Human-Centered Ergonomics for Sustainable Work and Occupational Health

The field of occupational health and safety plays a fundamental role in protecting workers’ health, fostering their well-being, and supporting sustainable labor practices worldwide. With demographic changes, persistent global inequalities, and rapid transformations in workplace structures, new challenges are emerging in maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable work environments. Ergonomics and human factors (E&HF) have historically focused on preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), but their relevance is expanding to include adaptability, inclusion, and sustaining work through social and environmental changes. Although recent studies highlight the capacity of human-centered design to bolster employability, foster equity, and improve long-term health outcomes, there remains a significant gap between the integration of E&HF strategies in occupational policies and actual workplace implementation, especially across diverse sectors and regions.

Current research underscores that while sustainable work practices and ergonomic principles are gaining recognition, many organizations and policies continue to emphasize immediate productivity at the expense of workers' long-term well-being and capacity. Empirical evidence demonstrates positive outcomes when ergonomic design and systemic, participatory approaches are employed, contributing to both physical and mental health and supporting aging and inclusion in the workforce. These findings suggest a strong imperative for occupational health frameworks to incorporate E&HF as core pillars. However, debates continue regarding the most effective methods for universal application, the challenges of adapting interventions to diverse occupational and cultural contexts, and the measurement of sustainability outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to deepen the collective understanding of how E&HF can drive work sustainability and occupational well-being. This collection will address the pressing need for integrative, human-centered approaches that enable organizations to redefine productivity, embrace diversity, and adapt dynamically to evolving work environments.

To gather further insights in the intersection of E&HF and sustainable work, contributions exploring research that considers the boundaries of occupational health, equitable inclusion, systemically driven organizational change, SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) will be considered. Articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes will be welcomed:

o Sustainable work design and ergonomic practices.
o Work ability and the dynamics of an aging workforce.
o Strategies for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD).
o Organizational ergonomics and psychosocial health.
o Inclusive and equitable work environments for diverse populations.
o Participatory and systemic approaches to occupational health.
o Working time design, shift work, recovery protocols, and sleep health.
o Advancing and promoting workplace well-being through human-centered,ergonomic design.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: ergonomics, human factors, E&HF, sustainable work, occupational health, WMSD

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.