This study investigated the problems caused by physicalism/cognitivism in ergonomics and work safety. Physicalism is the ontological thesis that everything is physical. The key point of the discussion is that the "workers as machines" metaphor is not merely an isolated belief in ergonomics practices in Brazil. Rather, it is a massive experiential structuring that involves values, interests, goals, practices and theorizing. This is a serious problem, because physicalism/cognitivism has already been implicated as a cause of work accidents and occupational diseases.
Physicalism; Ergonomics; Work safety