Benefits of Ergonomics

There are many benefits to providing an ergonomically safe work environment. Although there is usually a direct cost associated with implementing ergonomic solutions, such as buying new tools or redesigning the workspace, the indirect costs due to ergonomic-related injuries are much higher.

Improved Employee Well-Being

The overall objective of ergonomics is to have the workplace fit the worker, rather than forcing the worker to adapt to the workplace. Therefore, ergonomics allows workers to operate more comfortably, increases worker safety, and reduces workers' physical and mental stress. This will increase employee morale, job satisfaction, and attitude.

Good ergonomics also reduces workplace injuries, which can cause workers physical and emotional pain and suffering. In addition to the physical recovery, injured workers may experience financial hardships and loss of job skills, and may need retraining if they require time away from work to recover.

Increased Productivity and Quality

Making jobs easier on the worker will, in turn, increase productivity by eliminating unneeded motions, reducing fatigue, lowering absenteeism, and increasing worker efficiency. Automating processes and altering them to demand less physical effort will also reduce errors and improve product quality. Healthier workers and higher productivity can result in a positive impact on a company's bottom line.

Decreased Cost of Injury Claims

According to OSHA statistics, MSDs cost U.S. industries $15 to $20 billion per year in lost work and workers' compensation expenses. In fact, one-third of all workers' compensation costs are due to workplace MSD injuries. The average cost per incidence of MSD is estimated at $12,000. This includes lost work with full wages, replacement wages, lost productivity, and any medical treatment. The average cost increases to $43,000 if surgery is required.

Reducing workplace injuries will lower workers' compensation and medical premiums, which will save companies money long-term.

Decreased Time Away from Work and Employee Turnover

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs result in an average of 11 days of missed work in agricultural industries, 13 days in production industries, and 15 days in transportation and material moving industries.

When employees are injured or leave the company due to stressful or difficult working conditions, there are also indirect costs to the employer, including:

• Wage costs related to time lost through work stoppage
• Wages paid to injured workers for absences not covered by workers' compensation
• Administrative time spent by supervisors after there has been an injury
• Costs for training replacement employees
• Costs due to lower production and product quality

Employers are realizing that the combined indirect costs for workplace injuries are far too high to ignore the need for an ergonomics workplace safety program.

To learn more about Labor & Industry Ergonomics visit our Labor & Industry Ergonomics Online Training web page.