For successful ergonomics intervention the ergonomist should become a catalyst of change leading the expert role. Human Interactive Methods (HIM) are characterized by having the 'problem owners' become committed to actively dealing with the problems. HIM is part of a wider theoretical framework 'The Dramaturgy of Work Life' (DWL) in which Transfer of Knowledge becomes a key issue. The design process can be described as a play where different actors create different roles. The rules of the play have to be adapted to the language of the user. Otherwise it is inadequate to speak of Participative Ergonomics. Examples from industry, service, health care, education and culture enterprises illustrate the application of DWL and HIM.
There are several union schools in Sweden with training programs and courses for local union officers and safety representatives on negotiation techniques, agreements, rules and legislation, basic ergonomics, and working environment matters. Swedish universities arrange open courses on diverse topics, running for one or two terms on a part time basis, thereby making it possible to combine studying and working. There are five basic strategies of obstacles to balanced worker's participation, namely ingrained patterns hampering union representatives to act in a new role and employer's control of information, project demarcation, time, and planning language
An analysis of work processes and lighting conditions in Swedish foundries with a recommendation for improving the lighting for workers in manual casting is presented. Various operations in mold production, smelting, casting, and fettling are described and their visual demands are considered. Lighting conditions in four different foundries are analyzed and problems are identified. Tests of lighting conditions under which manual casting is performed are described. It is recommended that illumination for manual casting be raised from 300 to 800 lux to give better contrast (light source: 400-W mercury deluxe lamp). The luminaires should be floodlights with an asymmetric light distribution, with reflectors of anodized pure aluminum.