The Role of Forensic Organizational Ergonomics

Abstract

This article introduces forensic organizational ergonomics through the presentation of a case study of worker injury. It describes how a consultant expert in organizational ergonomics revealed systematic failures of management and design within an organization that ultimately exposed employees, contractors, visitors, and patients of a medical center to harmful chlorine gas. The case study demonstrates how forensic organizational ergonomics can bring meaning to and understanding of the role of human performance in modern complex technologies to those charged with decision making in litigation.