Dr Chan obtained his BSc in industrial engineering from the University of Hong Kong in 1982. He then obtained his MPhil and PhD in ergonomics and human factors studies from the University of Hong Kong in 1986 and 1995 respectively. Dr Chan worked in electronic industries and food industries as an Industrial Engineer and a Technical Services Manager before he joined City University of Hong Kong in 1989. Before and during his service in the University, he has also been engaging in consultancy work in computerized inventory management systems, ergonomic workplace evaluation and design, workflow rationalisation, productivity improvement, and interface design in manufacturing, engineering service industries and the banking industry.

Dr Chan has been contributing to his profession by continuously serving the Institute of Industrial Engineers (HK) since 1991 in the capacities of Chairman of the Engineering Committee, Honorary Secretary, and Honorary Treasurer. He was elected as President of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (HK) for 1996/1997 and was the Director of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (HK) from 1992 to 2000.

Dr Chan is an editorial member of the Institute of Industrial Engineering (HK) Newsletter, the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, the Journal of Industrial Engineering Research, the Asian Journal of Ergonomics, and Industrial and Occupational Ergonomics: Users' Encyclopedia. He is a senior member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Council Member of the Pan Pacific Council on Occupational Ergonomics, Founding Member of the Provisional Council of the Hong Kong Ergonomics Society, and Member of the Manufacturing Engineering Division of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the International Society of Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Ergonomics Society. He is a Charted Engineer in the UK. He has recently been elected as Region Vice President (Asia) of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. His biography has been selected for inclusion in the new Millennium Edition of Marquis Who's Who in the World.