Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design. 8 modules covering ISO 5349-1 (hand-arm vibration), ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration) and Siemens Jack / Process Simulate Human. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design — studying from New Zealand
Health engineering in New Zealand covers medical devices, biomechanics, rehabilitation technology and occupational safety, with significant activity in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Medsafe regulator within the Ministry of Health oversees medical device approval, and the Accident Compensation Corporation plays a central role in workplace injury prevention and safety. Biomechanics research is supported by university groups and by the country's strong sports science community.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,770 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Will this qualification be recognised by Engineering New Zealand in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers here and runs the Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) pathway. SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition for any purpose is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check with them before relying on it for registration.
Would a biomechanics or wearables background help me find work in New Zealand?
Interest in wearables and workplace safety exists across New Zealand's health technology, rehabilitation, sport science and occupational health sectors. Whether an employer values a SEIUM qualifications depends on the employer's own assessment of your skills and experience. A portfolio of applied projects is often what carries the most weight in hiring decisions.
Can I study this while working full time in New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere, including from home, and you do not need a student visa for that. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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 occupational biomechanics to workstation design.
Assess ergonomic risks using standardised methods.
Design hand tools that reduce musculoskeletal load.
Measure and reduce hand-arm vibration exposure.
Design operator cabins with visibility and comfort criteria.
Arrange controls and interfaces according to reach and comfort zones.
Validate low-impact prototypes with real users.
Who it's for
- Product ergonomics engineer looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Hand tool designer looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Machinery cabin designer looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Higher technician in prevention (ergonomics) looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Human factors engineer looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Vibration engineer looking to specialise in Low-Impact Cabin and Tool Design.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the agricultural and public works machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 5349-1 (hand-arm vibration)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration)
- Real Decreto 1311/2005 (exposure to vibration)
- ISO 11228-3 (handling of light loads at high frequency)
- EN 1005-4 (postures and movements when working with machinery)
- ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in the design of work systems)
- ISO 6682 (earth-moving machinery, comfort zones for controls)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Loads on the lumbar spine1.2Upper limb musculoskeletal disorders1.3Forced and static postures1.4Force, repetition and duration1.5Hand-arm and whole-body vibration1.62D and 3D biomechanical models1.7Muscle fatigue1.8Psychosocial factors1.9Epidemiology of occupational injuries1.10Practice: estimating lumbar load in a task
2.1NIOSH lifting equation2.2RULA and REBA methods2.3OCRA for repetitive movements2.4ISO 11228 standard2.5EN 1005 on physical performance2.6Push and pull force assessment2.7Posture capture tools2.8Field electromyography2.9Prioritising workstations2.10Workshop: REBA assessment of an assembly station
3.1Grips and handle diameter3.2Handle angle and neutral wrist3.3Trigger forces3.4Weight and centre of gravity3.5Materials and friction3.6Tools for left-handed users and diversity3.7Reduction of reaction torque3.8Low-impact tools3.9User trials3.10Laboratory: comparing grips with dynamometry
4.1Measurement according to ISO 53494.2A(8) value and limits of Directive 2002/44/EC4.3Hand-arm vibration syndrome4.4Anti-vibration tools4.5ISO 10819 anti-vibration gloves4.6Manufacturer's emission declaration4.7Suspensions and damping4.8Management of exposure time4.9Health surveillance programmes4.10Practice: calculating daily vibration exposure
5.1Anthropometry for cabins5.2Accessibility and entry5.3Seat design and suspension5.4Control reach ISO 66825.5Visibility ISO 50065.6Cabin noise5.7Climate control and air quality5.8Whole-body vibration ISO 26315.9ROPS and FOPS protection5.10Case study: construction machinery cabin
6.1Stimulus-response compatibility6.2Joysticks and multifunction controls6.3Displays and visualisation in the cabin6.4Visual fatigue and glare6.5Interaction with touch controls6.6Haptic feedback6.7Standardisation of controls6.8Operating errors6.9Workload assessment6.10Workshop: control layout on a console
7.1Digital human models and DHM software7.2Simulation of reach and postures7.3Physical prototypes and mock-ups7.4Operator trials7.5Objective and subjective measures7.6Ergonomic cost-benefit analysis7.7Machinery regulation 2023/12307.8Documentation and marking7.9Continuous improvement7.10Practice: simulation with a digital mannequin
8.1Analysis of the current workstation8.2Ergonomic assessment8.3Tool proposal8.4Cabin or workstation design8.5Digital simulation8.6Prototype and testing8.7Cost-benefit analysis8.8Implementation plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 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 enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens Jack / Process Simulate Human, RAMSIS, CATIA V5, SolidWorks, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real vibration measurement procedures for portable tools, ergonomic assessment of workstations with digital mannequins, and cabin prototypes with users. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Apply occupational biomechanics to workstation design.
Assess ergonomic risks using standardised methods.
Design hand tools that reduce musculoskeletal load.
Measure and reduce hand-arm vibration exposure.
Design operator cabins with visibility and comfort criteria.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English to follow technical standards reading.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Siemens Jack / Process Simulate Human, RAMSIS, CATIA V5, SolidWorks, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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