A 5-Step Checklist to Select the Right Ergonomics Consultant

Editor’s Note: This is the final post in our series on selecting an ergonomics consultant. This post will serve as a quick review of what we’ve covered so far and offer you a five step checklist to get you up and running fast.

Let’s get started!

1. Evaluate your need for an ergonomics consultant based on your goals and your internal resources.

First, determine if you need to hire an ergonomics consultant in the first place. This will begin by taking an honest assessment of your challenges and goals and determining if you have the internal resources required to accomplish your goals.

Some of the benefits of hiring an outside ergonomics consultant are:

Expertise
Experience
Proven Methodology

By hiring an ergonomics consultant, you will have access to a specialist in ergonomics who is experienced and brings a battle-tested methodology with proven results. This can shorten your learning curve and free up the time, money and other internal resources you would have spent creating a program from scratch.

Further reading: 5 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Ergonomics Consultant

2. Determine what type of consultant you want to partner with.

Ergonomics consultants come from a variety of fields. The two broad categories of consultants are ergonomists and health care professionals.

There are pros and cons to each. Educate yourself on the different types of consultants and decide which type is the right fit for meeting your specific challenges and goals.

Further reading: Understanding the Different Types of Ergonomics Consultants

3. Research and evaluate the top candidates by expertise and experience.

One of the reasons you’re paying a premium for a consultant instead of using internal resources is to gain the instantaneous advantage of added expertise and experience on your team.

Make sure the consultant you select has the proper credentials and the firm they represent has experience in the field.

Further reading: 15 Quick Tips for Selecting the Right Ergonomics Consultant

4. Verify the past performance of the ergonomics consultant by researching their clients and results.

The truest measure of any consultancy’s performance is the results they get for their clients. Review the case studies, testimonials, cost and injury reduction data and references provided by the consultancy as part of your evaluation process.

In addition to evaluating the consultant, you can also start to build the business case for their services if you need additional leadership support for the program.

5. Get to know the ergonomics consultant through a free consultation or assessment.

Before signing on the dotted line, take the consultant for a test drive through a free consultation or assessment. This will help you get a feel for their style and approach. Find out how they will approach your challenges and meet your goals.

Make your selection

You know your challenges and goals. You know what kind of ergonomics consultant can meet your needs. You’ve done your research and so far you’re impressed with the candidate you’ve met with.

Now it’s time to make your selection!

Selecting an Ergonomics Consultant

This is the fourth and final post in our series on selecting an ergonomics consultant.

In case you missed the first three posts, here they are for your reading pleasure:

Hope it helps!

Do you have any additional tips for hiring an ergonomics consultant? Let us know in the comments.