OUR CRITERIA

Our Criteria
We use a 6-tiered approach in our approval process. We evaluate each product or service on its own merits and against relevant and applicable principles and standards specific to the product or service being evaluated.

(We acknowledge that ergonomics is not “one size fits all” in its approach and that it is almost impossible to provide a general list of criteria that will be applicable to every product. Therefore we use the 6 tiered approach as a guideline.)

We evaluate your product or service based on the following ergonomic criteria:

PRODUCT AND SERVICE EVALUATION

ErgoCheck ergonomic specialists evaluate your product, service and/or design concepts for ergonomic soundness and design, based on our 6 ergonomic criteria. If found to be truly ergonomic, you will receive the “ergonomics stamp of approval.
For Products
Please click on the + to expand each criterium.
EASE OF USE
“The extent to which a product can be used by the specified users to achieve the intended goals with ease, effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction” (ISO 9241: 11, 1998).
  • How easily can a user use the product for its intended purpose?
  • Is the design so familiar to the user that it is intuitive to use?
  • Is the minimum amount of effort required to use the product?
  • How easily will a novice be able to use the product?
DESIGN
  • Is the product comfortable to use? 
  • Does it take into account differences in human capabilities?
  • Does it consider user limitations?
  • Does the design take the intended user into consideration?
  • Is it user-centred?
  • Is the product aesthetically pleasing?
  • Is it innovative in its design?
  • Does the product design optimise human well-being and performance?
SUSTAINABILITY
The sustainability criteria considers the entire product life cycle (from composition, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, recycling, disposal). 

Considerations include:
  • Materials used in the manufacturing of the product (recycled, sustainable, recyclable).
  • Product and water usage (wastage) during manufacturing.
  • Packaging (materials, minimal).
  • Brand corporate social responsibility.
  • How easily it can be disposed of.
QUALITY
The quality criteria considers the following aspects of quality:
  • Product finishes
  • Materials used
  • Durability
FUNCTIONALITY
  • Does it serve the purpose it was designed for?
  • Is it practical and useful?
  • Does it do the job it was made for?
  • Does it work?
SAFETY AND WELL-BEING
The safety and well-being criteria identifies whether the product design could cause injury or stress to the user. It looks at aspects such as:
  • Burrs,
  • Sharp edges,
  • Projection points,
  • Pinch points,
  • Choking hazards,
  • Repetitive motions.
For Services
Please click on the + to expand each criterium.
SUPPLY
Are ergonomic principles adhered to during the control of supply, importation or resupply of machinery, plant or work systems?
SUSTAINABILITY
During the preparation, execution and management of the offered services are sustainability principles (reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose) adhered to?
TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY
  • Are measures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of employees during the transportation phase of a product delivery?
  • Are the products supplied in a manner that optimises human well-being and overall system performance during transport, storage and handling?
  • Are machinery, plant or work systems installed to achieve human well-being and overall system performance?
MANUAL MATERIALS HANDLING
  • Have employees been trained in correct ergonomic manual materials handling (MMH) techniques?
  • Do employees adhere to correct ergonomic MMH techniques?.
  • Are the shapes, sizes, weights and handling aids (handles) of packaging considered by the employees when MMH tasks are required?
  • Are repetitive motions experienced during handling of products?
MANUFACTURING
  • Are potential users of machinery, plant or work systems provided with information, instruction and training that ensures optimal human well-being and overall system performance?
  • Are employees that are making use of machinery, plant or work systems provided with information, instruction and training on the correct use of the system or machinery?
MAINTENANCE
  • Is information provided on the appropriate maintenance of machinery, plant or work systems to ensure safe operation and use by potential users or maintenance personnel?
  • Are maintenance personnel trained and informed on the correct maintenance operations?
  • Are safety measures in place during maintenance operations?