Course in Ergonomics for Heavy Machinery
Online 300-hour course in ergonomics for heavy machinery. 6 modules covering ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in the design of work systems), ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration) and Jack (Siemens Tecnomatix). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ergonomics for Heavy Machinery — studying from New Zealand
Off-road and special vehicle engineering is a major strength in New Zealand, reflecting the importance of agriculture, forestry, mining and construction. Manufacturers and fabricators in the Waikato and Canterbury produce tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment and specialised machinery, many of which are exported worldwide. Engineers in this field work on design, testing and safety compliance for equipment used on farms, in plantations and on remote worksites.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies relate to off-road and specialist vehicle engineering?
Engineering New Zealand is the main professional body, and vehicle compliance is handled by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Heavy machinery and certain specialist vehicles can also fall under WorkSafe New Zealand rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers and regulators decide their value.
Who hires off-road and special vehicle engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include forestry and agricultural equipment firms, mining and civil construction contractors, fabrication shops, and emergency or utility vehicle fleets. Practical design, safety and maintenance skills are central to hiring. A SEIUM qualification may help, but its weight depends on the employer.
How does the study load work for someone with a job here?
The programme is fully online, so you can study around work from anywhere in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply ergonomic principles to the machinery operator's workstation.
Use anthropometric data in workstation design.
Assess exposure to vibration and noise in accordance with regulations.
Analyse the mental workload associated with automation.
Assess postures and auxiliary tasks using standardised methods.
Propose design and work organisation improvements.
Develop an ergonomic improvement programme for a fleet.
Who it's for
- Ergonomics technician wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Cab design engineer wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Occupational risk prevention technician wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Human factors engineer wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Operations safety manager wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Industrial hygienist wishing to specialise in Ergonomics in Heavy Machinery.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the mining sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in the design of work systems)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration)
- RD 1311/2005 (exposure to mechanical vibration)
- ISO 6682 (comfort zones and control reach)
- ISO 3411 (physical dimensions of operators)
- ISO 7096 (operator seat vibration)
- ISO 10075-1 (mental workload)
- RD 286/2006 (exposure to noise)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What ergonomics studies and what it contributes here1.2Physical load, mental load and environmental conditions1.3Musculoskeletal disorders in operators1.4Workstation factors that cause them1.5Applicable preventive regulatory framework1.6Technical ergonomics standards for machinery1.7Operator participation in the analysis1.8Accident and absenteeism data1.9Cost of a poorly designed workstation1.10Workshop: preliminary ergonomic analysis of a workstation
2.1Anthropometric variability of the user population2.2Percentiles and design criteria2.3Reach and comfort zones2.4Seat: adjustment, lumbar support and suspension2.5Steering wheel, lever and pedal position2.6Leg room and entry space2.7Cab access: steps and handholds2.8Visibility from the working position2.9Adapting the workstation for people with limitations2.10Practice: anthropometric verification of a workstation
3.1Whole-body vibration: measurement and effects3.2Hand-arm vibration on controls and tools3.3Suspended seats and workstation isolation3.4Noise: measurement and protection3.5Climate: temperature, humidity and draughts3.6Air quality and filtration3.7Lighting of the workstation and work area3.8Glare and reflections3.9Assessment of combined exposure3.10Practice: exposure measurement plan
4.1Sustained attention and monotony4.2Information presented to the operator and its excess4.3Display and alarm design4.4Automation and loss of skill4.5Supervision of automated systems4.6Interruptions and errors due to distraction4.7Fatigue and organisation of breaks4.8Training and interface learning curve4.9Assessment of mental workload4.10Practice: redesign of a workstation interface
5.1Awkward postures during operation5.2Trunk rotation and reversing work5.3Repeated cab entry and exit5.4Manual handling of loads during maintenance5.5Work in confined spaces on the machine5.6Hand tools and their design5.7Postural assessment methods5.8Prioritising the most critical tasks5.9Technical and organisational measures5.10Practice: postural assessment of a task
6.1Ergonomic diagnosis of a fleet6.2Prioritising interventions by impact6.3Measures when purchasing new machinery6.4Possible improvements to existing machines6.5Health surveillance and its coordination6.6Operator training in habits and adjustments6.7Programme outcome indicators6.8Worker and prevention service participation6.9Common mistakes in ergonomics programmes6.10Final project: ergonomics programme for a fleet
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Jack (Siemens Tecnomatix), RAMSIS, Ergo/IBV, Excel, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for measuring seat vibration, postural assessment using the REBA method, and comfort surveys of operators. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Apply ergonomic principles to the machinery operator's workstation.
Use anthropometric data in workstation design.
Assess exposure to vibration and noise in accordance with regulations.
Analyse the mental workload associated with automation.
Assess postures and auxiliary tasks using standardised methods.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow the reading of technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with Jack (Siemens Tecnomatix), RAMSIS, Ergo/IBV, Excel, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute own-award diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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