The design of control rooms, plant and equipment can have a large impact on human performance.

Further guidance

• Human factors integration: Implementation in the onshore and offshore industries. Research Report 001/2002. Gives an overview of best practice on how to build human factors into design.
• Ergonomic principles in the design of work systems, BS EN ISO 6385:2004. A work system is defined as 'a combination of people and equipment, within a given space and environment, and the interactions between these components with a work organisation' (p10)
• Ergonomic design of control centres, Parts 1-7, ISO 11064. Covers design principles, control room arrangements and layout, workstations, displays, controls, interactions, temperature, lighting, acoustics, ventilation, and evaluation. Designers should be following this standard for new control rooms, and it can usefully be referred to for upgrades and modifications to existing ones especially where there are known problems.
• Process plant control desks utilizing human-computer interface: a guide to design, operational and human interface issues. Engineering Equipment & Materials Users Association (EEMUA) Publication 201: 2002 available via EEMUA on 020 7628 7878 or sales@eemua.co.uk. A clear and practical guide for sites moving to DCS control and centralised control rooms.
• Identifying and eliminating ergonomic risks offshore: A resource pack