What Are the Top 5 Aspects of Ergonomics in a Plant?
Any time that manual labor and machinery are part of the job, workplace health and safety take on a whole new level of importance. Knowing which factors to consider and how they could potentially impact workers is crucial to a healthy and productive environment. Overall, there are 5 aspects of ergonomics that should be given careful consideration at work. These components ultimately help to inform best practice and predict future success.
Top 5 Aspects of Ergonomics in a Plant
Those in the industry often agree that the top 5 aspects of ergonomics in a plant include safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity, and aesthetics. While specific details may vary from job to job, there is no doubt that factory workers can benefit from a broad spectrum of ergonomic solutions. Let us take a closer look at the importance of each aspect and how it can influence plant operations.
Safety
Of course, safety is paramount to ergonomics in a plant. This is, perhaps, the greatest of all considerations. A safe working environment means that equipment and assistive tools used on-the-job are designed to protect the worker from any potential harm.
Dr. Kevan Orvitz, Founder & President of MEGAComfort tells Manufacturing Business Technology that:
“Since operating machinery and standing are among the most dangerous threats to a manufacturing plant worker’s safety, training and personal protection equipment (PPE) should be an employer’s primary focus.”
It is imperative that a culture of safety is promoted from the top down, including the buy-in of upper management, who lead by example on the floor. The provision of initial (and ongoing) safety training for staff, and regular machine maintenance are both part of a proactive safety strategy. Visible safety reminders should also be posted in the immediate vicinity of the operating equipment and assistive devices.
Comfort
While comfort may seem like a luxury in the abstract, this ergonomic component enhances overall safety and productivity. For instance, imagine trying to work on an assembly line in heels. After a very short time, you just might find yourself nursing swollen feet and a twisted ankle, not to mention slowing down production in the process. Now picture this same scenario in an overheated warehouse!
Workplace comfort begins with appropriate support, including footwear, clothing, protective gear, and assistive technology. Repetitive movements and over-exertion can compromise comfort and safety, particularly during the long shifts that are often required of factory workers. Temperature is also key to comfort and energy consumption. Any supportive measures which offer sustained comfort are highly desirable in such a hands-on, physically demanding environment. In other words, the right equipment is expertly designed to accommodate specific worker functions, over a prolonged period. Examples of these ergonomic solutions include in-plant lift products, industrial trucks, lift assist solutions, and HVLS fans.
Ease of Use
Another of the 5 aspects of ergonomics in a plant, ease of use refers to user-friendly worksite equipment and practices. Nobody should be straining themselves unnecessarily to accomplish a job task. The repetition of awkward movements can place stress on various parts of the body and cause injuries that worsen over time. Ease of use should be implemented through sensible protocol and innovative technology. Consider, for example, a lift assist solution. Rather than manually lifting heavy products, use an assistive device to help with loads over a designated weight. Sometimes the best ergonomic solutions are the simplest.
Performance
It goes without saying that performance plays a critical role in the success of a commercial business. If productivity is low, profit will soon follow. However, plant productivity and ergonomic solutions are not mutually exclusive concepts. In fact, they go hand-in-hand together. A happy, healthy workplace leads to increased productivity. Likewise, high productivity makes for happier, healthier workers. When a workplace is equipped with the right ergonomic solutions, including the most appropriate assistive devices, everybody wins.
Aesthetics
The beauty of this ergonomic aspect is in the details. It may sound superficial, but aesthetics actually refers to overall clarity and functionality, such as whether or not the protective gear truly helps prevent work-related injuries. Are operation procedures accessible and easy to understand? Is the workstation properly designed for success? If the answer to this stream of questioning is “Yes!” then odds are that the ergonomic solutions set in motion are already serving their intended purpose.
Revenue Loss Prevention
While it’s not one of the 5 aspects of ergonomics in a plant, another key aspect of implementing a sound ergonomics solution is revenue loss prevention. This helps safeguard the company's financial resources and ensures that all potential revenue is captured and retained.
One such area where companies may see substantial revenue losses is payouts for injury claims. Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates back injury claims alone cost an average of $40,000 to $80,000 including medical bills, wage loss benefits and more.
Key Takeaways About the Top 5 Aspects of Ergonomics in a Plant
The top 5 aspects of ergonomics in a plant are all relevant to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. There are many potential benefits to be gained by taking a proactive approach to ergonomics. Here are just a few of the highlights:
- Elevated safety and productivity for everyone
- Increased worker presenteeism and overall retention
- Fewer work-related injuries (thereby protecting workers from harm and saving the company both time and money)
- Faster output with greater profit
- Efficient and cohesive place of employment
Safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics must all be properly addressed in order to form a solid foundation of ergonomic solutions. Once each of these top 5 aspects of ergonomics in a plant are coalescing, an optimal work environment is not only possible, but inevitable.