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Safety of machinery Ð |
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Ergonomic design |
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Part 2: Interactions between the design |
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of machinery and work tasks |
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ICS 13.110; 13.180 |
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW
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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008

National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 614-2:2000+

A1:2008. It supersedes BS EN 614-2:2000 which is withdrawn.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated
in the text by tags. Tags indicating changes to CEN text carry the number
of the CEN amendment. For example, text altered by CEN amendment A1
is indicated by !".
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee PH/9, Applied ergonomics.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

was published under the
authority of the Standards
Committee and comes into Date Comments
effect on 15 September 2000

30 June 2009 Implementation of CEN amendment A1:2008

© BSI 2009

ISBN 978 0 580 62347 9

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 614-2:2000+A1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2008

ICS 13.110; 13.180 Supersedes EN 614-2:2000

English Version

Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 2:

Interactions between the design of machinery and work tasks

Sécurité des machines - Principes ergonomiques de Sicherheit von Maschinen - Ergonomische

conception - Partie 2: Interactions entre la conception des Gestaltungsgrundsätze - Teil 2: Wechselwirkungen
machines et les tâches du travail zwischen der Gestaltung von Maschinen und den
Arbeitsaufgaben

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 June 2000 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 14 August 2008.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................4
3 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................5
4 Principles of work task design .............................................................................................................5
4.1 Characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks ......................................................................5
4.2 Methodology of work task design in relation to machinery design .................................................6
4.2.1 Establishing the design objectives....................................................................................................10
4.2.2 Function analysis.................................................................................................................................10
4.2.3 Function allocation ..............................................................................................................................11
4.2.4 Work task specification.......................................................................................................................12
4.2.5 Assignment of work tasks to operators ............................................................................................12
4.3 Evaluation of work task design ..........................................................................................................13
5 Design procedure ................................................................................................................................14
Annex A (informative) Interaction between machinery design, task design and job design ....................15
A.1.1 Good job design...................................................................................................................................15
A.2 Characteristics of well-designed jobs and implications for design ...............................................17
A.2.1 Experience and capabilities of the operator .....................................................................................17
A.2.2 Meaningful whole.................................................................................................................................17
A.2.3 Contribution to the total work output ................................................................................................17
A.2.4 Variation................................................................................................................................................17
A.2.5 Autonomy .............................................................................................................................................17
A.2.6 Learning opportunities........................................................................................................................17
A.2.7 Feedback ..............................................................................................................................................17
A.2.8 Over- and underload............................................................................................................................17
A.2.9 Repetitiveness......................................................................................................................................18
A.2.10 Opportunities for contact....................................................................................................................18
A.3 Ways of job re-design .........................................................................................................................18
A.3.1 Job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment..........................................................................18
A.3.2 Working groups and teams ................................................................................................................18
A.3.3 Participative design .............................................................................................................................19
A.3.4 Managerial development .....................................................................................................................19
Annex B (informative) Illustrative example: Design of a drilling machine ..................................................20
B.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................20
B.2 Establishing design objectives ..........................................................................................................21
B.3 Function analysis.................................................................................................................................22
B.4 Function allocation ..............................................................................................................................24
B.5 Work task specification.......................................................................................................................26
Annex ZA (informative) !Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 98/37/EC, amended by 98/79/EC"
" ...............................................28
Annex ZB (informative) !Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC"
" ...................................................................................29

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 122
"Ergonomics", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2009, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by December 2009.

This document includes Amendment 1, approved by CEN on 2008-08-14.

This document supersedes EN 614-2:2000.

The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags ! ".

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

!For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annexes ZA and ZB, which are integral parts of this
document."

EN 614 consists of the following Parts, under the general title Safety of machinery – Ergonomic design
principles:

 Part 1: Terminology and general principles

 Part 2: Interactions between the design of machinery and work tasks.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Introduction
This European Standard helps the designer in applying ergonomics principles to the design of machinery,
focusing especially on the interaction between the design of machinery and work tasks.

This is essential since the quality of design and safety of machinery depends on the prospective operators
being able to perform their tasks with the machinery in a safe and competent manner. Applying ergonomics
principles to the design of machinery and work tasks aims at minimizing the discomfort, fatigue and other
impairing effects faced by the operator and thus contributes to the optimal functioning of the work system (EN
292-2:1991, Annex A.1, 1.1.2 (d)) and reduces the risks of negative health effects. Therefore, good design
follows ergonomics principles, starts with the specification of system functions and anticipates how the
prospective operator will interact with the machinery and other work equipment.

In the design of machinery and work tasks, the physical aspects of the operator's activities are not the only
design parameters to be dealt with. Operator activities also include the perception and processing of
information, determination of strategies, decision making and communication.

1 Scope
This European Standard establishes the ergonomics principles and procedures to be followed during the
design process of machinery and operator work tasks.

This European Standard deals specifically with task design in the context of machinery design, but the
principles and methods may also be applied to job design.

This European Standard is directed to designers and manufacturers of machinery and other work equipment.
It will also be helpful to those who are concerned with the use of machinery and work equipment, e.g. to
managers, organizers, operators and supervisors.

In this European Standard the designer refers to the person or group of persons responsible for the design.

2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated reference subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications apply to
this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the
latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).

EN 614-1:1995, Safety of machinery – Ergonomic design principles – Part 1: Terminology and general
principles.

EN 894-1, Safety of machinery – Ergonomics requirements for the design of displays and control actuators –
Part 1: General principles for human interactions with displays and control actuators.

EN 292-1, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 1: Basic terminology,
methodology.

EN 292-2:1991/A1:1995, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 2:
Technical principles and specifications.

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 614-1 apply.

4 Principles of work task design

Work task design covers the analysis and specification of functions and their allocation to the machine or the
operator as part of the design process, and aims at contributing to the optimal functioning of work systems.
Therefore, good design follows ergonomics principles and gives special attention to the intended operator
population. Principles of good ergonomic design are given in EN 614-1. The aim shall be achieved by
approaching the characteristics of well designed operator work tasks given in 4.1 by following the
methodology for work task design given in 4.2 and by performing an evaluation of work task design according
to 4.3.

4.1 Characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks

When designing machinery and work tasks, the designer shall ensure that the following ergonomics
characteristics of well-designed work tasks are fulfilled. These characteristics take into account the differences
and dynamic characteristics of the intended operator population, and shall be pursued by designing machinery
and work tasks in interaction.

Thus, in the design process the designer shall

a) recognise the experience, capabilities and skills of the existing or expected operator population.
This includes the levels of general education and vocational training, as well as knowledge acquired in
other similar working situations. It should be kept in mind that levels of training and knowledge vary
across operator populations and change over time. Therefore, e.g. speed and complexity requirements
and information on task performance should be adaptable to all intended users.

b) ensure that work tasks to be performed are identifiable as complete and meaningful whole units
of work with a clearly identifiable beginning and end, rather than as isolated fragments of such
tasks. Therefore, each work task should in particular comprise not only performance components, but
also preparatory (e.g. planning) and evaluative (e.g. inspection, checking) components.

c) ensure that work tasks performed are identifiable as a significant contribution to the total output
of the work system. The operator should be able to understand how and to what extent task
performance and its outcome will affect the whole work system and its outcomes. Thus, unnecessary
fragmentation of the work process, leading to narrow operator work tasks shall be avoided.

d) provide for the application of an appropriate variety of skills, capabilities and activities, and in
particular provide for an appropriate combination of the following types of behaviour:

 skill based behaviour, which consists of an immediate, simple conscious or non-conscious reaction
to cues from the work process,

 rule based behaviour, which allows the operator to exert control of the work process by applying
basic algorithmic rules (e.g. by making simple if-then decisions)

 knowledge based behaviour, which requires the operator to develop and maintain a complex set of
knowledge about the interrelationships in the process, in order to diagnose system states and faults,
and to develop solutions and perform adequate actions.

e) provide an appropriate degree of freedom and autonomy to the operator. The operator should be
able to choose among alternative ways of task accomplishments and determine priority, pace and
procedure of the work task. Rigidly fixed sequences, pace and working methods shall be avoided.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

f) provide sufficient feedback on task performance in terms meaningful to the operator. Information
on performance shall be made available enabling the operator to check whether goals are reached and
performance is adequate. This includes also information on performance mistakes and correct
alternatives.

In work tasks subject to frequent interruptions, the design of machinery shall provide for memory aids to
remind the operator where he/she left off.

g) provide opportunities to practise and develop existing skills and capabilities as well as to acquire
new ones. This should be achieved by providing for different ways of task accomplishment, sufficient
degrees of autonomy and variety in connection with appropriate feedback on task performance. This
allows the operator to choose the operation mode most suitable to the present state of expertise and to
try to gain experience in different ways of task accomplishment, preferably combining different types of
behaviour.

For monitoring and control tasks, especially in highly automated systems, the operator needs to be able
to acquire the competence to control the process and develop a clear picture of the structure and
interrelationships of the process. This will be especially crucial in emergency situations.

h) avoid overload as well as underload of the operator, which may lead to unnecessary or excessive
strain, fatigue or to errors. Frequency, duration and intensity of perceptual, cognitive and motor
activities shall be designed so as to avoid these consequences. Overload or underload shall not solely be
determined under normal, but also under abnormal conditions (e.g. worst case situations). This is
particularly relevant for monitoring and control tasks, especially in highly automated systems.

Occurrences of overload and underload vary across the population and will change with time. Therefore,
it is necessary to provide for opportunities of adaptation to individual differences, stages of development
and states of training.

i) avoid repetitiveness, which may lead to unbalanced work strain and thus to physical disorders as
well as to sensations of monotony, satiation, boredom or to dissatisfaction. Short performance
cycles should therefore be avoided. The operator shall be provided with an appropriate variety of tasks or
activities. If repetitive tasks cannot be avoided,

 performance time shall not be determined solely on the basis of average times measured or
estimated under normal conditions;

 allowances shall be given for deviations from normal conditions;

 very short cycle times shall be avoided;

 opportunities shall be given to the operator to work at his/her own pace, rather than at a set pace;

 working on moving objects shall be avoided.

j) avoid working alone without opportunities for the operator for social and functional contacts.
Lines of sight, noise levels, distances between workplaces and workplace autonomy shall be taken into
account when defining spacing, positioning and functions of machinery and other work equipment.

These characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks shall not be violated by the design of machinery.
However, taking into account applicability and the state of art, it may not be possible to meet all the objectives
completely. In this case, machinery and operator work tasks shall be designed and constructed in accordance
with these objectives as far as possible.

4.2 Methodology of work task design in relation to machinery design

The work task design in relation to machinery design can be described as a process, which includes the
following stages:

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

 establishing design objectives;

 function analysis;

 function allocation;

 work task specification, and;

 assignment of work tasks to operators.

Figure 1 and Table 1 give an outline of this process, which is described in detail in 4.2.1 to 4.2.5.

NOTE Designing is usually an iterative process, and the division between the stages may not be distinct. The design
solution of one function will often interact with the solutions of other functions within the system. Therefore, the designer
may need to move back and forth in the process, e. g. proceed by making tentative solutions and come back to re-analyse
the situation or revise the design specifications.

By following the stepwise procedure described in this European Standard, the designer can

 base the design decisions on the relevant information,

 make the decisions perceivable to all persons concerned in the design process,

 predict the consequences of the design decisions on human operations and activities, and

 check the adequacy of the decisions as early as possible.

As a general rule, in the design process the designer shall

 utilise existing experience at each stage of the process, e. g. by analysing existing design solutions and
their influence on the operator's activities,

 consider human and basic engineering factors concurrently,

 use methods which can take into account the operator's interaction with the machinery and other work
equipment,

 evaluate the design proposals at each stage of the process against the objectives, requirements and
evaluation criteria established in earlier phases of the design process, and

 document the work task design process in order to be able to verify that compliance with the
requirements of this European Standard and the established objectives have been achieved.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Figure 1 — Outline of the work task design process

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Table 1 — Description of the work task design process

No Design stage Description of stages

1 Establishing the design objectives  Gather information on comparable existing machinery

 Work out the general design objectives and design

specifications

 Establish general performance requirements and

evaluation criteria

2 Function analysis  Identify functions and sub-functions and specify them

in their hierarchy and functional relationships

 Specify functions together with their performance

criteria

 Evaluate the specified functions against the design

specifications

3 Function allocation  Allocate functions and sub-functions to the operator or

the machine, or, where appropriate, to both

 Evaluate the suitability of the functions as human

activity or machine operation

 Outline alternative design solutions and analyse the

benefits and drawbacks of them

4 Work task specification  Gather information on comparable existing tasks

 Specify the operator tasks in detail

 Evaluate the workload each task imposes on the

operator

5 Assignment of work tasks to  Specify the number of operators required

operators
 Assign the tasks to the operators

 Evaluate the total operator workload and fulfilment of

the characteristics of well-designed operator work
tasks

Decisions and actions taken in the design process have important consequences for the operator and for the
functioning of the work system as a whole. Therefore, designers should not work on their own, but involve
persons representative of all groups possibly affected by the work system, in the different design steps. This
can efficiently be done e.g. by establishing a design project group, including system designers, management
representatives, user representatives, supervisors, operators and customer groups.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

4.2.1 Establishing the design objectives

At this stage the objectives of the work system have to be specified together with performance requirements
and evaluation criteria. This stage of the task design process has to be carried out also when minor changes
of an existing work system are being planned.

Thus, the designer shall

 gather information on similar or comparable systems, e.g. planning documents, system specifications,
test and evaluation documents;

 work out general objectives of the work system regarding technical as well as human performance
requirements;

 based on these objectives, specify and document the design specifications by taking into account the
following items:

 specific goals of the system;

 any required inputs;

 any required outputs;

 any undesirable outputs;

 capabilities and performance requirements of the system;

 environmental factors that may affect the system;

 environmental factors that may be affected by the system;

 constraints on system performance;

 risk and safety constraints;

 the number and qualifications of persons employed in the system;

 the kind of training necessary;

 working conditions of the operators.

 based on these design specifications establish requirements on a general level concerning e.g.
performance, reliability, usability, safety and maintainability. These requirements shall be ranked
according to their relative importance and be used as evaluation criteria to evaluate design alternatives at
later steps and to ensure design adequacy.

4.2.2 Function analysis

At this stage, the designer shall perform an analysis of the functions and sub-functions required to meet the
design objectives, and specify the resulting functions together with their performance requirements.

NOTE Functions are logical units of activities or sets of activities that are necessary to accomplish the objectives of
the work system. Functions are described strictly in terms of activities and not in terms of means of achievement.

Thus, the designer shall

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

 identify all functions and sub-functions to be fulfilled on the basis of the general objectives and the design
specifications, and specify them in their hierarchy and functional relationships.

NOTE This is most effectively accomplished by the use of graphical methods. Depending on which aspects are most
crucial, functional process charts, decision action diagrams, design decision trees, time line analyses and network
analyses can be used for this purpose.

 specify all functions and sub-functions together with their relevant performance requirements.

NOTE The functions and sub-functions need to be broken down and specified to a level where it is possible to
transform them into operator work tasks, and to work out technical design solutions. It is important to separate this step
from the working out of technical design solutions and task specifications in order to avoid premature solutions and to
ensure the best possible solution for the work tasks, machinery and their interactions.

 evaluate the function specification by answering the following questions:

 Is each function necessary?

 Is it possible to combine functions?

 Are the functions properly sequenced or should they be re-arranged?

 What kinds of risks are connected to these functions?

 Can the functions be improved?

4.2.3 Function allocation

At this stage functions have to be allocated to the operator or the machine, or where appropriate, to both. This
function allocation has to be done as part of the outlining of the design solutions for work tasks, machinery
and their interactions. The system specifications and the operational ranges of human as well as machine
performance are to be considered in this process, e.g. sensory thresholds, information processing capabilities,
executable forces and the control of movements.

Thus, the designer shall

 describe and evaluate the various ways in which each function can be allocated. This shall be done
on the basis of the design specifications (4.2.1) and the function specifications (4.2.2) together with the
corresponding performance requirements.

 establish whether there are any functions which will lead to tasks that are beyond or near
thresholds of the operator. Such functions shall not be allocated to the human operator. They might
lead to impairments in the operator and to unnecessary risks. The designer shall verify that none of these
performance limits will be violated. He or she can do this by checking available data from
anthropometrics, biomechanics and psychophysics.

 consider differences in suitability of operators and machines for specific functions. The designer
can do this by consulting a list of relative superiority of man versus machine. An example of such a list is
provided in EN 894-1.

 consider the characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks. The designer shall check, in
particular, whether the function allocation provides a variety of complementary tasks that can form a
meaningful whole. If such a variety is lacking, re-allocation of functions to the operator is required even if
the machine has a relative superiority in them.

 where appropriate, provide for dynamic function allocation.

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

NOTE Dynamic function allocation allows the operator to allocate functions to him/herself or to the machine,
depending e.g. on experience, training or workload conditions.

 outline and evaluate the alternative design solutions, and select the one which meets best the
specifications and criteria for further development. The choice of the final solution shall be based on
the analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative.

In the allocation process care shall be taken that functions can be fulfilled also under abnormal and
emergency conditions. If necessary, special provisions shall be made for emergency procedures.

4.2.4 Work task specification

At this stage the operator work tasks resulting from the functions allocated to the operator have to be specified
in detail. At the same time the corresponding technical solutions including the man-machine interface have to
be specified. The goal of work task specification is to determine what kinds of tasks and subtasks the
operators will have to perform, and to gather information on qualification requirements, expected distributions
of workload and possible risks involved.

NOTE A work task is a set of human actions, performed by an individual operator (or groups of operators) in
interaction with the machine, which contribute to a specific functional objective and ultimately to the design objectives of
the system.

Thus, the designer shall

 gather information on comparable existing situations (work tasks and man-machine interfaces)
and consider transferable and avoidable solutions of work task design, based on ergonomic
evaluation.

NOTE The ergonomic evaluation of the operator work tasks in existing situations will help to generate a clear picture
of workload components so as to ensure adequate adjustment of the work tasks to suit the operators.

 specify what the operator has to do, how the operator has to do it, with whom, when and with
what kind of work equipment in order to operate the machinery.

NOTE By listing all work tasks and the conditions under which they are performed it is possible to anticipate
situations which otherwise might not be considered, like preparation of the machine, adjustment, reprogramming,
incidents, change of tools, change of products, cleaning machines, etc.

 describe and evaluate the workload components of the work task performance, e.g. required
strength exertion, frequency of tasks, timing and sequencing of the tasks, difficulty of learning the
tasks, difficulty of performing them and risks associated with performing the tasks.

NOTE In order to obtain a clear picture of the specified work tasks and their consequences for the operators,
methods of simulation, prototyping and work scenarios as outlined in 4.3 are most suitable.

The results of a work task specification shall verify that the characteristics of well-designed operator work
tasks as given in 4.1 are fulfilled. The specification shall give a clear picture of the workload and risks each
task imposes on the operator and enable an adequate allocation of tasks to individual operators.

4.2.5 Assignment of work tasks to operators

At this stage the number of required operators has to be specified, and if more than one operator is required,
the work tasks have to be assigned to them. The characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks and the
total operator workload shall be considered in this process.

Thus, the designer shall

 specify the number of operators required for safe and efficient operation,

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

 distribute the workload equally among the operators, and

 take care that the characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks given in 4.1. will be fulfilled.

It is not sufficient to restrict considerations to normal operating conditions. Therefore, incident situations,
transitional and emergency situations shall be taken into account.

4.3 Evaluation of work task design

The purpose of the evaluation of work tasks to be carried out in interaction with machinery and equipment is to
find out to what extent the design fulfils the goals and requirements set out in this European Standard.

The evaluation of work task design shall be performed in three different phases:

 during the design process

Continuous evaluation during the task design process, as described in 4.2, is necessary to ensure that
unfavourable solutions are excluded as early as possible. The evaluation will show to what extent the design
objectives have been reached and help to make it clear to the designer when he or she has to go back in the
design process and work out improved solutions. During the task design process it is also important to
evaluate the designs through modelling and simulation.

 during implementation

Evaluation during trial runs and other tests, i.e. before operators are requested to work with the machinery full
time, is required to assess the design solution as a whole and to make the necessary adjustments and
corrections.

 under operative conditions

Final evaluation of the machinery and the tasks performed under operative conditions serves to provide
feedback for forthcoming designs and to establish compliance with this and other relevant standards.

The procedure for these evaluations consists of:

 specifying the evaluation criteria,

 determining the method of assessment, and

 assessing the fulfilment or the violation of these criteria.

The evaluation criteria to be specified cover operational demands, e.g. fulfilment of the functions specified in
4.2, as well as characteristics of well-designed operator work tasks in 4.1.

The methods used to assess the task design depend on the type of machinery, e.g. its complexity, and on the
respective stage of evaluation. It is important to develop models of the solutions and perform simulations of
the work process, work tasks and/or human operations as early in the design process as possible.

NOTE When it is not yet possible to gather information from real or full-scale simulated conditions, the design
solution can be modelled and assessed with the help of e.g. verbal descriptions, schematic presentations, graphical
illustrations, small-scale models, work scenarios and rapid prototyping. When the design solution can be actualized e.g. as
a prototype, full-scale model, mock-up or even as an improvised setting of the technical elements, it should be assessed
through real simulation of the tasks.

The evaluation shall include both direct and indirect productive activities of the operator. Indirect activities are
e.g. supply of new material, transportation and storage, adjustment of tools, maintenance, cleaning and
inspection. Also incidents and consequences of variation in tools, materials and products have to be taken into
account in the evaluation.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Whenever possible, operators should be involved in these simulations and thus bring their own experience to
the evaluation. The models and simulations have to be demonstrated to the operators in order to ask for their
comments. They also have to be involved in the trials as test persons.

The feedback from the operators can be obtained in various ways. The following methods are suitable for this
purpose and shall be used where appropriate:

 group discussions,

 interviews,

 questionnaires,

 checklists,

 observational studies,

 analysing critical incidents, and

 psychometric assessments on standardised scales.

If there is a project group, the task design shall be evaluated by it.

The results of the evaluation process shall be documented. If the established requirements have not been
fulfilled, re-design of the tasks or the machinery or both shall be carried out.

5 Design procedure
The principles and requirements given in this European Standard shall be integrated into the design
procedure given in clause 5 of EN 614-1:1995.

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Interaction between machinery design, task design and job design

This is an informative annex giving advice on job design relative to machinery design.

In the Machinery Directive 89/392/EEC, primarily in Annex I § 1.1.2 (d), the ergonomic principles are
highlighted to ensure safety and health and a rational working process: Under the intended conditions of use,
the discomfort, fatigue and psychological stress faced by the operator shall be reduced to the minimum
possible taking ergonomic principles into account.

Production systems require high productivity and high quality as well as ensuring health and safety. These
goals may be achieved by using both good technology and the best work systems. The best work systems are
based on having skilled employees, working in jobs that have been well-designed and are made up of tasks
that have been appropriately designed.

When working, the individual is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors. The biological
influences are described in EN 614-1. The psychological effects consist of, for example, fatigue, monotony,
reduced vigilance and satisfaction. Social influences arise from the working group, the organisation and
society. These three factors need to be considered in job design.

Figure A.1 — Illustration of the relationship between the design of operator work tasks and job design

A.1.1 Good job design

To reach the goals in the Machinery Directive not only machinery and task design, but also job design should
be considered. This is particularly important when designing more complex man-machine systems. Figure A.1
illustrates the relationship between work task design and job design. If the characteristics of well-designed
operator work tasks cannot be met by designing the machinery, job design offers possibilities to adapt the
work activity to the individual operators or to a group of operators.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

The goal for good job design is to create jobs, which make it possible for the employee to have a high
productivity and quality in their work, to develop skills and to feel a high degree of well-being.

Well-designed jobs are characterized by, for example:

 good physical environment;

 reasonable variation in activities;

 opportunities to learn and grow in the job;

 opportunities to take decisions in their work;

 opportunities to have contact with other people;

 being seen as a valuable part of the whole;

 being considered important also in the long run.

Indications of unsuitable physical and/or psychological conditions can be:

 high personnel turnover;

 health effects such as frequent or long sick-leave or retirement on medical grounds;

 effects such as work accidents and/or work diseases;

 low production quality.

In consequence it is important to identify work environments that:

 lower the productivity;

 increase the mistakes;

 reduce the safety and health of the employees.

These work environments can be avoided with good job design.

Job design is a broad concept covering various approaches to improve jobs. In this informative annex the
most well-known ones are briefly described:

 job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment, which are developed to amend the deficiencies of
highly fragmented and repetitive work tasks,

 working groups and teams, which are developed, in addition to what has been mentioned above to
broaden the use of human resources and to develop organisational efficiency,

 participative design, which aims at the utilisation of user knowledge in the planning of workplace
arrangements as well as work systems and job design,

 managerial development, which aims at broadening the view from individual jobs to the development of
organisational culture and production strategies.

The concepts of job design have arisen at different times as industry has developed and therefore overlap
each other in many ways. There are also many other names used for these approaches or activities.

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

A.2 Characteristics of well-designed jobs and implications for design

In this sub-clause the characteristics of well-designed jobs and the implications for design are described. The
characteristics of well-designed jobs are closely related to those of well-designed tasks (see 4.1).

A.2.1 Experience and capabilities of the operator

In job design the experience and capabilities of the existing and future operator population are crucial. If tasks
with extremely high or low demands on the operator cannot be avoided, they should be combined with other
tasks so that neither overload nor underload effects in the job as a whole result.

A.2.2 Meaningful whole

Meaningful whole concerns the completeness of the job. Therefore, the job should comprise preparation and
evaluation as well as production activities parts to give the operator a more complete job.

A.2.3 Contribution to the total work output

Contribution to the total work output concerns the degree of fragmentation of the work process and the
division of labour. Tasks should be combined so that the operator can contribute significantly to an identifiable
part of the total work output. This can be done for example by combining tasks around product- and client
groups.

A.2.4 Variation

Variety concerns the kind of skills, capabilities and activities in the job. If simple monotonous tasks cannot be
avoided they should be combined with other tasks, so that the job as a whole incorporates visual, cognitive
and motoric aspects like perception, information processing, decision making, movements and
communication.

A.2.5 Autonomy

Autonomy concerns the freedom of action of the operator in deciding how to fulfil the work task. If autonomy in
some operator work tasks cannot be achieved, these tasks should be combined with other tasks to guarantee
a sufficient degree of autonomy in the job as a whole.

A.2.6 Learning opportunities

Learning concerns the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new skills. It can be enhanced by
offering a mix of routine and non-routine (creative) tasks. For all-round learning a certain variety of technical
communicative and organizational tasks should be present in the job.

A.2.7 Feedback

Feedback concerns giving information on task performance to the operator. This information on quantity and
quality gives the operator the possibility to see what was done well or poorly. Using this information the
operator can modify his task performance in the most suitable way.

A.2.8 Over- and underload

Over- and underload concern the frequency and intensity of visual, cognitive and motoric operator activities. If
in some tasks excessive low or high strain or fatigue for the operator cannot be avoided, these tasks should
be alternated with other tasks so that neither overload nor underload for the job as a whole results.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

A.2.9 Repetitiveness

Repetitiveness concerns the cycle time of tasks. If tasks with short cycle time cannot be avoided, these tasks
should be alternated with other tasks, so that no unbalanced work-strain in the job as a whole results.

A.2.10 Opportunities for contact

Functional and social contact can be distinguished. Functional contact concerns the possibility of reciprocal
assistance in solving work related problems. Social contact concerns the possibility of eye-contact and verbal
interaction. Where working alone is inevitable when performing certain tasks, technical means for
communications should be provided and alternation with other tasks considered.

A.3 Ways of job re-design

A.3.1 Job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment

Job rotation refers to the operator carrying out different groups of tasks in time. Job rotation can be organized
within the same work system or between different work systems. It can be based on reciprocal agreements
between operators on a more or less voluntary basis or on strict time schedules. The time an operator
performs one of the tasks can vary from a few hours or days to several weeks or months. Job rotation aims at
reducing the negative effects of unbalanced work strain and at improving opportunities for learning and
contact. Job rotation in general improves the flexibility of the operator population and the work organisation.

Job enlargement refers to the increase in the number of tasks to be performed by the operator on the same
object within the same work system. Job enlargement diminishes fragmentation of the work process and
division of labour, increases the variation in task performance and therefore reduces risks of repetitiveness
and monotony in jobs.

Job enrichment refers to an increased work content, e.g. presence of preparatory and evaluative components
in the job, like planning and control activities. Job enrichment aims at giving operators more autonomy and
control over the work process and also more responsibility to the operator. Autonomy and control are essential
for effective problem solving by the operator, improving learning opportunities and reducing stress risks in the
work process.

Job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment aim at providing the characteristics of well-designed jobs by
giving the opportunity for the operator to handle a variety of complementary tasks and sub-tasks that form a
meaningful whole.

A.3.2 Working groups and teams

The above mentioned changes to the job can be accomplished under strict supervision as a part of the
development of a conventional hierarchical organisation. Another way to achieve the same objectives is to
organise the work to be done in working groups. Within working groups it is possible to change the tasks
flexibly according to the momentary needs of the operators as well as the requirements of the work process.

The position and field of action of the working groups in the work process may vary, e.g. depending on the
type of products or technology used. The group may assume responsibility for a part of the process or for the
entire production of a product from beginning to end. The successful application of broad tasks and broad
responsibility in autonomous working groups means fulfilment of the major requirements of a "good" job
described in A.1.

Autonomous working groups may also be called teams, referring to a flat team organisation with less
supervision or at least a different type of supervision. The team organisation requires more cognitive and
social skills from the operator but working in the teams may also be a way to acquire these skills. The teams
can be considered as a step towards the learning organisation.

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EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

A.3.3 Participative design

The operator tasks may be broadened also to other fields of activity in the company, such as planning of
technical arrangements, and consequently to re-organising the work processes. The participative design
approach is based on the following starting points:

 the operator has the best experience (tacit knowledge) of the actual work activity,

 participation generally increases the functionality of the work arrangements,

 through participation the job can be designed to fit the individual operator in question,

 the process of participative design facilitates learning and acceptance of the job as well as the technology
applied,

 participation increases motivation and commitment.

The participative design of workplaces and jobs is most effectively accomplished by open discussion in a
small group and by focusing on the practical work arrangements. Illustrative and experimental design methods
(sketching, scale models, trials, simulations etc.) are needed to bring out the practical knowledge of the
operator. The discussion can preferably take place at the actual work site. Quality circles and continuous
improvement groups are examples of practical design participation.

Participation should preferably be based on the voluntary activity of the operator. Confidentiality is necessary
in its application and the participants should be assured that they can benefit from its results.

A.3.4 Managerial development

The development mentioned above is connected to the simultaneous development of the production
philosophies, production organisations, leadership strategies and organisational culture. The client-oriented,
flexibly and rapidly operating flat organisation demands a new type of supervision. Important tasks of the
supervisors in the new organisations are to provide resources and take care of other pre-conditions for work,
to encourage the production of ideas and to support and co-ordinate joint actions and communication between
the teams and between the individuals.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Annex B
(informative)

Illustrative example: Design of a drilling machine

B.1 Introduction
This Annex provides a description of the design of a drilling machine, illustrating the design process outlined in
4.2.1 to 4.2.5. This is not a complete description of the entire process, but a set of illustrations as examples of
the important decision points of the process. (This example concentrates on the ergonomics issues.) It is
important that other existing European Standards on machinery safety (for example on risk assessment (EN
1050) and safety distances (EN 294 and EN 811)) are also complied with.

Figure B.1 is a flowchart, which gives an overview of the process, its interactions and iterations. This figure
includes also references to the figures B.2 to B.7.

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Figure B.1 — Flowchart of the design process

B.2 Establishing design objectives

Figure B.2 shows an example on how the objectives of the work system can be specified together with
performance requirements and evaluation criteria. From left to right, the established objectives are shown at
three different levels, starting from the most general objective of producing a hole (columns 1 to 3). The
specifications on the more detailed level and the corresponding evaluation criteria are shown in columns 4
and 5.

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Figure B.2 — An example of general design objectives

B.3 Function analysis

Figure B.3 is a functional flowchart of the process. It is assumed that the technology and the method to
perform the task are not yet determined. From left to right the flowchart shows the main stages of the process:
PROCESS INPUT, which includes the functions of processing information on different items. This is followed
by the stage PROCESS, which includes the functions of preparation, producing a hole and checking. The last
column contains the stage PROCESS OUTPUT, which includes the functions of removing and maintenance.

Figure B.3 — Flowchart of the process at the most general level

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

It is most important to check that the right technology and methods are used to perform the task in question.
Figure B.4 shows the matrix, which can be used for the comparison between different existing methods of
producing holes.

They can be analysed according to the objectives, specifications and criteria established in Figure B.2. In this
case it is assumed that drilling is an appropriate method to produce holes.

Figure B.4 — Comparison of existing design solutions

Figure B.5 shows a functional flowchart of the drilling process in its time sequence (from left to right). In the
top part of the figure the functions are specified first at a general level. The bottom part provides a more
detailed specification of the functions and sub-functions, which have been broken down to a level where it is
possible to transform them into operator work tasks, and to work out technical solutions for the design of a
drilling machine.

Figure B.5 — Hierarchical flowchart of the specified functions

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

B.4 Function allocation

Figure B.6 shows how functions can be allocated to the operator (O) or to the machine (M). The functions and
specified sub-functions of the drilling process resulting from the function analysis are shown on the left. On the
right the specified functions are allocated either to the operator or to the machine in three different ways. The
operator suitability of function allocation depends on the needs, skills etc. of the operator as illustrated in
4.2.3. The final decision can only be made on the basis of the results of the work task specification as
described in 4.2.4.

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Figure B.6 — Function allocation

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

B.5 Work task specification

In Figure B.7 the operator work tasks resulting from the functions allocated to the operator have been
specified in detail. The three different ways in figure B.6 have been transformed into the corresponding
operator work tasks (1 to 3). At this stage the sequence of human activities in the work process is established,
and together with the corresponding technical solutions it can be evaluated.

Operator work task 1 with its corresponding technical solution A illustrates the existing task design of a
conventional drilling machine. This solution involves a deficiency in safety as there is no technical enforced
division between the positioning of the work-piece and the drilling procedure, which may lead to injuries. The
drilling depth is controlled by the operator ('eyes check depth on display'). This activity consists mainly of skill
based behaviour.

Solution B offers two optional task specifications. Operator work task 2 is conventional, manual task design,
with a safety improvement of the two hand control. The sub-task of controlling the drilling depth is eliminated,
while the sub-task of detailed speed adjustment ('set r.p.m. on continuous range', 'set gear position') are
added. In both task 1 and 2 the operator controls the drilling procedure ('normal resistance to hands, sounds,
smell etc.').

Operator work task 3 provides a machine controlled drilling procedure. The main part of the operator work
task is the detailed setting of the machine, which provides rule based behaviour.

The final choice of the design solution depends on the evaluation of the workload components of the work
task performance. Solution A (task 1) seems to involve high health risks, and is therefore not recommended.
Solution B with operator work tasks 2 and 3 should be chosen, as it takes the major characteristics of well-
designed operator work tasks mentioned in 4.1 into account.

Examples:

(e) provide an appropriate degree of freedom and autonomy to the operator. The operator is given a
choice between two alternatives of task accomplishment.

(a) recognise the experience, capabilities and skills of the existing or expected operator population.
Operators used to the conventional way of task accomplishment (task 1) are able to perform large parts of
their skills in task 2. By providing two options of task accomplishment, the drilling procedure is adaptable to a
variety of intended users.

(d) provide for the application of an appropriate variety of skills, capabilities and activities, and in
particular provide for an appropriate combination of the following levels of behavioural control:

 skill based behaviour:

e.g. control of the drilling process in task 2 by checking ('normal resistance to hands, sounds, smell etc.'),

 rule based behaviour:

e.g. adjusting/setting of the drilling machine in task 2 and 3 ('set r.p.m. on continuous range', 'set drilling feed')

 knowledge based behaviour:

The application of knowledge based behaviour depends on the context of the drilling task. Knowledge-based
behaviour may be applied in the setting of the machine according to different material characteristics (e.g.: set
r.p.m.), in the maintenance tasks and in developing new working procedures which the more advanced
machinery can afford.

(g) provide opportunities to practise and develop existing skills and capabilities as well as to acquire
new ones.

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

As outlined in items (a) and (e) the operator can choose between two ways of task accomplishment and is
thereby provided with a certain degree of autonomy. In task 2 the operator is given feedback on task
accomplishment by checking 'normal resistance to hands, sounds, smell etc.', which provides opportunities to
acquire skills by trial and error learning. In task 3 the machine provides the control of the drilling process. The
operator needs to develop the task of setting the machine and is able to acquire feedback by watching the
process and checking the results. The degree of autonomy can be increased by including knowledge based
behaviour in task design as lined out in item (d).

Figure B.7 — Operator work task specification

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BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Annex ZA
(informative)

!Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential

Requirements of EU Directive 98/37/EC, amended by 98/79/EC

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association to provide a means of conforming to Essential Requirements of the
New Approach Directive 98/37/EC on machinery, amended by 98/79/EC.

Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that Directive and has
been implemented as a national standard in at least one Member State, compliance with the normative
clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the limits of the scope of this standard, a
presumption of conformity with the relevant Essential Requirements of that Directive and associated EFTA
regulations.

Table ZA.B.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Directive 98/37/EC,
amended by 98/79/EC

Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) of this EN Essential Requirements (ERs) Qualifying remarks/Notes

of Directive 98/37/EC, amended
by 98/79/EC
All clauses Annex I: 1.1.2 c), 1.1.2 d) -

WARNING — Other requirements and other EU Directives may be applicable to the product(s) falling within
the scope of this standard. "

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 BS EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008
EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 (E)

Annex ZB
(informative)

!Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential

Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association to provide a means of conforming to Essential Requirements of the
New Approach Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.

Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that Directive and has
been implemented as a national standard in at least one Member State, compliance with the normative
clauses of this standard given in Table ZB.1 confers, within the limits of the scope of this standard, a
presumption of conformity with the relevant Essential Requirements of that Directive and associated EFTA
regulations.

Table ZB.B.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Directive 2006/42/EC

Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) of this EN Essential Requirements (ERs) Qualifying remarks/Notes

of Directive 2006/42/EC
All clauses Annex I: 1.1.2 c), 1.1.6, The design method of
rd
3.3 3 paragraph function analysis avoids
unintended misuse.

WARNING — Other requirements and other EU Directives may be applicable to the product(s) falling within
the scope of this standard. "

29
BS EN
614-2:2000
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