Smart employers have a safety program to reduce the number of workers’ compensation claims. Smarter employers integrate ergonomics, the science of designing the job, equipment and the workplace to fit the worker, into their safety program to reduce, even further, the number of work comp claims.
The number of work comp claims caused by repetitive motion strains or cumulative trauma can be significantly reduced through ergonomics. The return-on-investment of properly executed ergonomic programs have been estimated as high as 16 to 1, i.e., $16 saved for each dollar invested. Here are some suggestions on how to create an ergonomics program to increase productivity, reduce employee turnover and reduce or eliminate your ergonomic related work comp claims.

Ergonomic Assessment:

Management should address the following:

1.     A determination of the amount of resources, personnel and time needed to start and maintain an effective ergonomics program.

2.     A determination of who — the risk management department, the safety department, the health and wellness program, or someone else — will be in charge of making decisions and implementing the changes.

3.     The establishment of a system to identify problem areas and the elimination of the risk factors that could cause injury.

4.     A record keeping system to track work comp injuries and the furniture, equipment or machinery involved in the injury.

5.     A regular scheduled review of the effectiveness of the ergonomics program.
Work Space Design:

The factors to consider in evaluating and creating an ergonomically-sound workplace should include at minimum the following areas:

1.     A review of the work place as a whole as well as a review of each department and each individual workspace to maximize the total workspace and equipment.

2.     Adapting the work space to the worker (rather than the worker trying to adapt to the work space) to reduce the risk of injury.

3.     A review of the workflow and the administrative controls in place.

4.     Reduction or elimination of work place stressors such as noise, vibrations, dust, heat, cold, etc.

5.     An analysis of the risk factors of each job and the potential solutions for removing the risk factors

6.     An analysis of the ways to make the work process(es) more efficient.

7.     Researching and implementing solutions such as better placement of furniture or equipment or the obtaining of new, ergonomically compatible furniture or equipment.

Employee Involvement:

There will be a need to train all employees — from new hires to senior management — on the proper way to perform each task . Areas of consideration include:

1.     Involving employees in identifying problem areas that need to be corrected.

2.     Soliciting recommendations from the staff in improving the work process and work flow.

3.     Assessing the physical capability and health of each employee to perform their assigned task(s).

4.     Teaching the employees proper body mechanics (for example not to slouch in their office chair or proper hand/finger placement on a keyboard).

5.     Education and training programs should be developed for your specific business.

Train in the proper use of equipment to avoid repetitive strain injuries.

6.     The training of employees to self-monitor their compliance with proper ergonomics

Summary:

A properly constructed ergonomics program will have a positive effect on your company by improving productivity, improving employee morale, reducing the number of injuries, reducing the extent of injuries and lowering your work comp cost. All of these positive changes from an ergonomics program improve the bottom line for your company.

*Originally posted at Workers Comp Kit Blog

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