Sensors In Materials Science

The benefits of starting an ergonomic program have shown that it creates a better workplace environment that helps employees to become more productive.

THE GOAL OF

ERGONOMICS:

Enhancement of human performance

while improving safety, health,

comfort and job satisfaction.

BENEFITS OF

ERGONOMICS:

Ð"Ñœ Productivity

Ð"Ñœ Employee Satisfaction

Ð"ÑŸ Injury rates and associated costs

Ð"ÑŸ Legal expenses

Ð"ÑŸ Employee turn-over

Ð"ÑŸ Employee sick leave

The investment in ergonomics will often have a dramatic ROI if implemented correctly. Reduce labor costs and increased productivity allows organizations to increase profit generating activities rather than focusing on overhead costs.

Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to people. The discipline encompasses a body of knowledge about physical abilities and limitations as well as other human characteristics that are relevant to job design. Essentially, ergonomics is the relationship between the worker and the job and focuses on the design of work areas to enhance job performance. Ergonomics can help prevent injuries and limit secondary injuries as well as accommodate individuals with various disabilities, including those with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

With workers' compensation costs soaring and ergonomic legislation coming to fruition in certain industries (e.g., meatpacking, nursing homes, retail stores, poultry processing), employers are implementing broad-based ergonomic programs. For those industries not covered by existing ergonomic standards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expects employers to follow Section 5(a)1, the General Duty Clause, of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), which says that "a place of employment must be free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to [ ] employees." According to OSHA, "work-related [MSDs] currently account for one-third of all occupational injuries and illnesses reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by employers every year. These disorders [ ] constitute the largest job-related injury and illness problem in the United States today."

The benefits of implementing an ergonomics program apply to all workers, but ergonomics can be particularly important when accommodating employees with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that employers accommodate employees with disabilities, which may include individuals with MSDs. An accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified employee with a disability to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy the benefits or privileges of employment. For individuals with MSDs, accommodations may be as diverse as alternative keyboards, tool balancers, or scissor lifts. Before determining what accommodations might be effective, an employer must know the essential functions of the job in question as well as the limitations of the individual performing the job. Though not required by the ADA, a job analysis can aid in determining the essential functions of a position and is an important precursor to an ergonomic analysis.

The following document provides tips for completing a job analysis and outlines how to perform an ergonomic analysis with a special emphasis on accommodations. Considerations for the worker, workstation, and work-site are highlighted. In particular, the document looks at proper ergonomic spacing, flooring, doors, and storage areas for office, industrial, service, and health care settings. Administrative controls are also addressed.

I. JOB ANALYSIS TIPS

To properly perform a job analysis, the individual performing the job should be observed and interviewed.