The impetus for professional ergonomist certification was sparked off by a few executive members of HFEM, as well as a few other HFEM members who echoed a strong need for a professional ergonomist certification in Malaysia. It has been a long, 7 years since the establishment of the society and we are slowly, but surely gaining strength in numbers and recognition from various local and international agencies. As the numbers of practicing ergonomists grew in Malaysia the need for a Malaysian professional ergonomist certification became very significant.
Various professional bodies in Malaysia such as Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), the Bar Council, Malaysian Medical Association have long been established in Malaysia, and they serve the vital function of ensuring the integrity of their respective professions. Doctors, engineers and lawyers are widely known to the Malaysian public as very respectable professions due to their nature of work. Therefore, both the public and the authorities require that those professions should be regulated to protect the welfare of the public and to ensure the highest standards of practice.
In a developing country like Malaysia, there is a growing recognition of the field of ergonomics and human factors. Both the authorities and the industry have steadily increased their demand for ergonomic and human factors services from practicing ergonomists. A professional ergonomist certification in Malaysia will require a certain level of standards to be met in terms of training and experience.
A certification committee has been set up in HFEM comprising of academicians, industrial practitioners and representatives from the relevant authoritative bodies in Malaysia such as Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and NIOSH Malaysia. Various certification models have been reviewed from USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand among the committee members. The certification committee expects a finalized certification model to be ready by the end of this year, to be endorsed by the International Ergonomics Association. Till then, we hope that all members will be ready to apply for the certification once the process is completed.
Author:
MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ SYED MOHAMED
Vice President
HFEM
