Objective of ergonomics in the workplace
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Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Show
Most people have heard of ergonomics and think it is something to do with seating or with the design of car controls and instruments – and it is… but it is so much more. Ergonomics applies to the design of anything that involves people – workspaces, sports and leisure, health and safety. Ergonomics (or ‘human factors’ as it is referred to in North America) is a branch of science that aims to learn about human abilities and limitations, and then apply this learning to improve people’s interaction with products, systems and environments. Ergonomics aims to improve workspaces and environments to minimise risk of injury or harm. So as technologies change, so too does the need to ensure that the tools we access for work, rest and play are designed for our body’s requirements. Why is Ergonomics important?In the workplace: According to Safe Work Australia, the total economic cost of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be $60 billion dollars. Recent research has shown that lower back pain is the world’s most common work-related disability – affecting employees from offices, building sites and in the highest risk category, agriculture. Ergonomics aims to create safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of a workspace, including the individual’s body size, strength, skill, speed, sensory abilities (vision, hearing), and even attitudes. In the greater population: The number of people in Australia aged 75 and over is forecast to double over the next 50 years. With this, equipment, services and systems will need to be designed to accommodate the increasing needs of the ageing population, applying to public transport, building facilities, and living spaces. How does Ergonomics work?Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, but relies on research carried out in many other older, established scientific areas, such as engineering, physiology and psychology. To achieve best practice design, Ergonomists use the data and techniques of several disciplines:
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Discuss your requirements with an expert – obligation free.Is ergonomics worth the investment? Learn the benefits of ergonomics in the workplace, backed by 250 case studies. Are you looking to reduce worker’s compensation and health care costs for your company? Is improving productivity one of your company’s core business objectives this year? How about improving product quality? If this is the case (and I’ll assume it is), then establishing or improving upon your company’s workplace ergonomics process should be on the top of your to-do list. In fact, leading companies are integrating ergonomics deeply into all of their operations. And it’s no wonder when you take a look at the benefits of an effective ergonomics process.
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] And here is the Ergonomics Cost-Benefit Analysis Summary [PDF] Note: You can grab a free copy of our Benefits of Workplace Ergonomics pdf file at the end of this post. Click here to go straight to the download. Here are five of the proven benefits of a strong workplace ergonomics process backed by the results of the Washington State DLI study: 1. Ergonomics reduces costs.By systematically reducing ergonomic risk factors, you can prevent costly MSDs. With approximately $1 out of every $3 in workers compensation costs attributed to MSDs, this represents an opportunity for significant cost savings. Also, don’t forget that indirect costs can be up to twenty times the direct cost of an injury.
2. Ergonomics improves productivity.The best ergonomic solutions will often improve productivity. By designing a job to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient.
3. Ergonomics improves quality.Poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and fatigued workers that don’t do their best work. When the job task is too physically taxing on the worker, they may not perform their job like they were trained. For example, an employee might not fasten a screw tight enough due to a high force requirement which could create a product quality issue.
4. Ergonomics improves employee engagement.Employees notice when the company is putting forth their best efforts to ensure their health and safety. If an employee does not experience fatigue and discomfort during their workday, it can reduce turnover, decrease absenteeism, improve morale and increase employee involvement.
5. Ergonomics creates a better safety culture.Ergonomics shows your company’s commitment to safety and health as a core value. The cumulative effect of the previous four benefits of ergonomics is a stronger safety culture for your company. Healthy employees are your most valuable asset; creating and fostering the safety & health culture at your company will lead to better human performance for your organization. Workplace Ergonomics – Is it worth the cost?So is an ergonomics process worth the cost? Yes, absolutely! Not only is ergonomics good for your business, it’s great for your people. As health & safety professionals, we need to be able to demonstrate the value of ergonomics to get buy-in for the process. Good managers consider the following when making decisions:
When considering a workplace ergonomics process, you can answer with an emphatic “YES!” to all three of these questions. Free Download: The Benefits of Workplace ErgonomicsFree Download: The Benefits of Workplace ErgonomicsEnter your email address below to grab a free copy of our Benefits of Workplace Ergonomics pdf. Mark Middlesworth is the founder of ErgoPlus, and still enjoys educating and motivating “workplace athletes” toward better health each and every day. Get more from Mark and ErgoPlus by signing up for the free Prevention Weekly newsletter. What are the main objectives of ergonomics?The goal of ergonomics is to reduce your exposure to work hazards. A hazard is defined as a physical factor within your work environment that can harm your body. Ergonomic hazards include working in awkward or uncomfortable postures and using excessive force or high repetition to complete a task.
What are objectives and advantages of ergonomics?What are the advantages of ergonomics? Implementing ergonomic improvements can reduce the risk factors that lead to discomfort. Ergonomic improvements can reduce the primary risk factors for MSDs, so workers are more efficient, productive, and have greater job satisfaction.
What are the 5 benefits of ergonomics?Here are five of the proven benefits of a strong workplace ergonomics process backed by the results of the Washington State DLI study:. Ergonomics reduces costs. ... . Ergonomics improves productivity. ... . Ergonomics improves quality. ... . Ergonomics improves employee engagement. ... . Ergonomics creates a better safety culture.. Why is ergonomics important in the workplace and in daily life?Habits formed in our daily activities like staring at the computer, cradling the phone, slouching in a chair or even just carrying groceries can create painful body conditions. These conditions can be helped or prevented by incorporating good ergonomic techniques into daily routines and work sites.
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