Does ergonomics create new value for the organizations that invest resources to pursue it?

Absolutely. Ergonomics creates tremendous value for organizations that develop a strong practice.

NIOSH defines ergonomics as, “The science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Ergonomics is an approach or solution to deal with a number of problems—among them are work-related musculoskeletal disorders.”

At its core, ergonomics is really about building a better workplace. When jobs are designed to match the capabilities of people, it results in better work being produced and a better experience for the person doing it.

Through that lens, ergonomics creates value on several fronts. It’s good for your people and good for your business.

Good for people

A good match between the person and the job results in fewer injuries and enhances the life of those doing the job.

Fewer injuries

The job improvement process quantifiably controls MSD risk factors that lead to common and costly musculoskeletal disorders.

Enhanced quality of life

A high performing ergonomics process reduces awkward postures, high force requirements, and highly repetitive tasks, making the job easier and more efficient to accomplish. This greatly enhances job satisfaction and quality of life for the workplace athletes performing the job.

Good for business

Effective health and safety management practices are good business, and ergonomics is certainly no different. Implementing an effective, efficient, sustainable ergonomics process will contribute to nearly all of your organization’s stated business goals including lowering costs, improving productivity, making a higher quality product, and improving operational performance contributing to better bottom line business results.

Lower costs

By controlling the causative risk factors leading to costly MSDs, most organizations are able to achieve significant reductions in MSDs and their related costs including lost workdays, restricted workdays, and worker’s compensation costs.

With approximately $1 out of every $3 in worker’s 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.

Improved 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.

Better product 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.

Better business performance

Companies that invest in health and safety performance have a track record of being rewarded by markets for superior overall financial performance. The Koop Award portfolio, for example, has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 Index, with stock values appreciating 325% compared to the average appreciation of 105%.