| Ergonomics is a science that deals with designing a | | | | uncomfortable, or broken? The obvious answer is |
| workplace as per human needs. | | | | NO! |
| Its primary purpose is to ensure that a workplace | | | | A healthy and mentally fit employee can work |
| is designed in a way that best suits basic human | | | | better than an employee who is irritated by his |
| needs, especially in the arenas of physical and | | | | her workplace. If an employer is unable to provide |
| mental health. Studies have shown that an | | | | a "fit" environment to his/her employees than it is |
| ergonomically designed workplace helps in | | | | absurd to expect an increased productivity or |
| increasing overall production as result of the | | | | better efficiency. |
| happier, healthier employees. | | | | An ergonomically designed workplace results in |
| Although every workplace should be designed | | | | enhanced productivity. Researches show that |
| with special consideration given to employee | | | | ergonomically designed workplaces are more |
| health and/or performance potential, many are | | | | productive than those which are not designed |
| not. As a result, many companies, large and small, | | | | ergonomically. It is also a commonsense that a |
| are missing out on the huge potential for | | | | worker cannot work properly in a poorly designed |
| increased and sustained productivity that could be | | | | workplace. |
| easily gained if they simply knew to think about | | | | Workers compensation costs can also be saved |
| such things. | | | | through designing a workplace ergonomically. |
| Ergonomics and Employees | | | | Remember that American organizations are |
| There are hundreds of thousands of employees | | | | paying millions of dollars in terms of "workers |
| which are not satisfied with their workplaces or | | | | compensation cost" annually. |
| work environments. They often complain about | | | | Is Ergonomically Designed Workplace Expense or |
| an "inappropriate desktop", "bad lighting", a "bad | | | | Investment? |
| chair", etc. Annually, thousands of employees | | | | Employers should not see this as an expense; |
| suffer from back injuries or other workplace | | | | they should change their vision and see it as an |
| related injuries which could be eliminated by | | | | investment. Employers would certainly get their |
| following simple ergonomics principles. | | | | return-on-investment (ROI) in the form of |
| An irritated and unhappy employee can't perform | | | | productivity, low absenteeism, and low workers |
| well regardless of the type of industry in which he | | | | compensation costs - and they will save |
| she is engaged. If employers provide | | | | thousands of dollars or more annually - depending |
| ergonomically designed workplaces to his/her | | | | upon the size of the organization. |
| workers, workers will feel better; they will | | | | Ergonomics plays an important role in the |
| perform better; and probably would love or enjoy | | | | performance of a worker. An ergonomically |
| their work more as a result. | | | | workplace is essential for all employees. |
| Benefits for Employers | | | | Employers have to invest initially, but they will |
| Can you work effectively at a place where you | | | | certainly save much more than they invested |
| don't have enough room to spread or stretch | | | | through low workers compensation costs and |
| your legs? Where the light is not adequate for | | | | enhanced productivity. In short, it is vital to |
| reading? Where the mouse and keyboard rest | | | | understand that it is a long-term investment, and |
| places are not adequate? Where the chair is | | | | not an upfront expense. |