What Ergonomics Really Means in the Workplace
When you hear the word “ergonomics,” you might picture custom-molded office chairs or funky-looking computer keyboards. While those products might be useful to office workers, ergonomics is much more than just a label on home office equipment. At its core, ergonomics is the science of designing a workflow and environment that best suits a person, rather than the other way around.
In any job that requires physical effort, from assembly lines to construction sites, ergonomics is crucial for preventing injuries. By implementing ergonomic practices, tools, and policies, companies can protect their most valuable asset—their people—from the physical strains that lead to musculoskeletal injuries. A well-designed workspace isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental part of a healthy, productive, and sustainable business.
The cost of poor ergonomics
Ignoring ergonomics in the workplace can have financial, mental, and physical consequences.
For employees, it means an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other injuries. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and chronic back pain, often develop slowly from repetitive strain, awkward postures, and forceful exertions sustained over months or years of work. A poorly designed workstation or the wrong tool can contribute to these wear-and-tear injuries that many workers see as an unavoidable part of the job.
For the business, the costs are just as significant. Poor ergonomics leads to more recordable injuries, which in turn results in increased workers’ compensation claims and higher insurance premiums. It also causes a rise in absenteeism and presenteeism—where employees are physically at work but not fully productive due to pain or discomfort.
This loss of productivity, combined with low morale and poor job satisfaction, can quietly drain a company’s resources.
But lost hours and unhappy employees don’t have to be the norm. With a proactive approach to ergonomics, you can build a safer and more positive work environment.
How to enhance your team’s ergonomics
OSHA provides assessments and other resources for determining your own solutions to the ergonomic challenges you may or may not be aware of. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, you can improve ergonomics without a complete overhaul of your facility.
Here are a few practical ways to enhance ergonomics in your workplace:
Adjust workstation heights
One of the most common sources of strain for the back and shoulders is working at a height that is either too high or too low, forcing employees to bend, stoop, or reach uncomfortably.
- Provide adjustable workstations: Whenever possible, use workbenches, tables, and conveyors that can be adjusted to suit the height of the individual worker and their task.
- Use platforms: If workstations aren’t adjustable, provide sturdy, anti-slip platforms for shorter employees to stand on. For taller employees, you might need to raise the work surface.
Improve tools and handling
The tools and materials your team handles every day can be a major source of strain if not properly designed.
- Choose ergonomic handles: Adding ergonomic grips to hand tools and manually operated equipment can improve comfort and reduce the force needed to operate them.
- Provide lifting aids: Use carts, dollies, and team lifts to move heavy materials.
- Choose lighter tools: Review handheld tools for weight and grip force needed to operate; when possible, purchase lighter-weight models to reduce strain on the hands, wrists, and arms.
Reduce awkward and static postures
Spending long periods in cramped or stationary positions puts significant stress on the body.
- Rotate tasks: Design workflows that allow employees to switch between tasks that utilize different muscle groups and avoid prolonged repetition.
- Place materials within easy reach: Organize workstations so that frequently used tools and parts are close to the employee, reducing the need to twist, bend, or over-reach.
- Provide anti-fatigue mats: For jobs that require standing for long hours, placing cushioned mats on hard surfaces, such as concrete floors, can reduce fatigue in the legs, back, and feet.
Remember, even small, low-cost changes can make a difference in the long-term for both employee satisfaction and injury prevention.
How Work-Fit can help
We understand that on a busy shop floor or job site everyone is focused on meeting deadlines and moving the project forward. Great ideas for improving ergonomics can easily get pushed to the back burner. That’s where Work-Fit comes in. Our trained industrial ergonomics specialists are experts at identifying risks and creating an actionable plan for improving ergonomics that you can easily implement.
As part of our ergonomic services, we deliver a full assessment of workers’ duties and level of ergonomic risk. We then share clear, actionable steps to help reduce these risks according to your priorities and budget.
But it’s not just the work environment and tools that matter for good ergonomics and better injury prevention. Our team of certified industrial athletic trainers will work directly with your employees. By observing their daily tasks, we can understand the specific physical demands of each job. This allows us to provide personalized training that optimizes their physical movements and techniques to reduce wear and tear on the body. Think of us as coaches who help your team perform their jobs more safely and efficiently.
Discover the power of great ergonomics
Investing in ergonomics is an investment in your people and your business’s future. Creating a safer, more comfortable work environment not only reduces injuries but also boosts morale, improves focus, and enhances productivity.
Whether you’re looking for an in-person assessment or virtual ergonomic training and support, Work-Fit is here to help you build a stronger, healthier workforce. Contact us today to learn how our ergonomics solutions can transform your workplace.
