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While interest in online and blended learning has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning courses have been available for several decades. This paper provides a reflective review of the Ergonomics and Human Factors distance learning courses offered by the University of Nottingham. Some of the successes of these courses include the adoption of new collaboration technologies and the high quality practical work conducted in the students’ own workplaces. Challenges remain around maintaining student engagement, managing the impact of students’ other responsibilities on their learning, and parity of the student experience. Opportunities exist for blended learning and adopting additional technologies such as immersive virtual learning environments.

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms (WRMS) and associated work system factors impacting laparoscopic surgery in Peruvian Hospitals. Methods: An online survey with 17 questions was sent to 320 laparoscopic surgeons in different hospitals in Peru. The survey was distributed by email and paper format and consisted of six sections: informed consent, demographic data, physical symptoms, working conditions, impact on surgeons and others. Descriptive data were presented in tables and figures while associations were established using chi-square and fisher´s exact tests with a significance of 0.05. Results: 140 surgeons responded to the survey. Most surgeons worked more than 5 years (57%) and belong to the age group 30–60 years (87%). The prevalence rate of WRMS in survey respondents was 89%, with targeted WRMS identified in the following body regions: shoulders (59%), neck (51%), hand/wrist (41%) and upper back (43%). Duration and complexity of surgeries (nature of tasks) and inadequate table height (technology) were considered as highly contributing factors to WRMS by more than 50% of surgeons surveyed. 40% of surgeons considered the lack of suitable equipment and inadequate training as a highly contributed factor to WRMS. Conclusion: The study determined a high rate of WRMS, especially in the upper body region. These WRMS were associated with several work factors mainly related to inadequate operating table height, duration and complexity of surgeries, lack of suitable equipment and training.

This paper focuses on an interview and observational study of two major change programmes, designed to transform workforce safety across Great Britain’s railways. The implications of the pace of change and the challenges of user-influenced design are considered in the context of a railway system where there are rapidly evolving technologies and need to consider the impact of co-operative work systems and the skills workers will need to engage with them. The study shows how things have changed over time since the programmes were first introduced, identifying the factors that have influenced this, such as a focus on a continuous improvement culture. Further research directions are proposed, including the need to identify the tools to help predict how future interventions in the change programmes might manifest themselves, e.g. the effects of new technology introduction, or factors outside of the organisation’s control such as Government policy change.

Network Rail is a large rail engineering company sitting within a complex industrial landscape. That said, Britain’s railways are the safest they have ever been. However, it is acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in safety and operational performance, and technological transformation is needed to meet the huge increase in passenger demand.

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