Evaluating Progress

Procedures and mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of the ergonomics process are also important. Evaluation and follow-up are essential to the continuous improvement and long-term success of ergonomics improvements.

OSHA recommends that the ergonomics process be regularly evaluated to determine whether ergonomic objectives are met, including after new solutions are implemented. Such evaluations should include input from shipyard managers, healthcare providers, and employees to review goals, suggest changes in the process, and evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomic improvements.

For small shipyards, the success of an ergonomics process can sometimes be evaluated based simply on interactions with employees and on observations of the work environment.

Evaluation of more formal ergonomics processes in larger shipyards can also include activity and outcome measures.

Example activity measures include the following:

• Average time between the employee report of injury, risk factors, or other ergonomics-related problems, and the implementation of appropriate solutions
• Number of jobs analyzed and number of hazards identified
• Number of employees trained
• Number of risk factors reduced or eliminated

Outcome measures may include:

• Number of OSHA-recordable MSDs
• MSD incidence rate
• Number of workers' compensation claims
• Severity rate of MSDs
• Annual medical cost for MSDs
• Average workers' compensation costs per MSD
• Number of job transfer requests per trade

Process evaluations may also include direct communication with employees during training sessions, interviews during workplace observations, and follow-up medical evaluations.

Employers can use the results of process evaluations to refocus the goals of the ergonomics process over time. As the shipyard achieves some goals, it may be appropriate to focus efforts on other goals that remain.

To learn more about Ergonomics visit our Shipyard Ergonomics Online Training web page.