This is the final blog in the 4 part series on the 4 M’s to effective ergonomics systems. The 4th M stands for Momentum! Momentum or energy is continually needed to drive the system on a continual basis. First, momentum is needed in you (me) both inwardly and outwardly. The keys to inward momentum are:
This is the third part out of four in the article series on the 4 M’s to effective and sustainable ergonomics systems. The third M stands for Mindset. According to the Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, mindset means “mental inclination, tendency, or habit”. Another definition is offered by thefreedictionary.com, “A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.” Mindset is the third key principle on which successful ergonomics systems are built. One must determine whose mindset must be understood.
This is the second of the 4 part blog series on the 4 M’s to Effective Ergonomics Systems in the Short and Long Term. The second “M” is Marketing. By marketing I mean that the ergonomics systems and associated projects should have a brand. Consider the following: What company name comes to mind based on the following: a Swoosh and the tagline “Just Do It”? Or what company comes to mind if I tell you the logo is a red bullseye? If you said Nike and Target you’d be correct. What about the company you work for? Does it have a brand—a logo and/or tagline?
In my previous blog I described the how behavioral based safety and ergonomics are not the same and definitely do not utilize the same approach. That being said, companies are really good at identifying “bad” employee behavior and using policy, observations and enforcement to correct it. So the question becomes how do companies who aren’t versed in ergonomics learn how to change behavior through workplace design? Let’s start with a simple framework on which built upon.
There are basically 7 steps to determining design solutions to change behavior.
I recently attended a presentation in which the speaker was trying to make the case that behavioral safety and ergonomics are virtual the same and go hand in hand together. He started off by saying that bad behaviors are caused by bad ergonomics and that good ergonomics can produce wanted (good) behaviors. I totally agreed with him but then he gave the following example:
It’s common for people to make New Year’s resolutions that address their fitness and health. It’s also the time of year that companies develop goals and strategic initiatives for the year ahead as well. One resolution that companies should consider pertains to Total Worker Health™. It used to be that companies only had employee health and safety programs.
If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard that ergonomics is “expensive” I wouldn’t be writing this blog but instead sitting on a beach somewhere. The perception that ergonomics is expensive seems to be a widely held belief in many people I’ve talked to whether they are clients, potential clients or at people I’ve met at conferences, meetings or networking events. I’ve seen this perception prevent the implementation of ergonomic programs at more companies that I’d care to admit. The question that must be asked is, “Is the perception true or false?” The answer is both, true and false, d
The second phase of creating a project brand, in our case an injury prevention (IP) project, is planning. This is the four blog in the series on Branding: Why All Projects Need One. In the last blog I discussed the first phase in the brand campaign which was the pitch. Phase 2 is the PLAN. This is fairly self-explanatory—the Plan identifies the project goals, activities and steps involved. It is also defines who is involved from the key stakeholders to those who will have minimal but necessary involvement. The roles and responsibilities of each person/group involved defined as well a
As a consultant, I find myself asking people their beliefs about ergonomics and find their responses to be quite interesting. It tells me that most have a very limited view of what ergonomics is and where it belongs within their company.
One of my recent clients that had me analyze the design of their products also asked to me assess the human factors of the brand and associated marketing and instructional material. What was very interesting for me was to learn about the process they undertook when developing a brand campaign for their products. That experience serves as part of the basis for this blog. There is much to be learned and can be applied from an external customer focused branding/marketing campaign to an internal project branding/marketing campaign. The framework and phases involved serve as the foundation o
