ISO 6385:2016确立了工效学的基本原则，作为工作系统设计的基本指南，并定义了相关的基本术语。它描述了一种工作系统设计的综合方法，其中，工效学家将与参与设计的其他人合作，在设计过程中以平衡的方式关注人、社会和技术需求。 本国际标准的用户将包括高管、经理、工人（以及他们的代表，如果合适的话）和专业人士，如参与工作系统设计或重新设计的工效学家、项目经理和设计师。使用本国际标准的人可以发现，人体工程学（人为因素）、工程、设计、质量和项目管理的一般知识很有帮助。 本国际标准中的“工作制度”一词用于表示各种工作环境，包括永久性和弹性工作场所。本国际标准旨在帮助改进、重新设计或变更工作系统。工作系统涉及给定空间和环境中工人和设备的组合，以及工作组织中这些组件之间的交互。工作系统的复杂性和特点各不相同，例如，临时工作系统的使用。以下是不同领域工作系统的一些示例: -生产，例如机器操作员和机器、工人和装配线； -交通工具，例如驾驶员、汽车或卡车、机场人员； -支持，例如维护技术人员和工作设备； -商务人员，例如带工作站的办公室工作人员、带平板电脑的移动工作人员、在餐厅厨房做饭； -其他领域，如医疗保健、教学和培训。 工效学原则的遵守适用于整个工作系统生命周期的所有阶段，从概念到开发、实现和实施、使用、维护和支持，再到退役。 本国际标准中的系统方法在现有和新情况下为本国际标准的用户提供指导。 本国际标准中规定的定义和人类工效学原则适用于与人体健康相关的最佳工作条件的设计- 安全和健康，包括发展现有技能和获取新技能，同时考虑技术和经济效益及效率。 本国际标准中的原则适用于许多其他人类活动，例如家庭和休闲活动产品的设计。ISO 26800对本国际标准中的原则进行了更一般的描述。

ISO 6385:2016 establishes the fundamental principles of ergonomics as basic guidelines for the design of work systems and defines relevant basic terms. It describes an integrated approach to the design of work systems, where ergonomists will cooperate with others involved in the design, with attention to the human, the social and the technical requirements in a balanced manner during the design process. Users of this International Standard will include executives, managers, workers (and their representatives, when appropriate) and professionals, such as ergonomists, project managers and designers who are involved in the design or redesign of work systems. Those who use this International Standard can find a general knowledge of ergonomics (human factors), engineering, design, quality and project management helpful. The term "work system" in this International Standard is used to indicate a large variety of working situations, including permanent and flexible work places. The intention of this International Standard is to assist in the improvement, (re)design or change of work systems. Work systems involve combinations of workers and equipment, within a given space and environment, and the interactions between these components within a work organization. Work systems vary in complexity and characteristics, for example, the use of temporary work systems. Some examples of work systems in different areas are the following: - production, e.g. machine operator and machine, worker and assembly line; - transportation, e.g. driver and car or lorry, personnel in an airport; - support, e.g. maintenance technician with work equipment; - commercial, e.g. office worker with workstation, mobile worker with a tablet computer, cook in a restaurant kitchen; - other areas like health care, teaching and training. The observance of ergonomic principles applies to all phases throughout the life cycle of the work system from conception through development, realization and implementation, utilization, maintenance and support to decommissioning. The systems approach in this International Standard gives guidance to the users of this International Standard in existing and new situations. The definitions and ergonomic principles specified in this International Standard apply to the design of optimal working conditions with regard to human well-being, safety and health, including the development of existing skills and the acquisition of new ones, while taking into account technological and economic effectiveness and efficiency. The principles in this International Standard are applicable to many other human activities, e.g. in the design of products for domestic and leisure activities. A more general description of the principles in this International Standard can be found in ISO 26800.