Integration of Ergonomics and Ecology - Activity Analysis Based Knowledge Transfer as Methodologic Approach Applied to Solve Severe Health and Environmental Hazards of the Metallurgic Industry in North West Russia

Abstract

Working conditions of the metallurgic industry on Kola Peninsula, Russia are extremely hazardous. These industries also cause large scale environmental pollution. While the ergonomic problems still are mainly neglected, the destroyed forests and other effects on nature have been studied by ecologists, so far without considerable improvement. The situation from both aspects can be improved by integrating methods from ergonomics and ecology. Thereby knowledge transformation becomes a key issue. While Ecology has no methods for analysis of human activity and transfer of knowledge, Ergonomics can provide both. Ergonomically based ‘Ecological Optimisation’ in the industry can encourage environment and ecosystem to recover with limited costs. As a result it will also be possible to bring the severe working conditions into focus for improvement.

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