Ergonomics is the study of human capabilities in relationship to work demands. It seeks to reduce or eliminate risk factors (i.e. excessive force, awkward posture, repetitive movements) that lead to musculoskeletal and other types of injury as a result of work. This is accomplished through the implementation of workstyle strategies (education and training), administrative controls (job rotation, shift length) and engineering controls (tool design, line lay-out) within the production process. With effective ergonomic training for managers, supervisors and workers, it is possible for operations to be self-sufficient in perpetuating safe work practices, recognizing risk factors and developing methods to reduce or eliminate them within their own operations.
A processing operation that successfully implements a basic ergonomic process will:
reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal injuries;
keep skilled and valuable people at work;
reduce absenteeism;
achieve greater production consistency;
achieve higher levels of quality management; and
improve operating profits by lowering injury costs and improving production levels.
When workers are taught to recognize risk factors that may lead to injury, they become empowered. As this leads to change and improvement in the overall operation, workers reciprocate by focusing more on their job as well as on prevention and a pro-active approach to reducing injuries. The result is a safer and more productive work environment.
WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Ergonomics is about everyone winning. It’s about working without discomfort or injuries, it’s about better production rates, and it’s about better quality management. It’s about making the business better for everyone so that we can be more competitive and grow as a company.
WHAT IS AN MSI?
MSI’s are Musculoskeletal Injuries. They affect your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and the discs in your back. MSI’s like rotator cuff tendonitis happen to your favorite professional baseball players and they happen to your friends and coworkers. With these sorts of injuries an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ergonomics is about preventing these kinds of injuries.
BENEFITS – MAINTAIN HEALTH
Through proper workplace and tool design, we can begin to eliminate the physical and emotional stresses that add up to become discomfort, pain, and finally, an injury. Some MSI’s can end up reducing your quality of living for the rest of your life! They can keep you off the ball field, prevent you from picking up your grandchild, or drain the enjoyment out of your next vacation. Ergonomics can keep you healthy for your working career and afterwards.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
Ergonomics is the study of human capabilities in relationship to work demands. It seeks to reduce or eliminate risk factors (i.e. excessive force, awkward posture, repetitive movements) that lead to musculoskeletal and other types of injury as a result of work. This is accomplished through the implementation of workstyle strategies (education and training), administrative controls (job rotation, shift length) and engineering controls (tool design, line lay-out) within the production process. With effective ergonomic training for managers, supervisors and workers, it is possible for operations to be self-sufficient in perpetuating safe work practices, recognizing risk factors and developing methods to reduce or eliminate them within their own operations.
