Ergonomics and its impact on workers is becoming better understood in industry today. More specifically, companies are spending more effort trying to understand ergonomics and how it affects their workers. Ergonomics impacts employees in the office and in the plant. Repetitive motion and awkward positioning stresses the human body, causing occupational illnesses.
Trends also show that there is a large, and growing, older working population. Armed with this information, companies need to provide technological solutions to ensure improper ergonomic practices are not causing illness in the workplace. Edward Ballo has performed many ergonomic audits and training events which included offices and plant settings. Another aspect to ensuring healthy ergonomics in the workplace is to purchase new equipment (office furniture and machines alike) that has taken ergonomics into consideration when it was designed.
An example of an ergonomic success came from performing an ergonomic kaizen. The kaizen was performed due to a an employee approaching an occupational safety and health specialist and informing them that they were not feeling well and they thought it was caused by their work situation. The team met, which included the employee and their leader, and they filmed the employee performing their job. The film was then taken to a room where the team dissected the video and identified ergonomic risks. Once the risks were identified, solutions were recommended and the risks that could be addressed immediately were handled on the spot. The employee acknowledged improvements to their health after the changes were made.
For help with assessing and addressing your industry’s ergonomics, contact Edward Ballo with e3s Consulting.