About CIEHF

The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) was established in 1949 as the Ergonomics Research Society (later to become the Ergonomics Society). We achieved Chartered status in 2015.  We are an international organisation for professionals dedicated to designing systems of work which optimise human well-being and overall system performance. Our membership is now just over 1500, of which around 500 are registered Members and Fellows. Our members are active in all sectors of industry, in the widest sense and may become involved in all aspects of work design. These include risk assessments and recommendations for safe practice, particularly in relation to the safety-critical industries, environmental stressors and expected human behaviour.

The two most prevalent reasons for absence from work in the UK – musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) and psycho-social disorders (stress, anxiety etc) are the cornerstones of ergonomics / human factors.  Designing workplaces to anticipate and, therefore eliminate or, at least, reduce, these problems are a fundamental activity for ergonomists.