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CH2013 Introduction to Technology, Work and Health 7.5 credits

The course gives an introduction to how work-related factors effect health, and how ergonomists and work environment engineers work to improve work environments, especially in the field of biomechanical exposures in the workplace.

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Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Application

For course offering

Autumn 2024 Start 26 Aug 2024 programme students

Application code

50951

Headings with content from the Course syllabus CH2013 (Autumn 2024–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

·       Ergonomics and HTO models, including systems thinking. 

·       Systematic work environment management, including legal framework of provisions, inspections, and standards. 

·       Ergonomics design principles, for example, Participatory Ergonomics, Hierarchy of Controls (i.e. prevention strategies), and Anthropometry. 

·       Workplace hazards, including risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. 

·       RAMP I – a basic risk assessment of musculoskeletal loading hazards in the workplace. 

·       Sustainability Goals including equality in health and key competencies for sustainability. 

·       Professional skills and ethicswithin occupational health and safety.

Intended learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the scope of ergonomics practice and how to improve the work environment. The course includes a survey of theoretical frameworks, methods, and models used in the domain, with a more detailed study of musculoskeletal loading in the workplace. 
On successful completion of this course each student should be able to:

1. Reflect on and exemplify interactions between work and health using a systems (human, technological and organizational, HTO) perspective.

2. Describe and reflect on laws, regulations, and standards in the subject area, and how they are used by ergonomists and work environment engineers to promote systematic work environment management. 

3. Exemplify and describe different types of health hazards in the workplace and how these hazards may affect workers’ health and performance.

4. Recognize musculoskeletal loading hazards in the workplace and be able to perform basic risk assessments.  

5. Discuss and reflect on professional skills in the field of occupational safety and health, including project management, professional ethics, and collaboration competencies.

6. Reflect on how healthy and sustainable work environments contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainability Goals.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

180 ECTS credits in technical, natural or medical sciences or in human resource studies. English B/English 6.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • PRJ1 - Project work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • SEM1 - Seminars, 4.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Learning goal 1-2 and goal 5 is examined in SEM1.Learning goal 3-5 is examined in LAB1 and in PRJ1.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Technology and Health

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Malin Håkansson (malinhak@kth.se)