Ergonomics in the Workplace - Office Ergonomics Assessment
Easy to implement best practices for any work environment without the need for expensive equipment.
Small office ergonomics issues quickly become big problems
1/3rd of workers’ compensation costs are from ergonomic injuries = $18 billion each year.
-Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Poor Ergonomics in the Workplace Defined…
Excessive Force
lifting objects or people, pushing or pulling heavy loads
Overuse and Repetitive Motion
performing the same motion for long periods of time with improper technique
Awkward Positions
postures that place stress on the body (sitting, standing, kneeling, squatting, bending)
Localized Pressure
direct pinch points on a body part over time (forearm resting on desk)
Cold Temperatures
greatly increases the risk of injuries (air conditioned or refrigerated environments)
Vibration
damages capillaries in hands/arms requiring more force to control tools
Combined Risk Factors
more than one risk factor together has an exponential impact on injury risks
Conditions Related to Poor Ergonomics
Eye strain
Headaches
Fatigue
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Back/Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Long-term Health Consequences
Advanced Spinal Degeneration
Productivity Plummets
Heightened Risk of Injury
Lowered Metabolic Rate
Higher Rates of Employee Absenteeism
Irreversible Damage
Respiratory Dysfunction
Postural Aging
$18 billion
in direct workers’ compensation costs annually due to poor ergonomics.
-Occupational Safety and Health Administration
33%
of all lost workdays are a result of ergonomics related injuries.
-U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3.2 million
overexertion injuries annually = 1 per every 100 U.S. employees.
-National Business Group on Health
Big Problem...Simple Solution
Early detection and intervention can limit injury severity, improve the effectiveness of treatment, minimize the likelihood of disability or permanent damage, and reduce workers compensation claims.
Recognize Warning Signs
Shaking or rubbing hands/arms
Wearing braces (back, wrist, ankle)
Rolling of shoulders
Modifying tools or workspaces
A Successful Ergonomics Program
Clear goals/objectives
Involve employees
Management support
Identify problem areas
Implement solutions
Measure/evaluate progress
3:1 to 15:1
ROI on an ergonomics program = median of $4.41 per $1 spent.
- North American Staying at Work Report
< 1 year
average payback period for implementing a program.
- The Journal of Safety Research
$27,700
saved per repetitive motion workers’ compensation case (carpal tunnel syndrome, back/neck pain, etc).
- North American Staying at Work Report
$16,500
reduction in average cost per injury claim.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
54%
increase in productivity resulted from an ergonomics program.
- The American Posture Institute
94%
reduction in employee turnover resulted from an ergonomics program.
- The American Posture Institute
67%
drop in absenteeism from MSDs due to an ergonomics program.
- The American Posture Institute
93%
reduction in workers’ compensation costs after implementing an ergonomics program.
- The American Posture Institute
Minimal Investment
1 hour of training/evaluation and $25 per employee.
Engage Employees with Proper Ergonomics
to assess their own workstations using our intuitive tools.
Risk Profiles
are aggregated and based on work type, environment, and equipment that enable predictable intervention costs.
