A business process is only as effective as the people behind it.
This fact is especially prevalent with your ergonomics improvement process.
The purpose of your process is to identify and remove ergonomic risk factors by making practical and cost-effective workplace improvements.
The benefits of successful execution of your ergonomics process are many; reduced injuries and associated costs, productivity improvements and better product quality, to name just a few.
While ergonomics isn’t rocket science, the most successful companies have a well-trained and well-equipped workforce to support the process.
Ergonomics training ensures your workforce is empowered to accomplish the roles and responsibilities you’ve strategically laid out for them. In fact, the best ergonomics training will give your people the tools and know-how to thrive in their role.
That’s where we’re headed. But first, let’s take a step back and think about the big picture.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind
There are two “big picture” things to keep in mind before we get to specific ergonomics training tactics. These are two major factors that will ultimately determine the success (or failure) of your ergonomics process.
1. Keep in mind who is responsible for ergonomics and workplace improvements.
The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s essentially 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.
Who do you think should be responsible for creating the best product (or delivering the best service) possible?
If you’re thinking that should be everyone’s job, you’re right. Everyone at your company is responsible for the ergonomics process, and everyone needs the knowledge and tools to successfully execute their role in the process and meet their responsibilities. This goes for the CEO and leadership team all the way to the real workplace experts, the employees on the shop floor.
Ergonomics training should be approached from this high-level perspective and given adequate time, attention and resources. Without these things, you won’t get the results you’re looking for and you’ll be missing out on a huge opportunity.
2. Keep in mind your overall strategy and set yourself up for success.
Ergonomics training should be implemented strategically, keeping in mind your overall health and safety goals. What you are ultimately hoping to accomplish is improved human performance for your company, and in order for that to happen, you must include the human being during the training process.
Ergonomics training should not only include the science of ergonomics and workplace improvements, but it also needs to include training on proper work practices and how workers can keep their bodies fit for the work they have chosen to do.
In other words, your company is responsible for providing a good “fit” between the work and the worker through ergonomics. The worker is responsible for using good work practices and staying fit so they can do their job. Health, safety, productivity and quality all depend upon this partnership between the company and the worker.
The best training ensures everyone understands their role in the partnership, takes responsibility for it and becomes excellent at it. That is where excellence in ergonomics is born.
Conclusion
Ergonomics training is a vital piece of the workplace ergonomics puzzle. A well-trained and well-equipped workforce makes all the difference.
Maximum human performance is achieved at the intersection of good workplace design and a healthy, fit workforce. If that sounds unattainable (or too expensive), think again. The opportunities to enhance human performance are abundant, and the vast majority of these opportunities have both practical and cost-effective solutions.
Recognizing the many opportunities at your facility and implementing the right solutions begins with the right training.
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