proved to be a simple and effective tool, whereby enterprises can identify ergonomics problems and apply suggested solutions. Its apparent simplicity belies the care and thought put into its preparation and production. Dr Kogi is also the author of a book recently published by the ILO entitled
Improving working conditions in small enterprises in developing Asia, which gives the results of a pilot study on priorities for and the feasibility of the improvement of working conditions in small industrial enterprises in eight developing countries in Asia. It is an excellent outline of the problems and the feasibility of solutions in these industries. As every participant at an ergonomics conference knows, it is extremely difficult to guarantee that all organisational aspects of the proceedings meet our high expectations. The audio-visual system usually has its moments: timetabling becomes a juggling exercise: time allocated for certain topics proves insufficient for a variety of reasons; and ensuring universally ~ standards of preparation and presentation of material is an impossible task, This symposium experienced its share o f these wellknown problems. The industrial visits were very well co:ordinated and interesting and although perhaps lacking a little o f the purpose obvious in the rest of the proceedings, our hosts were most hospitable.
326
Applied Ergonomics
development in Indonesia was the complete well-being of people - both physical and spiritual - and that in pursuit of that goal, people had to become important agents of development. Although developing countries look to more advanced nations for guidance, science and technology cannot be transferred without considering social, cultural and anthropological factors of the countries where it is to be applied. Therefore, there is an obligation on the part of the developing countries to research and develop ergonomics to suit their own situation. One of the primary needs of developing countries is technical assistance in educating selected personnel in the principles of ergonomics, as well as financial assistance for research and development. Developing countries stand to gain much from co-operation with each other and with those who are more technologically advanced. During the symposium itself, a wide range of papers was presented covering particular ergonomics issues in developing countries and general ergonomics. There were a number of papers on anthropometry and design ergonomics which reflected concern expressed throughout the symposium on the importing of western ideas, educational methods and equipment without consideration for the particular needs of each developing country. Also, there was debate and conjecture as to whether ergonomics, even in developed countries, is a luxury rather than a necessity. All speakers addressing this issue were adamant that if developing countries were to survive and compete in world markets, ergonomics was necessary, perhaps even more so for them than those countries where health and welfare services were readily accessible b y workers. Problems of climate, malnutrition and infection in workers in developing countries meant t h a t they had even more need of methods to ~ r o v e safety and comfort and to reduce :fatigue at work. Other factors were reiterated. Industry in developi~ cotmtries is still p h y ~ a l l y labour-intensive; much is agta'cuitul~'y ba~d, ~ many workers use primitive tools whicta have never been studied ergo~nnically~ I n d u c e d western tools ~ m a c h i n e r y m a y be totally inappropriate for physical, cultural or social reasons.
Probably the most repeated state, merit from participants g e n e r ~ was the need in developing countries to
December 1986
direct ergonomics investigations to the development and evaluation o f low-cost, simple, easy and readily applied solutions to the particular situation which exists in developing countries. Participatory, physical ergonomics modified to meet the needs of labourintensive work by often illiterate, undernourished, unhealthy workers in physiologically difficult climates was the most likely way this could be achieved. One person who is directing his energies toward this particular objective is Dr Katsutaka Kogi of International Labour Office (ILO), Bangkok, who was promoting low-cost ergonomics solutions for developing countries. In his paper, he emphasised building on local practice, focusing on achievement, solving production-related problems, encouraging exchange of experiences and promoting worker involvement. He and his co-workers have developed an ILO checklist entitled Programme
for improvement of working conditions and productivity in small and medium enterprises. This has proved to be a simple and effective tool, whereby enterprises can identify ergonomics problems and apply suggested solutions. Its apparent simplicity belies the care and thought put into its preparation and production. Dr Kogi is also the author of a book recently published by the ILO entitled
Improving working conditions in small enterprises in developing Asia, which gives the results of a pilot study on priorities for and the feasibility of the improvement of working conditions in small industrial enterprises in eight developing countries in Asia. It is an excellent outline of the problems and the feasibility of solutions in these industries. As every participant at an ergonomics conference knows, it is extremely difficult to guarantee that all organisational aspects of the proceedings meet our high expectations. The audio-visual system usually has its moments: timetabling becomes a juggling exercise: time allocated for certain topics proves insufficient for a variety of reasons; and ensuring universally ~ standards of preparation and presentation of material is an impossible task, This symposium experienced its share o f these wellknown problems. The industrial visits were very well co:ordinated and interesting and although perhaps lacking a little o f the purpose obvious in the rest of the proceedings, our hosts were most hospitable.