User-Equipment Interface
This interface involves all interactions between the user and the equipment that they use to perform a given task, whether this task involves flying an aeroplane or using a toothbrush. For the task to be performed effectively, users must receive information from the equipment in a format that they can recognise and understand (the information reception stage). Following this, the user must be able to make sense of the information and reach an appropriate decision (the decision stage). To complete the cycle the user must be able to perform the desired action (the action stage). This process, which occurs in all forms of activity, is illustrated in Figure 2.

We can apply the ideas illustrated in Figure 2 to a pianist in an orchestra. The piano player reads the printed sheets of music, recognises the written notes, and then operates the piano keyboard and the foot pedals. The pianist gets continuous feedback from the sounds produced by the piano.

User-Workspace Interface
Extending out from the equipment is the interface between users and the workspace they operate in. Interactions of this type involve objects which are secondary to the task being performed, as well as the layout and design of the surrounding space. For our pianist this will involve their seat, music stand, the space in which the instrument is played.

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User-Environment Interface
All tasks take place in an environment which contains physical characteristics of light, noise, vibration, and temperature. These physical characteristics will have an effect on how the user performs their task. For example, people who use computers may find it hard to read the screen if bright areas (such as windows or lamps) are reflected in the screen. Similarly, if you work in a noisy environment it may be difficult for you to hear other people speaking. This can lead to misunderstandings and other errors.

User-Organisation Interface
Aside from the physical environment there are a number of organisational factors which may impact on the user. A pianist will be affected by their hours of work, rest pauses during work, the pay they receive, and other employment policies which apply to the orchestra.
Although there is much more to ergonomics than shown in Figure 1, this diagram provides a useful framework for understanding the basics of an ergonomic approach. This framework can be put to use in the design, evaluation and assessment of workplaces. It can be used in conjunction with the following questions.

-Do the characteristics of the task(s), equipment, workspace, environment, organisation match the characteristics of the user(s)?

- What changes may be necessary to get a better fit?

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