3 Common Ergonomics Mistakes

Most companies use ergonomics in some degree to address related to workplace injuries.  Unfortunately, despite their best intentions some companies make major mistakes with ergonomics.  Below are three common mistakes companies make with ergonomics:

Mistake #1:  The Wrong Emphasis

Companies tend to focus on injury rates and then decide to use ergonomics if the rates are higher than what they’d like them to be.  This “after-the-fact” use of ergonomics is antiquated.  In order for ergonomics to be successful it has to be used proactively.  Leading indicators, proactive assessments and integrating ergonomics into design will result in low injury rates (along with gains in productivity and quality).  Continuing to focus on lagging indicators is similar to predicting the score of a football game—after it’s been played.  By then it’s too late as the outcome has been decided.

Mistake #2:  Narrow Scope

“Ergonomics is for safety only” is an all too common view of ergonomics.  Limiting ergonomics to safety limits companies from experiencing all of the benefits ergonomics can provide.  The list of benefits is long so let me highlight two that relate to current operational buzz words:

·        Waste reduction:  Ergonomics combined with Lean will result in greater waste elimination than using lean alone.  Ergonomics assessments identify unnecessary motions and waiting.

·        Quality improvement:  Ergonomics combined with continuous improvement will be much more effective in identifying and eliminating issues that contribute to human error and poor quality.

Mistake #3:  Unsustainable Program

Ergonomics used in isolation or strictly within EHS and bound certain safety parameters is bound to fail.  Ergonomics relies on using a systems approach to be successful.  In the same line of thinking, ergonomics should be integrated with and run similar to continuous improvement and lean programs.  Those programs are company-wide and are applied to all work systems. 

What do you think?