Ergonomy
Ergonomics comes from the Greek
words for work (ergon) and law (nomos) and can be interpreted as "a study
of the laws of work." However, we generally think of ergonomics in the workplace
as the science of designing work to fit the capabilities of workers, thereby
enhancing worker well being.
Some people call ergonomics human
factors engineering. Let's look at an analogy with machinery. If a new machine
is installed in a plant, the responsible engineer will read all the
specifications in the manual that comes with the machine, including operating
and maintenance information, before beginning to operate it. But how about
workers? What are their "specs?" Actually, years of ergonomics
research have resulted in a database that can provide "spec sheets"
on performance of joints and other aspects of human anatomy. This type of data
should be used in designing work, so as to protect the investment in human
capital at least as much as is regularly done for investments in equipment.
OSHA states that one third of all
recordable worker injuries each year result from ergonomic hazards. Such
injuries include upper extremity disorders, often associated with lifting and
repetitive motion, which are on the rise every year. OSHA has estimated the
cost of ergonomic injuries to amount to $15 billion per year.
Obviously workplace injuries are
costly to business, in the form of lost time, worker compensation claims,
reduced productivity, and adverse effects on product quality. Whether good
ergonomic practices are mandated by government or not, they should be mandated
by good business sense, because they pay off.
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