This is an installment of the Workplace Ergonomics 101 series.
By now, you’re probably aware of the benefits an ergonomics process can have for your facility.
You know ergonomics can help your people work safer and be more productive.
You know that the impact ergonomics has on production, quality and human performance can be a competitive advantage for your business.
A solid ergonomics process doesn’t have to be as complicated as rocket science or brain surgery, but it can be a little tricky to get all the right pieces in place for your ergonomics process to achieve sustainable results.
So today, we’re offering a 10-step workplace ergonomics checklist to get you started on the right foundation.
Like many topics, there are passionate differing schools of thought on some of these. But this is my “essential” list for you to build a solid ergonomics process on.
Check these off, and – based on my experience of over two decades of providing ergonomics, injury prevention and wellness services – you’ll have the right framework to create a successful ergonomics process.
1. Get Buy-in From Management
For your ergonomics process to get the manpower and resources it needs to be successful in the long run, you will need to have the support of upper management.
At least one member of upper management needs to be involved in “championing” the process and be held responsible for results.
2. Use a Process Approach
The most successful companies with respect to ergonomics view it as a process aligned with continuous improvement, not a program or one-off project.
The focus should not be on simply conducting ergonomic assessments; the focus should be on making cost-effective ergonomic improvements that result in reduction of injury risk and improved process efficiency. These results should be measured and documented, proving the effectiveness of the implemented controls.
(For more on ergonomics as a process, download our Ergonomics Improvement Process Flowchart [PDF] for free.
3. Use a Team Approach
The ergonomics process should be “owned by many”. Your process can benefit from the input and expertise from many people within your organization such as engineers, supervisors, team members on the shop floor, members of the Health & Safety team, etc.
Involving more people in the ergonomics improvement process brings more expertise and resources to the table. Not only will many ergonomics projects require this expertise, but having everyone involved in the earliest stages of the ergonomics process will ensure all parties affected by ergonomic improvements have a chance to offer their input and will accept changes.
4. Establish Roles & Responsibilities
Clear roles and responsibilities should be communicated to all parties involved in the ergonomics process.
This ensures elements of the process will never fall through the cracks due to a gap in communication. Roles and responsibilities should be part of a written document outlining the entire process. All parties should be held accountable for their role in the process.
5. Educate & Train
Education and training ensures all parties responsible for the ergonomics process are properly equipped to be successful for their role in the process.
Engineers need to be trained on ergonomic design principles. Management needs to be educated on the benefits of the ergonomics process and learn ergonomics program management best practices. All team members need to be trained on work methods, proper body mechanics, general wellness and MSD prevention.
A robust education and training process should be established and continuously improved based on results and feedback from team members.
6. Involve Employees in the Process
We mentioned this earlier in #3: Use a Team Approach, but it’s worth repeating again.
Shop floor employees should be involved in the ergonomics process! They interact with their work environment all day and are the real ergonomics experts.
Engaging them in the process will often uncover valuable insight and perspective that will benefit improvement efforts. When employees feel involved in the process, they are more likely to accept changes and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute.
7. Be Proactive – Design with Ergonomics in Mind
Want to get the most bang for your ergonomics buck? Be proactive and design new work processes with ergonomics in mind.
This is the most cost-effective approach to ergonomics and will save you a countless amount of time. Who doesn’t want that?
8. Measure Results
It’s important to measure the results of the process to drive continuous improvement and make sure you’re getting a return on your ergonomics investment.
Monthly: We recommend a progress report every month that documents ergonomic opportunities identified and ergonomic improvements made.
Annually: We also recommend an annual audit of the entire ergonomics and MSD prevention process.
9. Use Data to Drive Continuous Improvement
Use the data from the monthly reporting and annual audits to improve your process. Over time, you should see significant improvements in both lagging and leading indicators.
Lagging indicators include:
- OSHA Recordable injuries
- Workers Compensation costs
- Incidence rate
Leading indicators include:
- Reduction of ergonomic risk factors
- Training sessions completed
- Audits completed
10. Establish a Comprehensive MSD Prevention Process
Ergonomics on its’ own can produce results. But you will need all elements of a comprehensive MSD prevention process for a truly best-in-class process.
Education/training and early intervention make a solid ergonomics process even more effective.
Just like building the foundation of a beautiful house, if you can accomplish each step in this 10-part checklist, you’ll have something solid that will serve you for many, many years to come.
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