Industrial Services:
Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics is the relationship between the worker and the job and focuses on the design of work areas to assist in job performance. Introducing ergonomics in the workplace can help prevent and/or limit injuries as well as accommodate individuals with disabilities.

With workers' compensation costs on the rise and the integration of ergonomic legislation, employers are beginning to introduce a much more stringent ergonomics program. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented an ergonomic guideline for many industries including the restaurants and nursing homes. These industry-specific and task-specific guidelines are in place to reduce and prevent workplace ergonomic injuries, often called musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). For those industries not covered by existing ergonomic standards, OSHA expects employers to follow Section 5(a)1, the General Duty Clause, of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), which says that "a place of employment must be free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to [ ] employees." According to OSHA, "work-related [MSDs] currently account for one-third of all occupational injuries and illnesses reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by employers every year. These disorders [ ] constitute the largest job-related injury and illness problem in the United States today."

There are many accommodations that can be implemented in an ergonomics program that may be as diverse as alternative keyboards, chairs, and cordless phone headsets. Before determining what ergonomic programs may be effective, an employer must know the essential functions of the job in question as well as the limitations of the individual performing the job. A job analysis for ergonomics can assist in judging the essential functions of a position and what is important to implement for the health and safety of an employee.

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