Technical Member - Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors

If you’re a specialist who undertakes ergonomics/human factors as a significant part of your work, you could become a Technical Member and get all the benefits of membership. For example, you may be a psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, a back care advisor, an engineer, a product designer, or a systems designer. Check the eligibility criteria below.

Work group people - Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors

Quick eligibility check

I carry out ergonomics/human factors as a significant part of my work (I may not call it that though).
I’ve done this for at least 200 days over a period of at least 2 years.
I have carried out at least 6 significant activities or projects during that time.
I have at least 5 documented examples of my work such as final reports.
I have detailed knowledge of at least 1 of these areas and some knowledge of at least 1 other:
Anatomy & physiology
The work environment
People & systems
Psychology
Methods & tools
I can find 2 referees, at least 1 of whom works outside my organisation, and at least 1 is a Registered Member or Fellow of the CIEHF (or equivalent in a related professional body).
I will abide by your code of professional conduct.

Key points

Your Portfolio of Work

You will need to compile a Portfolio of Work which is a key part of your application as it demonstrates to the assessors the ergonomics that you have undertaken over your minimum 2 year period of work.

Your portfolio is made up of a log book and supporting material. The log book should contain separate records of between 6 and 12 significant activities over the period.

There must be at least 200 days work undertaken during that period (part time ergonomics work is pro rata, e.g. 40 half days = 20 full days). If you have worked on a long term project you can break it down into smaller activities.

Each log book record should be 1-2 pages long and comprise:
a) a brief summary of the activity
b) details of the ergonomics involved
c) a description of the outputs from the work
d) details of how this work demonstrates your ergonomics approach

You need to support the log book by at least 5 documented examples of your work, for example the final reports from the work you described. These should show in detail the ergonomics/human factors work you undertook during that project.

Assessment of your application

Two suitably qualified members of the Institute’s Professional Affairs Board (PAB) will assess your application. They might ask you to submit additional information if there are any areas which need clarification.

In order for your application to have the best chance of success, make sure it contains enough information for the assessors to answer positively all the following questions:

– Have you completed the necessary two years professional experience?
– Have you demonstrated sufficient knowledge?
– Does your Portfolio of Work contain sufficient work to enable the assessment to be done?
– Have you demonstrated an ergonomics approach to your work?
– Are your referees’ reports adequate and supportive?

Questions you might have

What exactly are the knowledge areas?

Anatomy & Physiology, which includes:
- anatomy
- anthropometry
- physiology
- physiotherapy
- biomechanics
- physical capabilities
- postural and biomechanical loading
- physiological fatigue
- disorientation
- vestibular loading
- musculoskeletal disorders
- ageing
- sensory and motor disabilities
The Work Environment, which includes:
- sound and noise
- thermal environments
- visibility and lighting
- vibration
- acceleration and g-forces
- hyperbaric & hypobaric environments
- circadian rhythms
- physiological fatigue
- physiological stress
- audition
- vision
- other senses
People & Systems, which includes:
- human machine systems
- knowledge elicitation
- system design standards
- systems theory
- soft systems
- systems evaluation and validation
Psychology, which includes:
- behaviour and attitudes
- motivation
- vigilance
- mental fatigue
- decision making
- human reliability
- human error
- risk perception
- learning and skills acquisition
- mental workload
- mental modelling
- situation awareness
- psychometrics
- cognitive skills
- psychological stress
- global cultural variances
- safety cultures
- team work and groups
- communications
- group behaviour
- organisational behaviour
- organisational change
Methods & tools, which includes:
- experimental design
- statistics
- measurement techniques

How long will the assessment process take?

That depends on several things such as the quality and completeness of your application, and the speed with which we receive your referees reports. The assessors are all volunteers so must find time to assess your application, though they will endeavour to do this as quickly as possible. If all goes well, we hope to have your application processed within 6 weeks.

If my application is successful, what happens then?

Congratulate yourself! If your application is accepted, we will let you know straight away and you will be sent confirmation of the decision. You will also get a certificate and will be able to use the post-nominal Tech.CIEHF, as recognition of your professional status.

What if my application is rejected?

You will be given guidance as to the areas in which it was felt that your application was lacking, so that you get a chance to improve your application. We will help you all we can with this.

How much does it cost?

£121 for a year. That’s only just over £10 per month. There is also a one-off application and assessment fee of £60.

Now the Institute is Chartered, will I become a Chartered member?

No, you will need to upgrade to Registered Member first, as only Registered Members and Fellows are eligible for Chartered status.

How to apply

Create your Portfolio of Work

Download the template, complete your log book entries and gather your supporting documents.

Contact your referees

Download the referee report form and email each of your 2 referees a copy. Ask them to email it directly back to us (details are on the form).

Complete the application form

Click on Apply now to download the application form and follow the instructions it contains.

Pay the application fee

Once we have received your application, we will issue you with an invoice for the application fee, together with instructions on how to pay. Once you have paid the invoice, we can begin the assessment process.