This is an installment of the Workplace Ergonomics 101 series.
Good managers consider the following when making decisions:
- Will this initiative increase our revenues?
- Will this initiative decrease our costs?
- Is this initiative the right thing to do?
The good news is that a workplace ergonomics improvement process meets all three criteria. Here are four steps you can take to get more support for an ergonomics process at your facility.
- Communicate the value of ergonomics.
- Use ergonomics examples and case studies to tell the story.
- Make the business case.
- Show that you have a plan.
1. Communicate the Value of Ergonomics
In a recent article titled, “5 Proven Benefits of Workplace Ergonomics,” we laid out a few of the proven benefits of ergonomics at work:
- Ergonomics reduces costs.
- Ergonomics improves productivity.
- Ergonomics improves quality.
- Ergonomics increases employee engagement.
- Ergonomics improves your company safety culture.
When you communicate these benefits, make sure you incorporate company-specific initiatives and values. Speaking in a language the decision-maker can relate to will greatly increase the odds you will gain their support.
For example, if you’re in a company-wide effort to increase production by X%, be sure to emphasize the impact an ergonomics process will have on the long-term productivity at your facility.
By aligning ergonomics with other company-wide goals, you are positioning ergonomics as a value-added process instead of a costly expenditure.
2. Use Ergonomics Examples and Case Studies
Using specific ergonomics examples and case studies will help you tell a compelling story and make your case. Telling these stories can bring the theoretical concept of an ergonomics improvement process down to real life.
To the uninitiated, ergonomics can seem like some kind of rocket science. The truth is that for the most part, ergonomics is extremely practical and cost-effective. Sharing case studies and real life ergonomics success stories can help the decision maker get a feel for how an ergonomics process works in real life.
Telling these stories also shows that you’ve done your research and know you stuff, giving you much needed credibility when you make your case for more support and company resources.
Here are a few helpful ergonomics success stories and case studies you can use to build your case:
- OSHA’s Ergonomics Success Stories
- WSDLI Ergonomics Success Stories
- 93% Decrease of OSHA Recordable Injuries
- 91% Decrease of MSD-Related Cases
3. Make the Business Case
What is poor ergonomics costing you? What is the potential financial upside to an ergonomics improvement process at your facility?
To answer these questions and make the business case for ergonomics, conduct a cost-benefit analysis.
If you are outsourcing all or part of your ergonomics process, use any data the service provider can give you to determine your projected return on investment (ROI) on their services.
If you plan on implementing and maintaining your ergonomics process in-house, estimate the financial impact of the process on your facility and run a cost-benefit analysis.
Most decision makers will want to know the return they can expect on their financial investment in ergonomics. Have the data ready and make the business case for ergonomics to gain their support.
(For a helpful guide on cost-justifying ergonomic improvements, here’s one of our recent articles: How to Cost-Justify Ergonomic Improvements. The post includes a cost-justification calculator you can download for free.)
4. Show That You Have a Plan
Who will be responsible for the different elements of the ergonomics process? How will you measure the results? What does the process look like, exactly? What are the overall goals you hope to achieve?
By answering these questions and having a game plan for success, you will look prepared and ready to implement an ergonomics process worth company resources.
Get more support!
If you can put together all four of the suggestions presented above to gain more support for your ergonomics process, you will be well on your way to making the case for ergonomics and getting the company resources you need to get started.
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