| Let me ask you a few questions. Does your | | | | Logs and supporting 301 forms and |
| workplace get in the way of the work you do? | | | | worker’s compensation claims as a starting |
| How does it affect your (or your employees) | | | | point. |
| productivity? Are there missed deadlines, too | | | | 2. Analyze the jobs and look for ergonomic risk |
| many workers compensation claims, or too many | | | | factors, such as repetitive and/or prolonged |
| absences? How does this affect your | | | | movements requiring twisting the wrist and other |
| company’s bottom line? Here is how you | | | | joints, bending, poor illumination, vibration, |
| can solve some of these problems. | | | | exposure to temperature extremes, |
| If you find yourself answering yes to any of | | | | non-adjustable seating, slip hazards, and poor lifting |
| these questions, it is possible that you have a | | | | practices. |
| workplace ergonomics problem. Ergonomics is a | | | | 3. Survey your employees to determine the |
| fairly common buzzword in today’s | | | | existence of ergonomic hazards. |
| workplace, and it carries significant impact for | | | | 4. Gain awareness of common contributing |
| both the employer and the employee. | | | | factors for your industry. |
| In simple terms, ergonomics is the science of | | | | 5. Take corrective actions as necessary. |
| fitting jobs to people with the goal of reducing or | | | | Although corrective actions can be expensive, |
| eliminating the potential for work related injuries, | | | | there are a number of benefits. First, these tend |
| often known as muscular-skeletal disorders, or | | | | to be one-time instead of long-term expenses. |
| MSDs. | | | | Proper ergonomic conditions are a major factor in |
| MSDs are caused or aggravated by workplace | | | | improving production and cost efficiency, and |
| risk factors such as sustained or repeated | | | | there’s plenty of evidence to support this: |
| exertions, awkward postures, exposure to | | | | · A 15% performance improvement of |
| excessive heat, humidity, or cold, high noise levels, | | | | State Farm clerical workers. |
| poor illumination, and uncomfortable, unnatural | | | | · Productivity of workers at Blue |
| manipulations. Common symptoms are decreased | | | | Cross-Blue Shield improved by over 4.4%. |
| range of motion or grip strength, loss of function, | | | | · Another study, with even more |
| swelling, cramping, redness or loss of color, | | | | impressive results, is available at [ |
| soreness, headaches, blurred vision, and hearing | | | | Overcoming and eliminating ergonomic hazards is a |
| loss. | | | | three-stage process, starting with engineering |
| These conditions usually result in lowered | | | | controls that involve physical changes to the job |
| productivity, increased rework, increased medical | | | | and work environment, work practice controls |
| and insurance costs, increased employee | | | | that involve following proper work methods, and |
| absences (and the need of finding additional | | | | administrative controls, such as training, employee |
| manpower), and workers compensation claims. | | | | rotations, and rest breaks. |
| Complaints or problems leading to an OSHA | | | | As for regulatory enforcement and the potential |
| (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or | | | | of fines, Congress struck down OSHA’s |
| MIOSHA audit can lead to significant fines. | | | | Final Ergonomics Program Standard in 2001. OSHA |
| Employees talk, and this can make it hard for | | | | is developing guidelines for specific industries and |
| your company to attract and retain high quality | | | | will assist businesses to help them address |
| people, leading to higher recruiting costs. | | | | ergonomic issues in the workplace. Although the |
| With the goal of cutting costs and improving | | | | guidelines are not enforceable, OSHA conducts |
| productivity, business owners should take a | | | | inspections for ergonomic hazards, issues citations |
| proactive role in identifying and reducing or | | | | under the General Duty Clause, and issue |
| eliminating workplace hazards. OSHA recommends | | | | ergonomic alert letters where appropriate. Since |
| the following steps: | | | | these citations can be costly, it is in |
| 1. Review and analyze injury and illness records | | | | employers’ best interest to take a |
| and look for patterns that could identify a work | | | | proactive approach. |
| related ergonomics factor. Use your OSHA 300 | | | | |