Why You Should be Thinking About Ergonomics

Ergonomics is one of the most universally applicable environmental, health and safety topics. Whether your employees are seated at desks in an office, in a fulfillment center picking stock, retail store, data center, petroleum refinery, or manufacturing plant, every employee faces ergonomic hazards.

Ergonomics goes beyond evaluating desk set-ups and furniture needs, including shift patterns, work practices and stress management. There are many benefits of ergonomics, including regulatory compliance, worker wellness and productivity, injury cost reduction and sustainability.

Throughout this article, we will touch on some of the pillars of ergonomics that you may want to consider within your own ergonomic program.

Regulatory Ergonomics Requirements Globally

In the United States there is the nebulous General Duty clause and a good deal of leeway when it comes to ergonomics, but that isn’t the case everywhere around the world. From the clear requirements for assessments in Colombia, to the VDU set-up/interface requirements in Austria to workstation risk assessments in Hong Kong, and training requirements in the UK; companies with global footprints, or organizations with remote personnel working internationally need to consider the specific requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate, such as but not limited to:

• Differences between requirements for remote, hybrid, on-site and temporary personnel
• Risk assessment requirements
• Prescriptive requirements for ergonomic evaluations
• Training requirements
• Technical specifications
• Requirements for the provision of equipment

This can be quite the spider web for an organization to try to map and untangle, but doing so is crucial to maintaining regulatory compliance and establishing a successful global program.

Work Wellness and Productivity Related to Ergonomics

Studies have shown that improper ergonomics and posture can lead to increased mortality, cardiovascular disease, incidence of cancer, stress, eye strain, damage to muscles, tendons, vertebral discs and more.

While these negative consequences of improper ergonomics can be alarming, they can be reduced through an appropriate ergonomics program often consisting of small, easily adoptable and minimally disruptive steps and changes. Companies and employees are beginning to see ergonomics as an employee wellness benefit, enabling personnel to work comfortably and productively.

Proper ergonomics be a crucial part of enabling productivity. For example, studies have found that an expansive posture can have a positive impact on the level of creativity displayed by individuals, and an upright posture can increase employee positivity and result in faster processing speeds. Incorporating movement into daily workplace routines also has a big impact on both mental and physical well being.

Injury Cost Reduction

We all know that injuries are not good for a company’s bottom line. From the direct medical costs to indirect lost productivity costs, the cost of injuries to an organization can be huge. But just how costly could injuries be? According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the following are cost estimates for common injuries that may be related to poor ergonomics:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: $64,953
• Strain: $67,248
• Mental Stress: $73,817
   

Ergonomics and Sustainability

Sustainability and ESG (Environmental & Social Governance) are common buzz phrases, with clear links to ergonomics. Ergonomics plays a part in corporate reporting, and it is crucial in designing workspaces effectively. Green ergonomics links sustainability with employee wellbeing.

What can the organizations do to start improving on these programs to ensure they touch upon each of these important pillars of ergonomics? Start by gap-assessing your current ergonomic program and review whether your policies, procedures and training are not just up-to-date, but incorporate sustainability and ESG factors. And for those in the design phase, ensuring ergonomics and other EHS factors are considered is essential to future-proofing and minimizing potential future costs.

Check out three specific approaches in managing global ergonomics programs from complete stringent compliance to a management system approach to set up basic frameworks in each location in this blog from our Associate Antea Group USA.

Learn more about how you can improve your organization's ergonomics program with Inogen Alliance.