The 1st European Forum for Professional Ergonomists (EuFoPErg) was organised, by the CREE (Center for Registration of European Ergonomists) for the 10th anniversary of the Eur.Erg. Certification system. This event is also supported by the FEES (Federation of European Ergonomics Societies).
This Forum has not been held in the form of a classic scientific meeting, but instead has offered an interactive symposium where professional ergonomists, certified as well as non-certified, were invited to share their experiences, views and visions. This Forum has gathered more then 70 european ergonomists form all Europe.
The Forum was structured along three topics (each being devoted an half a day discussion).
Friday afternoon Topic 1 : Marketing the profession
Saturday morning Topic 2 : Factors in successful ergonomic interventions
Saturday afternoon Topic 3 : Keeping up with new issues
The meeting working language was English, and simultaneous translation was provided in French.
A common structure for each topic :
· a keynote speech (30 min)
· 5 short interventions (5-6 slides each) by each panelist including the "rapporteur" (50 min)
· a 30 minutes coffee break and collection of the audience written questions meanwhile
· a general discussion moderated by the panel chair (60 min)
· synthesis and conclusions by the “rapporteur” (20 min)
Topic 1 : Marketing the profession
· How ergonomists and consultants develop strategies to meet the needs of theirs clients? (to be answered while taking into account that some professionals are managers of ergonomics program, others are company ergonomists, others private consultants working on their own)
· Three dimensions to be considered : ethics (code of conduct) and its practical implication when establishing contracts, the political dimension (i.e. our position when dealing with employers, when dealing with employees and when dealing with trade unions), and the regulatory influence (impact of European or national regulations) on the ergonomics practice
· Organization of the profession, association, professional trading union…
Key-note Jan Dul (NL)
CREE chair Margaret Graf (CH)
"Rapporteur" Kurt Landau (D)
Panel members : Jesus Villena (SP), Gigliana Orlandi (I), Pierre Lorent (B), Steve Chan (IRL)
Topic 2 : Factors in successful ergonomic interventions?
· Criteria for success (what is the added value brought about) from the different players viewpoints
· What is the difference between true ergonomist and “voodoo” ergonomist?
· User-centred or employer-centred design?
· How to interact, within the intervention, with other professionals (of related or non-related disciplines)?
Key-note François Daniellou (F)
CREE chair Dimitris Nathanael (GR)
"Rapporteur" John Wood (GB)
Panel members : Ricardo Carvalho (P), Johannes Springer (D), Pieter Rookmaaker (NL), Kristina Juvas (FIN)
Topic 3 : Keeping up with new issues
· CPD or ongoing education : respective roles of personal initiatives, educational institutions, and the CREE itself.
· Possible new issues, and linked to this topic “which areas will be growth areas in the professional life for the future”.
· Do we need ergonomics rather than ergonomists?
Key-note Francesco Novara (I)
CREE chair Robert Saunders (IRL)
"Rapporteur" Ken Eason (GB)
Panel members : Véronique Chapat (F), Hansjörg Huwiler (CH), Nicolas Marmaras (GR), Thomas Berns (S)