Which discipline focuses on the design of workplace equipment for safety and efficiency?

The focus of ergonomics is to optimize the design of workplace equipment and environments to promote safety and efficiency for users. It involves understanding human capabilities and limitations, and applying that knowledge to create tools, workspaces, and systems that enhance comfort, performance, and productivity while reducing the risk of injury. By considering factors such as body mechanics, anthropometrics, and usability, ergonomics ensures that workplace settings are tailored to fit the needs of the individuals who interact with them.

Industrial design, while related, primarily emphasizes the aesthetic and functional aspects of products rather than the specific safety and efficiency considerations for the workplace. Workplace safety is a broader concept that encompasses regulations and practices aimed at preventing accidents but does not specifically address design elements. Human factors engineering is closely related to ergonomics, focusing on how humans interact with systems, but ergonomics specifically zeroes in on designing equipment and environments. Thus, ergonomics is the most appropriate discipline that emphasizes the design of workplace equipment for safety and efficiency.