Page number 2

Poor Ergonomics can cost your company dearly US$15-20bn. That is what ergonomics-related injuries cost American businesses in compensation every year according to the the US Department of Labor (OSHA). The bureau statistics shows, that such injuries accounted for 380.600 days away from work cases in 2013. That is one-third of the total number of called-in days absent. Furthermore, employee’s suffering from poor ergonomics has an average of 11 sick days a year. Other work-related injuries account for only 8 per employee on average. A broad variety of industries suffer from poor ergonomics. From manufacturing, agriculture, and construction, to transportation, warehousing, and even healthcare, and entertainment/recreation. The typical culprits are lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, repetitive movement to perform similar tasks, and generally working in awkward postures. Also sedentary work can influence ergonomics negatively. As an employer it is your responsibility to ensure workers stay safe, to avoid loss of productivity, and to keep costs of occupational illness and injuries to a minimum. That is why Production Ergonomics also matters to you! 5 obvious benefits of ergonomics: • Reduces costs • Improves productivity • Improves quality • Improves employee engagement • Creates a better safety culture 5 ergonomic trends: • Being proactive • Integrating the process • Engaging others • Moving upstream • Addressing the office 2

Page number 3

Musculoskeletal disorders you can avoid Ergonomics is all about fitting a job to your employee. Improved ergonomics helps lessen muscle fatigue and in many cases avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The MSDs typically comprise of bone, joint and muscle problems affecting the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, or spine. 20.1% of all reported workrelated health problems account for bone, joint or muscle problems affecting the shoulders, neck, arms and hands 29.5% of all reported work-related health problems account for bone, joint or muscle problems affecting the back 3

    ...