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Shift work can be seen as one of the many factors and conditions associated with the health, safety, and wellbeing of industrial workers. Social, cultural and emotional quality also deserves our attention on human aspects of shift work, because it concerns individuals’ physiology, psychology, genetic and family heritage, social and cultural traits, life style, and circadian rhythms. It is more likely to become apparent that intervening and local factors are related with human aspects of shift work that should be carefully considered in order to improve individuals’ performance, tolerance, familiarity with different shift schedule, family and social lives, as well as to control work‐related difficulties. To address this concern, this paper describes some intervening factors involved with human aspects of shift work in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh, with the aim of identifying local factors and situations in making shift work safe, healthier and productive.

The rapid spread of industrialisation means that for many developing countries economic performance is sometimes regarded as such a high priority that work‐related injuries, accidents and occupational diseases are tolerated. In such countries there will be little education and training relating to ergonomics or industrial health and safety. Well‐meaning external agencies often fail to target promotional activity and training at the appropriate level or within the local cultural framework. This paper discusses reasons for this, and suggests models for co‐operative development which can ensure that social development and improved working practices go hand in hand with economic development.

Examines the nature of the evolving practice of ergonomics and its aspirations to the status of profession. Identifies some of the confusions and tensions that prevent more coherent development and clear promotion of ergonomics.

Explores possible effects of work related problems and fatigue on shift workers’ attitude, aptitude and job satisfaction. Uses a simple case study to explore views identified from a literature review. Data were collected from subjective responses using questionnaires among adult male subjects working on a weekly rotating three‐shift system in a shoe factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results indicate that this particular form of shift work is seen as disruptive to family, conjugal and social life; it curtails leisure activities, affects sleep and causes health problems.

Advances in technology result in changes to working methods and patterns. These are compounded by the need to be competitive in a global economy. Particular changes are seen in many developing countries which are attempting to compete with the more sophisticated and advanced nations. Workers in such countries may find it difficult to adapt to the new working regimes. Currently, there is little information available in the literature that supports the effective design of shift schedules, which offer effective productivity levels, while maintaining the health and safety of shift workers and offering them appropriate levels of job satisfaction. Incorporates a multidimensional approach to addressing this issue and makes recommendations designed to improve the wellbeing of shift workers through a consideration of the effects of shift work on work attitudes, job satisfaction and family/social life, while recognising that any approach to change must be consistent with the local economic and competitive environment.

Studies of worker heat stress and strain in various countries have found that heat exposure is often likely to exceed the upper threshold limit of international standards. Heat strain data such as oral temperature, recovery heart rate, average heart rate and other work‐related information were investigated to study the impact of strenuous tasks in a hot climate. The study attempted to establish relationships between exposure to heat and heat strain data which could be used as the basis of ergonomic intervention and low‐cost solutions to the avoidance or mitigation of occupational risks.

Identifies religious and cultural factors affecting attitudes towards, and behaviours of, female workers in Bangladesh. Discusses the role of government, non‐governmental organisations and the private sector in moving beyond this history and tradition to a state where female workers are accorded equal rights with regard to education, health, employment prospects and an acknowledgement of their role in society.

The growing global market means that new technologies, and even new industries, are constantly being introduced to new geographic areas. Often, these new areas have different backgrounds, languages and cultures than the area from which the technology is imported. This can give rise to tensions, which can result in strong resistance to the introduction of the technology at one level, or simply less than optimal operation of the technology at another. In order to avoid such problems, it is important to understand the environment in which the technology must operate, and to ensure that its introduction is carried out with a sensitivity to local cultural values. This paper explores these socio‐technical factors, and describes how the application of ergonomics, in its broadest sense, can be used to identify and remove barriers to successful technology transfer.