Expanding ergonomic activities in Sri Lanka –an industrially-developing country

Senanayake, Sameera; Kapila, Jayaratne

الوقاية والأرغنوميا
Volume 9, Numéro 1, Pages 23-30
2015-12-01

Expanding Ergonomic Activities In Sri Lanka –an Industrially-developing Country

Authors : Senanayake Sameera . Kapila Jayaratne .

Abstract

Sri Lanka is among many developing countries that have a considerable number of industries and a large number of workers working in various occupational settings. Ergonomics is an evolving specialty all over the world. Since the discipline of industrial hygiene is still not recognized in Sri Lanka and, the occupational health and safety legislation is not well developed in the country it is a common belief that majority of these workers are exposed to many ergonomic hazards. It is believed that a health-led concerted effort is essential considering the significance and applicability of ergonomics to healthcare professionals in Sri Lankan contexts. The Expert Committee on Ergonomics of Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA –ECE) was established with the objective of promoting ergonomics in medical community, general public and in healthcare settings. Over this short span SLMA-ECE has been able to initiate series of activities in order to meet its objectives. These activities, in reality, benefited not the SLMA-ECE but also the country in broader terms. As a result, it will contribute towards the advancement of the discipline of ergonomics in the country and also ergonomic applications in uplifting the national development. Sri Lanka’s experience on ergonomics as a developing nation will be a role model for other countries with similar backgrounds.