**1. Introduction**

Ergonomic Design Thinking (EDT) was originally conceived as a project management model used for both organizational design and project management. Thus, it must be understood as an effective tool for project management optimization in general applications, not only design projects. The main idea is the general concept that makes possible the application of creative reasoning and intensive end-user participation in the course of project management just like designers do when solving problems in their during the creative work process. Conventional planning and decision making methods flow in a linear manner, way different from creative thinking. "HSE," short for health safety and environmental management is a fairly new–and crucial–area in operations management [1], especially for those organizations that fall in the category of complex systems, which require a 360° approach to operations management. HSE decision analysis in such environments is definitely a challenge, since prioritizing becomes difficult due to multiple criteria to assess, risks to ponder and level of severity in terms of collective impact and workstation evaluation.

This chapter outlines the general model for carrying out HSE project management approaches in the workplace. In practical terms, it adds up to existing management systems that are designed to comply with industry and government standards. In order to contextualize the theoretical framework, a case study is employed as a guide for the implementation of a specific HSE Management system for the construction industry. In order to achieve that, the work team used a set of strategies set forth by the EDT modeling, as proposed by Santos and Soares [2]. The choice of this industry segment is due to the fact this particular sector is known by the lack of qualification of its workers. As a consequence, it is acknowledged worldwide as a low performance sector in terms of controlling its operational and environmental risks and hazards.

The EDT approach used in the course of the process being described in here was carried out to help the consolidation of a HSE management system for building construction sites. Thus, the complex nature of the work process is dictated not by its operational characteristics or the usual determinants of larger complex systems (i.e., oil refineries, nuclear power plants, medical emergency rooms, construction sites), but because of the difficulties posed by management issues, such as control and enforcement of safety and health practices in this type of work. The building and construction industry struggles to set up and maintain effective action plans and indicators when it comes to health safety and environmental processes, commonly referred to as HSE. In fact, its workers ranks the second most exposed to work accidents of all industrial segments in Brazil [3], just behind the transportation sector.

The consequence of poor control and management of HSE in construction sites leads to a series of problems ranging from plain inconvenience of mishandling or misinterpretation of data to more serious ones such as poor HSE plans and management systems. The end result of this is converted into an unpleasant workplace, health and safety issues and all sorts of environmental problems. Without the continuous optimization of HSE processes, it becomes virtually impossible to positively improve the work conditions for the workers and all those directly or indirectly affected by the outcomes of bad planning, poor management and actual operational actions. The EDT methodology provides the "real work element" for such continuous improvement since it is more palatable and credible for containing and merging the expectations of the workers with the needs of the productive process.
