Interested in learning more about ergonomics? Read on to get answers to the most popular ergonomics questions.
Table of Contents:
- What is ergonomics in the workplace?
- What is ergonomic design?
- What are some examples of ergonomics?
- What are “ergonomic” injuries?
- Why is ergonomics so important?
- What are the benefits of ergonomics?
- What are the principles of ergonomics?
- What are the three primary ergonomic risk factors?
- Why is training an important element in the ergonomics process?
- Is there an OSHA standard for ergonomics?
- Where does the word “ergonomics” come from?
What is ergonomics in the workplace?
Workplace Ergonomics
The science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Ergonomics is an approach or solution to deal with a number of problems—among them are work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
At its core, workplace ergonomics is really about building a better workplace. When jobs are designed to match the capabilities of people, it results in better work being produced and a better experience for the person doing it.
Through that lens, ergonomics creates value on several fronts. It’s good for your people and good for your business.
What is ergonomic design?
Good ergonomic design matches job conditions and demands to the capabilities and limitations of the workers performing them.
Although evaluating and improving existing work task and process design is important, certainly the most cost-effective approach to workplace ergonomics is to establish a robust proactive program. A proactive design approach to ergonomics emphasizes primary prevention of MSD through recognizing, anticipating and eliminating risk factors in the ergonomic design and planning stages of new work processes.
What are some examples of ergonomics?
In theory and practice, ergonomics is a valuable business tool. Good ergonomics reduces injury risk, improves work performance and efficiently builds a better end product.
We’ve published several ergonomics case studies on our blog that move away from abstract theory and dive into the real world practice of ergonomics. It’s about real people doing real work in ergonomics. Here are a few of them:
- Ergonomics Case Study: Press Operator Job
- Ergonomics Case Study: Rolling Pallet Improvement
- Ergonomics Case Study: Lift Assist and Two-Step Stool
- Ergonomics Improvement Project Case Study
What are “ergonomic” injuries?
We need to set the record straight on this one. The language you use to describe MSDs is important and often indicative of how successful you will be in preventing them.
A “musculoskeletal disorder” is not a “repetitive motion injury” or an “ergonomic injury” or any other term.
There is no “repetitive motion” part of the human body. There is no “ergonomics” in the human body. A musculoskeletal disorder is a musculoskeletal disorder. It’s an injury/disorder to the human body’s musculoskeletal system.
Using “repetitive motion” or “ergonomic” or any other term besides musculoskeletal disorder to describe these injuries is an attempt to designate a singular cause to the injury. This will always hinder your MSD prevention efforts because there is no singular cause of MSDs.
A musculoskeletal disorder is simply an injury or disorder to the human body’s musculoskeletal (or “movement”) system.
The musculoskeletal system is made up of tendons, ligaments, nerves, soft tissue, etc. and is designed to enable your body to move. You can think of an MSD as a “movement system disorder”.
Why is ergonomics so important?
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a common and costly problem for people and companies across the United States.
- MSDs are the single largest category of workplace injuries and are responsible for almost 30% of all worker’s compensation costs. (source: BLS)
- U.S. companies spent 50 billion dollars on direct costs of MSDs in 2011. (source: CDC)
- Indirect costs can be up to five times the direct costs of MSDs. (source: OSHA)
- The average MSD comes with a direct cost of almost $15,000. (source: BLS)
The economic and human costs of MSDs are unnecessary. Musculoskeletal disorders are preventable.
A proactive ergonomics process is an important element of preventing this common, costly, and painful injury category.
What are the benefits of ergonomics?
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reviewed 250 ergonomics case studies to reveal the impact of ergonomics on business goals like cost savings, productivity and product quality.
What did they find? That ergonomics is well worth the investment. You can check out an overview of their findings here: Examples of Costs and Benefits of Ergonomics [PDF]
What are the principles of ergonomics?
Have you ever heard the term, “ergo eyes”?
It’s an expression that means seeing the world through the lens of fundamental ergonomic principles. Once you know and internalize these ergonomic principles, you’ll never want to go back.
What are the three ergonomic risk factors?
Risk factors related to work activity and ergonomics can make it more difficult to maintain the balance between local soft tissue fatigue and an individual’s ability to recover from this fatigue, and increase the probability that some individuals may develop a MSD.
The major workplace ergonomic risk factors to consider are:
- High Task Repetition
- Forceful Exertions
- Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures
Why is training an important element in the ergonomics process?
Ergonomics training is one of the most essential elements of an effective ergonomics process. After all, the success of your ergonomics process hinges on your team’s ability to find and fix the ergonomics problems in your work environment.
The effectiveness of your team will depend on how well they are trained and (most importantly) the skills they gain during the ergonomics training process.
Is there an OSHA standard for ergonomics?
According to this article in EHS Today:
“OSHA began an ergonomics rule-making process in 1992 and started drafting an ergonomics standard in 1995, which eventually culminated in the issuance of an Ergonomics Program Standard on Nov. 4, 2000. The standard became effective on Jan. 16, 2001.
The new rule generally contained requirements for most non-construction employers to identify and abate MSDs. Not surprisingly, there was strong criticism by various industry and business groups about the new rule that focused on, among other things, mandatory compliance, cost and tension with state workers’ compensation laws. On March 20, 2001, President George W. Bush –shortly after taking office – signed Senate Joint Resolution 6, which repealed the new standard.
…
OSHA also has made it clear that even in the absence of a specific industry guideline, employers still can be cited for a violation of the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), which generally requires employers to keep workplaces free from recognized serious hazards including ergonomic hazards. In deciding whether a General Duty citation should be issued with respect to ergonomics, OSHA will review the following factors: (1) whether an ergonomic hazard exists; (2) whether that hazard is recognized; (3) whether the hazard is causing, or likely to cause, serious physical harm to employees; and (4) whether a feasible means exists to reduce the hazard. OSHA also specifically has noted that it will not focus on enforcement efforts against employers who are making a good faith effort to reduce ergonomic hazards.”
Where does the word “ergonomics” come from?
The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s the science of work. Good ergonomic design removes incompatibilities between the work and the worker and creates the optimal work environment. This allows you to efficiently create the best product possible.
