Keynotes' abstracts: Practical ways to facilitate ergonomics improvements in small-scale workplaces

There is a growing need for practical ways to facilitate ergonomics improvements in small workplaces, given the constraints such as economic limitations, insufficient technical knowledge and lack of time and effort. Key to these is to highlight good practices, emphasise feasible improvements to reduce work-related risks and also employ simple procedures by toolkits. Much work has been conducted and has resulted in materials and participatory programmes focussing on various groups such as small enterprises, home workers, workers in construction sites and those involved in agriculture. Evidence from research as well as success stories is drawn from applications of these participatory approaches, particularly in industrially developing countries in Asia and Africa. Thus, to facilitate ergonomics improvements in small-scale workplaces, it is recommended to provide support for building on local good practices, to focus on low-cost improvements by applying risk-reducing principles, and to facilitate participatory planning by means of locally adjusted toolkits.