| Ergonomic Resources | | | | For companies with safety and health offices, |
| | | | | ergonomics planning may fall within that |
| | | | department. Some companies choose to hire an |
| Whether a company decides to tackle their | | | | ergonomics professional or charge a current |
| ergonomics issues in-house or bring in an outside | | | | employee with that responsibility. |
| consultant, there are abundant resources for | | | | |
| support and information. | | | | |
| | | | | List of Resources |
| Using a Consultant | | | | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| What can you expect from an ergonomics | | | | (OSHA) has a wealth of information on |
| consultant? If you engage a professional to | | | | ergonomics. In addition to publications, OSHA |
| conduct an ergonomics assessment of your | | | | offers e-tools for specific industries and tasks. |
| workplace, be prepared to show your injury and | | | | OSHA consultation services offer free on-site |
| illness logs. Review of this data will help a | | | | consultation to help businesses recognize and |
| consultant identify possible ergonomic hazards and | | | | reduce ergonomic hazards. Consultations are |
| will help direct resources to problem areas. | | | | separate from enforcement and do not result in |
| After reviewing this information a consultant will | | | | citations or penalties. Many states provide free or |
| observe potentially hazardous tasks and talk with | | | | low-cost ergonomic consulting and training, often |
| employees and supervisors. The consultant may | | | | through their labor or health departments. |
| videotape tasks and/or do job analyses. | | | | Manufacturers of ergonomic furniture and |
| The consultant’s written report will include a | | | | equipment often offer consultation on ergonomic |
| description of current and potential ergonomic | | | | design. They can help you choose the right |
| hazards as well as suggestions for ergonomic | | | | equipment. |
| improvements. Suggestions may include changes | | | | Healthcare providers, especially providers of |
| in equipment, processes, and environment and/or | | | | occupational health services, treat workers with |
| employee training. | | | | workplace injuries and illnesses. Many also provide |
| | | | | ergonomic training and workstation adjustment, |
| Doing it In-House | | | | especially for injured workers returning to work. |
| Many companies choose to create an ergonomics | | | | Workers’ compensation insurance carriers |
| team to address ergonomics issues. Teams | | | | often provide free or low-cost ergonomic |
| usually include various levels of personnel. It is | | | | services, including training and consultation. |
| essential to involve people who do the hazardous | | | | - The National Institute for Occupational Safety |
| tasks; they often have the best ideas for | | | | and Health (NIOSH) has publications on |
| improvements. Ergonomics team members must | | | | ergonomics. |
| receive training on recognition and control of | | | | - Several colleges and universities have |
| ergonomic hazards. Management must provide | | | | ergonomics programs that offer information and |
| adequate time and money for the ergonomics | | | | or consultation for the public. |
| team to do its job. Some of the resources below | | | | Source: |
| include checklists to guide ergonomic evaluations. | | | | June 2009/John J. |
| Here are sample checklists: | | | | |