Learn how ergonomics can add value to your organization by improving productivity.
Workplace ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace, keeping in mind the capabilities and limitations of the worker.
The goal is to optimize the interaction between the work and the worker. By achieving this goal, you’re also achieving an increase in productivity as job tasks become easier and more efficient to perform.
How does ergonomics improve productivity?
The presence of ergonomic risk factors — awkward postures, excessive force, and high task repetition — makes a job more frustrating and difficult to perform. This causes a variety of problems including losses in productivity.
The ergonomics improvement process reduces ergonomic risk factors and improves the interaction between the work and the worker. Done well, this process removes barriers to productivity and makes job tasks easier and faster to accomplish.
Improve productivity by reducing awkward postures
Working in an awkward posture is not an efficient way to work. The ergonomics process encourages work to be done in the “comfort zone”, causing less fatigue and helping you work faster and more accurately.
Improve productivity by reducing high force requirements
High force requirements cause unnecessary exertion that slows work down. Using mechanical assists, counter balance systems, adjustable height lift tables and workstations, powered equipment and ergonomic tools will reduce work effort and muscle exertions.
Improve productivity by reducing highly repetitive tasks
High task repetition, especially when combined with other risks factors such high force and/or awkward postures, increases fatigue and slows the work process down. Excessive or unnecessary motions should be reduced if at all possible. In situations where this is not possible, it is important to eliminate excessive force requirements and awkward postures.
The value of ergonomics
Ergonomics can have a dramatic and far reaching impact on your organization, including improving productivity. In today’s competitive business environment, it’s impossible to ignore ergonomics as a valuable and necessary process to making the best product in the most efficient way.
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Further reading
- 5 Proven Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace
- Workplace Ergonomics 101
- How to Recognize Ergonomic Risk Factors in the Workplace
- The Productivity Benefits of Office Ergonomics Interventions
- Increasing Productivity with Proper Ergonomics
- The Value of Ergonomics — How Ergonomics Lowers Costs
- The Value of Ergonomics — How Ergonomics Improves Product Quality
