SIST EN ISO 6385:2017

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2017
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SIST EN ISO 6385:2004
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Ergonomics principles in the design of work systems (ISO 6385:2016)
Grundsätze der Ergonomie für die Gestaltung von Arbeitssystemen (ISO 6385:2016)
Principes ergonomiques de la conception des systèmes de travail (ISO 6385:2016)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 6385:2016
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 6385
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2016
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.180 Supersedes EN ISO 6385:2004
English Version
Ergonomics principles in the design of work systems (ISO
6385:2016)
Principes ergonomiques de la conception des systèmes Grundsätze der Ergonomie für die Gestaltung von
de travail (ISO 6385:2016) Arbeitssystemen (ISO 6385:2016)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 July 2016.

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-CENELEC 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-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 6385:2016 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 6385:2016) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159
“Ergonomics” in collaboration with 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 April 2017, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2017.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 6385:2004.
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,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 6385:2016 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 6385:2016 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6385
Third edition
2016-09-15
Ergonomics principles in the design of
work systems
Principes ergonomiques de la conception des systèmes de travail
Reference number
ISO 6385:2016(E)
©
ISO 2016
ISO 6385:2016(E)
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
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ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 6385:2016(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 2
3 Designing work systems . 4
3.1 General principles . 4
3.2 Work system design process . 5
3.3 Formulation of goals (requirements analysis) . 6
3.4 Analysis and allocation of functions . 6
3.5 Design concept . 7
3.6 Detailed design (or development) . 7
3.6.1 General. 7
3.6.2 Design of work organization. 8
3.6.3 Design of work tasks . . . 8
3.6.4 Design of jobs . 9
3.6.5 Design of work environment . 9
3.6.6 Design of work equipment and interfaces .10
3.6.7 Design of workspace and workstation .10
3.7 Realization, implementation, adjustment, verification and validation .12
4 Evaluation and monitoring .12
4.1 General .12
4.2 Health and well-being .13
4.3 Safety .13
4.4 System performance .13
4.5 Usability .14
4.6 Cost-benefit .14
4.7 Conformance .14
Bibliography .15
ISO 6385:2016(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 1, General
ergonomic principles.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 6385:2004), which has been technically
revised with the following changes:
— terms were aligned with the terms given in ISO 26000;
— 3.2, 3.7 and Clause 4 have been technically revised;
— life cycle of a work system was introduced in 3.2;
— principle of adjustment was added to 3.7 and validation replaced by verification;
— new subclause on conformity was added to Clause 4;
— examples were added in several clauses.
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 6385:2016(E)
Introduction
Technological, economic, organizational and human factors affect the work behaviour and well-being of
people as part of a work system. Applying ergonomic knowledge in the light of practical experience in
the design of a work system is intended to satisfy human requirements.
This International Standard provides a basic ergonomic framework for professionals and other people
who deal with the issues of ergonomics, work systems and working situations. The provisions of this
International Standard will also apply to the design of products for use in work systems.
Following the principles and requirements described in this International Standard will support
management in making better decisions, for instance related to the sustainability of investments in
work system innovation.
In the design of work systems in accordance with this International Standard, the body of knowledge
in the field of ergonomics is taken into account. Ergonomic evaluations of existing or new work systems
will show the need for, and encourage attention to, the role of the worker within those systems.
ISO 26800 provides a general starting point for thought on ergonomics and determines the essential
general principles and concepts. This International Standard presents these in the context of the design
and evaluation of work systems.
This International Standard is also valuable in the application of management systems such as
OHSAS 18001. Besides guidelines for processes, it also offers guidance for achieving good human
performance.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6385:2016(E)
Ergonomics principles in the design of work systems
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes the fundamental principles of ergonomics as basic guidelines
for the design of work systems and defines relevant basic terms. It describes an integrated approach
to the design of work systems, where ergonomists will cooperate with others involved in the design,
with attention to the human, the social and the technical requirements in a balanced manner during the
design process.
Users of this International Standard will include executives, managers, workers (and their
representatives, when appropriate) and professionals, such as ergonomists, project managers and
designers who are involved in the design or redesign of work systems. Those who use this International
Standard can find a general knowledge of ergonomics (human factors), engineering, design, quality and
project management helpful.
The term “work system” in this International Standard is used to indicate a large variety of working
situations, including permanent and flexible work places. The intention of this International Standard is
to assist in the improvement, (re)design or change of work systems. Work systems involve combinations
of workers and equipment, within a given space and environment, and the interactions between these
components within a work organization. Work systems vary in complexity and characteristics, for
example, the use of temporary work systems. Some examples of work systems in different areas are the
following:
— production, e.g. machine operator and machine, worker and assembly line;
— transportation, e.g. driver and car or lorry, personnel in an airport;
— support, e.g. maintenance technician with work equipment;
— commercial, e.g. office worker with workstation, mobile worker with a tablet computer, cook in a
restaurant kitchen;
— other areas like health care, teaching and training.
The observance of ergonomic principles applies to all phases throughout the life cycle of the work system
from conception through development, realization and implementation, utilization, maintenance and
support to decommissioning.
The systems approach in this International Standard gives guidance to the users of this International
Standard in existing and new situations.
The definitions and ergonomic principles specified in this International Standard apply to the design
of optimal working conditions with regard to human well-being, safety and health, including the
development of existing skills and the acquisition of new ones, while taking into account technological
and economic effectiveness and efficiency.
The principles in this International Standard are applicable to many other human activities, e.g. in the
design of products for domestic and leisure activities. A more general description of the principles in
this International Standard can be found in ISO 26800.
NOTE 1 This International Standard is considered to be the core ergonomic standard for work systems from
which many others on specific issues are derived.
Note 2 Although elements of the system can be the same, this International Standard is not intended to be
applied to systems used in a non-work context (e.g. the use of a vehicle for private purposes).
ISO 6385:2016(E)
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
well-being
sustainable internal state resulting from satisfaction of the physical and cognitive
needs of the worker (2.4) during his/her activity
Note 1 to entry: Well-being can contribute to the quality of working life.
2.2
work system
system comprising one or more workers (2.4) and work equipment (2.6) acting together to perform
the system function (2.21), in the workspace (2.9), in the work environment (2.8), under the conditions
imposed by the work tasks (2.17)
2.3
ergonomics
human factors
scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among human and other elements
of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to
optimize human well-being (2.1) and overall system performance
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.2]
2.4
worker
person performing one or more activities to achieve a goal within a work system (2.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.11, modified — synonym “operator” omitted]
2.5
work organization
interacting work systems (2.2) acting to produce a specific overall outcome
Note 1 to entry: The process of work organization includes coherent actions in relation to establishing the
form and mode of organization to be adopted (e.g. individual or collective work, teams working separately
or interdependently, etc.). It is also necessary to define and allocate resources and determine the means and
channels of communication. All these actions lead to the definition and assignment of prescribed tasks to the
operators involved.
2.6
work equipment
tools, including hardware and software, machines, vehicles, devices, furniture, installations and other
components used in the work system (2.2)
2.7
work process
sequence in time and space of the interaction of workers (2.4), work equipment (2.6), materials, energy
and information within a work system (2.2)
2.8
work environment
physical, chemical, biological, organizational, social and cultural factors surrounding a worker (2.4)
2.9
workspace
volume allocated to one or more persons in the work system (2.2) to complete the work task (2.17)
2 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 6385:2016(E)
2.10
external work load
work stress
external conditions and demands in a work system (2.2) which influence a person’s physical and/or
mental internal load
Note 1 to entry: In some countries, “external work load” is referred to as “work stress”.
Note 2 to entry: Compare ISO 26800:2011, 2.4.
2.11
work strain
internal response of a worker (2.4) to being exposed to external work load (2.10) depending on his/her
individual characteristics (e.g. body size, age, capacities, abilities, skills, etc.)
Note 1 to entry: In ISO 26800, “work strain” is called “internal load”.
Note 2 to entry: Compare ISO 26800:2011, 2.6.
2.12
usability
extent to which a system, product or service can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals
with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use
Note 1 to entry: Systems, products or services are part of work systems (2.2) and used by workers (2.4) within
those systems.
Note 2 to entry: In this International Standard, the context of use is within a work system.
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-210:2010, 2.13]
2.13
human-centred design
approach to systems design and development that aims to make interactive systems more usable by
focusing on the use of the system and applying human factors/ergonomics (2.3) and usability (2.12)
knowledge and techniques
[SOURCE: ISO 9241-210:2010, 2.7, modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry omitted]
2.14
accessibility
extent to which products, systems, services, environments and facilities can be used by people from
a population with the widest range of characteristics and capabilities to achieve a specified goal in a
specified context of use
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.1, modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry omitted]
Note 1 to entry: Products, systems, services and facilities are part of work systems (2.2) and used by workers (2.4)
within those systems.
Note 2 to entry: In this International Standard, the context of use is within a work system.
2.15
allocation of functions
process of deciding whether system functions (2.21) will be implemented by humans, by equipment
and/or hardware and/or software
2.16
job
organization and sequence in time and space of an individual’s work tasks (2.17) or the combination of
all human performance by one worker (2.4) within a work system (2.2)
ISO 6385:2016(E)
2.17
work task
activity or set of activities required of the worker (2.4) to achieve an intended outcome
2.18
workstation
combination and spatial arrangement of work equipment (2.6), surrounded by the work environment
(2.8) under the conditions imposed by the work tasks (2.17)
2.19
work fatigue
impairing non-pathological manifestation of work strain (2.11), completely reversible with rest
Note 1 to entry: Work fatigue can be mental, physical, local and/or general.
Note 2 to entry: Compare ISO 26800:2011, 2.5.
2.20
target population
people for whom the design is intended, specified according to the relevant characteristics
Note 1 to entry: Relevant characteristics include, for example, the skill level, intelligence or physical
characteristics, such as anthropometric dimensions, of these people. Gender and age can be related to variations
in these characteristics. In addition to these intrinsic characteristics, extrinsic factors (e.g. cultural differences)
could also be relevant.
[SOURCE: ISO 26800:2011, 2.8]
2.21
system function
broad category of activity performed by a system
3 Designing work systems
3.1 General principles
Work system design considers human beings as the main factor and an integral part of the system to be
designed, including the work process, as well as the work environment.
In the design process of work systems, the major interactions between one or more people and the
components of the work system, such as tasks, equipment, workspace and environment, shall be
considered.
These interactions create demands on the worker that together constitute the external work load. This
will result in reactions within the worker, depending on her/his individual characteristics (e.g. size,
age, capacities, abilities, skills, etc.) called work strain. Work strain will result in impairing effects (e.g.
fatigue generated by work), or facilitating effects (e.g. skill development), thus affecting the individual
characteristics of the worker in a feedback loop.
Ergonomic work system design aims at optimizing work strain, avoiding impairing effects and
promoting facilitating effects. Unimpaired human performance at the same time will often improve
system effectiveness and efficiency, thus contributing to another important goal of ergonomic work
system design.
Ergonomics shall be used in a preventive function by being employed from the beginning rather than
being used to solve problems after the design of the work system is complete. However, ergonomics can
be successfully employed in the redesign of an existing, unsatisfactory work system. Furthermore, in
a risk assessment process, the interaction between work system design and the worker’s foreseeable
behaviour should be considered in order to secure their safety and health.
4 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

ISO 6385:2016(E)
The most important decisions that have consequences in the design are made at the beginning of
the design process. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to the application of ergonomics
principles at this stage. Ergonomic contribution to the work system design shall continue throughout
the design process. However, the level of input can vary from being fundamental and extensive during
the analysis of the system needs (“formulation of goals”) to fine-tuning when the completed system is
being implemented (“realization, implementation and verification”). Sufficient attention shall continue
to be given to the application of ergonomic principles until late in the design process in order to prevent
negative effects such as delays in projects, extra costs for adaptation, a lower design quality, and
reduced usability.
In accordance with a human-centred approach, workers should ideally be involved in and should
participate in the design of work systems during the process in an effective and efficient manner.
Workers include those responsible for constructing, maintaining, operating, and supervising, each of
which requires different considerations. In work system design, a participatory approach is essential
in order to avoid sub-optimal solutions, because the experience of workers provides an indispensable
knowledge base. The design process shall therefore, wherever possible, involve workers in all stages.
NOTE 1 Detailed information about the human-centred approach can be found in ISO 9241-210.
It is recommended that a work system be designed for a broad range of the target population (see
ISO 26800:2011, 4.2.2). In particular, the designer should consider the needs of people with special
requirements and apply ergonomic principles to ensure that work systems are accessible to them. Thus,
the need for the development of special solutions for individual workers can be minimized and the
accessibility of the work system improved.
NOTE 2 Special requirements include limitations to sensory abilities such as vision, tactile and acoustic input,
and physical abilities such as dexterity, manipulation, movement, voice, strength and endurance, cognitive
abilities such as intellect, memory, language and literacy. For further guidance, see ISO/IEC Guide 71 and
ISO/TR 22411.
In ergonomics, the variation within the target population is commonly accounted for by using the 5th
and/or 95th percentiles of important design characteristics, with the intention of accommodating at
least 90 % of the target population.
NOTE 3 In some circumstances, a different percentile range is used. For example, the 1st and 99th percentiles
are used for many safety-related applications.
In designing the work system, a variety of conditions should be considered, e.g. normal, disturbed and
degraded functioning.
The work system design process (3.2) can be divided into the following phases:
— formulation of goals (requirements analysis) (3.3);
— analysis and allocation of functions (3.4);
— design concept (3.5);
— detailed design (or development) (3.6);
— realization, implementation, adjustment, verification and validation (3.7);
— evaluation and monitoring (Clause 4).
These phases will be explained in the relevant clauses or subclauses.
3.2 Work system design process
“Designing” refers to an iterative and structured process of a number of design phases, which r
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