Why is ergonomics such a concern today

And these injuries result in lost time e. And as is the case in most any industry, time is money. When your best employees are not available to work, then your business is at an immediate disadvantage. By incorporating ergonomics as an everyday practice, businesses and corporations can minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. In the end, employers that focus on employee health and wellness tend to have the happiest and most productive staff, and thus, the most successful and profitable workplaces.

In fact, proper ergonomics is great for business and great for employees. The bottom line is that practicing good ergonomics in the workplace can help office employees and staff avoid injuries at work and help workers to be more efficient and productive. In addition, you can promote a better safety culture, boost morale, and strengthen both company loyalty and a team mentality. Ignoring ergonomics can lead to designs that are likely to fail commercially - as they don't fit the needs of the user.

Ergonomics is an important part of research in the product development process. Its purpose is to increase the safety, comfort and performance of a product or an environment, such as an office. Ergonomics uses anthropometrical data to determine the optimum size, shape and form of a product, and make it easier for people to use.

Ergonomists can help you to identify which user characteristics you should take into account during your design process. This is important when you consider how much individuals vary in terms of:. When you apply ergonomic methods early in the design process, they can often identify opportunities for innovation.

Find out more about the user-centred design process. Physical ergonomics looks at how human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics relate to physical activity. This includes:. How about improving product quality?

In fact, leading companies are integrating ergonomics deeply into all of their operations. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reviewed ergonomics case studies to reveal the impact of ergonomics on business goals like cost savings, productivity and product quality. What did they find? That ergonomics is well worth the investment. Note: You can grab a free copy of our Benefits of Workplace Ergonomics pdf file at the end of this post.