Ergonomics can basically be understood as the study of adapting machines, furniture, and utensils to the people who regularly use them, in order to achieve greater comfort and efficiency. However, it has more dimensions in work systems that even involve the hospital world. At this complex level, a Colombian professor has just received a distinction from the world’s largest scientific association in ergonomics and human factors.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) awarded Professor Yordan Rodriguez, from the National School of Public Health, the Hal W. Hendrick Distinguished International Colleague Award 2026 for his outstanding contributions and global impact on the development of this discipline.
This organization, founded in 1957, brings together more than 3,000 professionals and researchers from 58 countries. Since 1967, it has presented this award to non-U.S. experts who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of ergonomics and human factors. This is the first time the distinction has been awarded to a Colombian professor.
Hospital Ergonomic Integration Model
With this designation, Rodriguez, an academic at the University of Antioquia (UDEA), becomes part of a select group of world-renowned experts. The recognition granted by HFES has particular significance for Rodriguez because it bears the name of Hal W. Hendrick, considered the father of macroergonomics.
This approach proposes that the prevention of errors and injuries cannot be limited to intervening in isolated elements, such as a machine, a desk, or a tool, but instead suggests analyzing and designing the entire organizational system, including aspects related to management, institutional policies, organizational culture, and work dynamics, UDEA explains in a statement.
Inspired by this perspective, Rodriguez developed a model that makes it possible to assess the level of integration of ergonomics within organizations and guide continuous improvement processes.
Among his main contributions is the development, together with British researcher Sue Hignett, of a hospital ergonomic integration model that received international recognition for its ability to incorporate the principles of ergonomics into the institutional management of health services.
This is important because millions of people enter hospitals every day, trusting that they will receive safe care. However, according to the World Health Organization, one in ten patients experiences some type of harm while receiving health services, and more than 50% of these events could be prevented.
Protecting People’s Health
At the same time, millions of other workers face risks that lead to musculoskeletal injuries, one of the main causes of occupational illness in numerous countries, including Colombia.
Although both scenarios appear different, they share a common root: the way work systems are designed. The layout of spaces, the organization of shifts, processes, technologies, and institutional culture can either contribute to or reduce the occurrence of errors, accidents, and illnesses.
Understanding this relationship and transforming it to protect people’s health has been the focus of Rodriguez’s scientific career. “Most errors in a hospital do not occur because someone is careless, but because the system makes it easy to make mistakes. Ergonomics seeks to design that system so that doing the right thing is the easiest option,” Rodriguez explained, as quoted in a UDEA statement.
His work is particularly relevant in Latin America, a region where patient safety continues to be a challenge. One of his most representative studies is the Ibeas project, which evaluated hospitals in five Latin American countries, including Colombia, and found that 10.5% of hospitalized patients suffered adverse events during their care, and that 58.6% of those incidents could have been prevented.
Based on this evidence, Rodriguez has promoted strategies aimed at redesigning hospital systems to reduce risks and strengthen the quality of care. In the field of occupational health, he has also developed tools designed to prevent work-related illnesses associated with working conditions.
Tool for Assessing Workplaces
Among the most frequent problems are musculoskeletal disorders, a category that includes conditions such as lower back pain, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
To facilitate the early identification of these risks, the researcher created the Erin method, a tool designed to enable people without specialized training in ergonomics to assess their workplaces and detect factors that could affect musculoskeletal health.
The innovation and practical usefulness of this instrument earned him the National Award from the Cuban Academy of Sciences. In addition to his scientific output, Rodriguez founded and directed UDEA’s Specialization in Ergonomics program, which graduated 81 specialists between 2018 and 2025.
The distinction granted by HFES represents international recognition of his research work and his contribution to the creation of safer work and healthcare environments. It also demonstrates Latin America’s growing prominence in generating knowledge in ergonomics and human factors, which are highly relevant to public health and people’s quality of life.
“Receiving an award that bears the name of Hal Hendrick has special significance for me,” the professor said, according to the statement. “His vision of designing the entire work system has shaped the way I understand and practice ergonomics. I share this recognition with my students, colleagues, and collaborators who have been part of this journey.”
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