Hofman Safety and Industrial Hygiene Consulting, Inc.

Ergonomics

Why would any business want to pay the increased workers compensation costs and even greater hidden costs associated with ergonomic injuries? OSHA may require you to conduct an evaluation of your workplace if you have a musculoskeletal injury. But it costs a lot more money to compensate injured employees and to not realize the increased revenue potential of a well-designed workstation or process.

 

Ergonomics is more than looking at carpal tunnel injuries. It is a science that looks at the human factors concerns in the workplace including musculoskeletal disorders, materials handling, accidents, human error and more. Risk factors for ergonomic disorders include:

·      Repetition and/or vibration

·      Awkward postures

·      Forces that exceed safe ranges

·      Hot or cold work environments

 

When these risk factors have been properly identified and evaluated, controls and procedures can be established to eliminate or minimize the risk. The end result is fewer accident related costs and increased production per man-hour time. With workers spending more time (uninjured) on the job, there is even greater potential for increased profits. In addition, workplace modifications and efficiencies that enhance the workers ability to get the job done with less stress on the body and fewer errors can also improve the bottom line.

 

Whether OSHA passes or does not pass an industry specific set of guidelines for your industry should not be a factor in your decision to establish and implement an ergonomics program. Hofman Safety can provide a wide range of ergonomic evaluation services. Two industry specific guidelines (Meatpacking and Nursing Homes) have been created by OSHA instead of general industry regulations. Industry specific guidelines are expected for the retail grocery, and poultry processing industries. Companies are expected to follow these guidelines and OSHA could use their general duty clause 5(a)(1) to cite employers that fail to comply or address ergonomics in their workplaces.

 

Hofman Safety can assist with all aspects of ergonomics control including: ergonomic evaluations of products or your workplace, training, and program development.