ISO 10075-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10075-1:2017 — Ergonomic principles related to mental workload — Part 1: General issues and concepts, terms and definitions. This part defines terminology and conceptual relationships for mental workload, mental stress and mental strain, and describes short- and long-term, positive and negative consequences of mental strain to promote common usage of terms across ergonomics and related fields.

Abstract

ISO 10075-1:2017 provides standardized terms and conceptual definitions in the domain of mental workload. It treats "mental workload" as an umbrella reference to related concepts (mental stress, mental strain and effects) rather than as a single technical measurement term, clarifies relationships between causes and effects, and includes explanatory material (Annex A). The document is intended to support design of working conditions but does not specify measurement methods or task-design principles (these are covered in Parts 2 and 3).

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in systematic review 6 January 2023)
• Publication date: 2017-09 (published 15 September 2017)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.180 (Ergonomics); 01.040.13 (Environment. Health protection. Safety — Vocabularies)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017)
• Number of pages: 9 (official ISO publication)

Scope

This part of ISO 10075 defines and clarifies the core concepts and terminology used when discussing mental workload, mental stress and mental strain in the context of work and ergonomics. It applies to the design of working conditions where mental workload is a consideration and aims to harmonize language between researchers, practitioners and managers. It explicitly excludes measurement methods and detailed task-design principles, which are addressed in ISO 10075-2 and ISO 10075-3.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized definitions for: mental workload, mental stress, mental strain and related constructs.
• Explanation of short-term and long-term effects of mental strain, including positive and negative consequences.
• Specification of relationships among causes (stressors), mental strain and outcomes (effects on performance, health, well‑being).
• Guidance to support consistent terminology use across ergonomics practice and research.
• Annex providing additional explanations and clarifying examples for terms and concepts.
• Statement that measurement methods and task-design guidance are out of scope (see Parts 2 and 3).

Typical use and users

Used by ergonomists, human factors specialists, occupational health and safety professionals, workplace designers, organizational psychologists, academic researchers and standards developers. Typical applications include specification of terms in reports, alignment of multidisciplinary teams on concepts related to mental workload, and as a reference when developing measurement protocols or organizational interventions (in combination with Parts 2 and 3).

Related standards

ISO 10075 is a multipart series. ISO 10075-2 and ISO 10075-3 cover measurement methods and principles of task design respectively. ISO 10075-1:2017 replaced ISO 10075:1991. Regional/adopted versions exist (for example EN ISO 10075-1:2017 / national adoptions) that reflect the same content with national forewords or bibliographic differences.

Keywords

mental workload; mental stress; mental strain; ergonomics; human factors; terminology; working conditions; occupational health; definitions; ISO 10075

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10075-1:2017 is the first part of the ISO standard on ergonomic principles related to mental workload; it provides general issues, concepts, terms and definitions used in the field.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions and conceptual relationships for mental workload, mental stress and mental strain, and explains short- and long-term consequences; it does not provide measurement methods or task-design prescriptions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Ergonomists, human factors professionals, occupational health and safety specialists, workplace and process designers, researchers and standards developers use it as a terminology and concept reference.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10075-1:2017 is current. It replaced ISO 10075:1991 and was reviewed and confirmed as current on 6 January 2023.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 10075 is a multipart standard. Part 1 (this document) covers terminology and concepts; ISO 10075-2 and ISO 10075-3 address measurement methods and task-design principles, respectively.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Mental workload, mental stress, mental strain, ergonomics, human factors, terminology, working conditions.