When you hear the term “ergonomics” you might think of an office chair or a funky-looking mouse or keyboard. In reality, ergonomics is much broader than desk work, and can be the difference between keeping workers healthy and dealing with frequent injuries or fatigue on the job site.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for more than 20% of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry, representing a significant number of days away from work and insurance claim cost that may be able to be prevented through better ergonomic practices.
The best way to apply ergonomics to your specific projects is with an integrated team who knows your workers and your goals. But there are still many tips and case studies to get a broad idea of how your team might approach enhancing ergonomics for construction companies.
Why prioritize ergonomics in construction?
Ergonomics is the science of designing tasks, tools, and work environments to align with human capabilities. When applied effectively, it ensures that your workers can perform their jobs efficiently without unnecessary strain or risk of injury.
Ergonomic hazards in construction often include repetitive lifting, awkward postures, prolonged standing, and forceful exertions. Over time, these issues can result in chronic injuries like lower back pain or joint damage. If you employ the principles of ergonomic solutions, you can mitigate these risks and foster a healthier workforce.
Basic principles of ergonomics
- Fitting the job to the worker – Adapt tasks and tools to match the physical capabilities of each worker.
- Minimizing repetition – Reduce repetitive tasks to prevent strain injuries.
- Improving workflows – Design workflows to minimize awkward body positions or excessive reaching.
- Utilizing proper tools – Use ergonomic equipment that reduces physical effort without compromising performance.
Ergonomics helps retain skilled workers
One of the biggest challenges in construction is retaining a skilled workforce. Turnover leads to delays, increased costs, and a riskier work environment. One missing part of your turnover prevention strategy may be ergonomics. Poor ergonomics contributes to burnout and could increase the risk of injuries, which only exacerbate high turnover rates.
By prioritizing ergonomic practices, you can give employees a more desirable workplace experience. For instance, job sites that provide tools to assist with heavy loads or highly repetitive tasks not only minimize injuries but also make workers feel valued and supported. Over time, these measures cultivate loyalty and satisfaction.
Train effectively
Unfortunately, new hires are much more likely to experience injuries and accidents than those who are well-versed in the safety procedures and best practices of your projects. A few areas to double-down on training and refresher courses might include:
- Material and tool handling: Teach employees proper gripping techniques, how to use hoists or slings, and when to ask for help with heavy loads.
- Lifting and reaching: Improve awareness of body mechanics during lifting or using a workstation. Use lift-assist devices whenever possible.
- Working at heights: Provide safety harnesses fitted to individual workers and train teams to maintain good posture while working on scaffolding, roofs, ladders, or lifts.
On-the-job coaching
Even the best classroom training can fail when workers encounter real-world challenges on the job site. That’s where on-the-job coaching becomes invaluable, though not often thought of as an opportunity for construction companies.
Integrating ergonomic experts into daily workflows allows teams to receive tailored suggestions for repetitive or hazardous tasks in real-time. These experts can identify risks that may not appear in theory, like workers adopting poor posture during long shifts.
For example, a Work-Fit ergonomics specialist might see that a worker is handling repetitive overhead tasks unnecessarily and suggest repositioning their tools or adjusting their working height. This real-time feedback helps workers adopt healthier, more sustainable habits immediately.
Return to work seamlessly
Accidents always happen, and when they do, both workers and their teams are at a disadvantage if they don’t have the support they need to rehabilitate quickly and get back to full fitness.
A Work-Fit team takes the guesswork out of proper rehabilitation and workplace accommodations you might need to make to ensure you retain skilled employees after an injury who are back to full fitness.
Investing in the ability for employees to return to work confidently demonstrates that you value their well-being, while ensuring that they remain productive members of the team.
Ergonomic specialists for construction companies
These days, ergonomics in construction can’t just be an afterthought—it’s a necessity. From reducing turnover to preventing injuries and boosting productivity, focusing on ergonomic practices can transform your job site into a safer, more efficient workspace.
But applying ergonomics requires expertise. That’s where our industrial athletic trainers and ergonomic specialists come in. We’ll provide the support and guidance your teams need to stay healthy, happy, and productive on any project. Learn more about how we support construction companies by reaching out to our team today.
