Ergonomic issues arising from the `Next Manufacturing Revolution'

The paper outlines briefly the contents of the government-sponsored document, ‘The Next Manufacturing Revolution’, with its emphasis on practices appropriate to the demands for sustainability required by population growth and emissions control, and then explores some of the implications of the contents for the practice of ergonomics, particularly in relation to job design. It is clear that there are some significant extensions required to the knowledge classes, processes and practices of ergonomists; there are also some implications for the Institute’s role as a source of advice.