NR RT/E/P/24020 ISSUE 2 PDF

This specification deals with equipment/systems where there is a direct human interface and presents mandatory requirements. A supplementary document [2] has been created which provides supporting guidance to aid in the application of this specification. When applicable a reference to an appropriate section within this supplementary document is provided against the requirement concerned.

The primary aim of the document is to provide input into human-system interface design (e.g. environment, control interfaces, management and organisations and welfare) however, the information may still be applicable to projects where there is a significant user involvement. Additionally, those projects where ergonomic requirements are already in place through company standards (e.g. signalling design) will find the standard complementary, providing clarification on a systematic and auditable design process should the current ergonomic guidelines contained within those standards be breached.

Every effort has been made to align the phases of ergonomic work detailed in the document with the Guide for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP). In particular Guidance Note 1 provides details of expected ergonomic milestones and outputs for each stage of the GRIP lifecycle.

This specification defines a formal process to incorporate ergonomics into projects. It provides an auditable trail of applicable ergonomic techniques and documents that support and contribute to the design process. This specification can be applied by ergonomists and non-ergonomists. However, the application of some of the methods and approaches described will require certain levels of ergonomic expertise.

Purpose

The purpose of this Network Rail Company Specification is to ensure that ‘user issues' are considered in a systematic way throughout the design lifecycle of a range of projects including the replacement, upgrade and design of new systems; through the correct and timely application of appropriate ergonomic techniques and practices.

It is acknowledged that a number of projects do make use of ergonomics throughout the design lifecycle and application of this specification should enable those projects to ensure they receive the appropriate level of ergonomic input and skills at the appropriate project stage. However, many projects do not make effective use of ergonomics and this can prove costly in the long run; a number of major projects have had commissioning deferred or have required a number of late design changes to be incorporated in order to achieve an operationally viable solution that satisfies the regulators, approval authorities and end users. This specification will ensure that those projects are aware of the value and application of ergonomic techniques, skills and processes to ensure that they can make more efficient and effective use of them.

The specification identifies the activities that take place at each stage in a generic design lifecycle structured to reflect a human-centred design process, as presented in ISO Standard TR/18529 [1]. At each of the process stages the ergonomic studies and activities, which should be undertaken are presented. Requirements specifying how these can be integrated within the design process are provided. The information provided should result in effective utilisation of expertise at the correct phase within a design lifecycle, allowing more effective management of staff and resources to the benefit of Network Rail projects.

The terms Ergonomics and Human Factors can be and often are used interchangeably. It is worth noting at this stage that Ergonomics and Human Factors are synonymous in both their definition and scope of research, analysis and solutions. Throughout this specification the term Ergonomics will be used.