Identification of the Ergonomic Interventions Goals from the Viewpoint of Ergonomics Experts of Iran using Fuzzy Delphi Method

One of the most important elements of successful implementation and management an ergonomics program in an organization is to have suitable goals. In any industry, the goals of ergonomic interventions should be known and understood to determine their benefits. This study aimed to identify and determine the most important goals of ergonomic interventions from the perspective of experts of Iran in the industries using fuzzy Delphi method. In this qualitative study, which is carried out in 2016, the viewpoints of ergonomics experts of Iran were collected during the three-phase fuzzy Delphi through a series of questionnaires. The data was analyzed using content analysis and fuzzy logic. The ergonomics experts have identified eight criteria as the goals of ergonomic interventions which include increasing employee productivity, reducing staff fatigue, promoting physical health, increasing safety, enhancing job satisfaction, improving the quality of products or services, reducing compensation costs and increasing immaterial value and reputation of organizations. The first five criteria with an average of more than 70% agreement have been reached a consensus by the experts. "Increasing productivity", "reducing fatigue" and "improving physical health" are the most important goals of ergonomic interventions considered as ergonomic criteria to evaluate an ergonomics program. The viewpoints of the Iranian ergonomics experts had a lot in common and were really close to the global approach based on International Ergonomics Association definition of ergonomics and human factors.