What is Ergonomics and Why is it Important?

“Ergonomics” is the study of how workers can avoid these stresses, so they can work more comfortably, more productively, and more safely.

We can encounter several “ergonomic hazards” in our work, such as:

  • Repeating the same motion over and over again without rest.
  • Working in awkward or extreme positions.
  • Using excessive force.

All of these things can cause:

  • Our joints to get sore from overuse.
  • Muscles, ligaments, and tendons to be bruised, strained, and torn.
  • Nerves to be pinched and squeezed.

The more effort you have to use while you’re making repetitive motions or working in awkward positions, the more damage it can cause. While some of these symptoms may seem to be minor inconveniences at the time, these “malfunctions” can lead to painful and even disabling injuries over the long term.

How Industrial Ergonomics Improves Worker Productivity & Reduces Injury Risk

Ergonomics is an essential part of industrial work. It improves worker productivity and reduces injury risk. Industrial ergonomics looks at workplace equipment, processes, and systems to determine what can be done to make it safer for workers. This includes designing new workplaces, modifying existing workplaces, and adjusting job tasks. Workers’ occupational health problems are often caused by the way their body interacts with the workplace or equipment. Industrial ergonomics helps prevent injuries by reducing these types of interactions.

Industrial Ergonomics Solutions for Manufacturing Facilities

The application of ergonomic principles is critical for manufacturing facilities. Increasing numbers of people are employed in manufacturing, and the technology involved in production has changed significantly. As a result, the physical demands on workers have increased. Ergonomics is an essential part of designing these workplaces and keeping them safe and healthy.

The application of Ergonomics is vital for industrial facilities. Over time, more people have become involved in manufacturing, and the technology involved in manufacturing has changed significantly. Consequently, the physical demands on employees have increased, and industrial ergonomics has become a fundamental part of designing safe work environments for workers.

Lifting and Moving Ergonomic

  • Lifting aids– lifting aids help with lifting, turning, or placing objects to reduce unpleasant and potentially harmful twisting and bending.
  • Lift-assist mechanisms — by utilizing tools to raise objects, the pressures on the worker’s body is considerably decreased.
  • Transportation gadgets– instead of lifting, carrying, pushing, or dragging materials, transportation devices can be used to eliminate the need to move objects by hand.
  • Raise within the “lifting safety zone”– elbow joint to knuckle elevation.
  • Use proper lifting strategies.
  • Decrease the amount of lifting required, specifically hefty load.

Uncomfortable Postures

Unnatural body positions can create stress and injuries to muscular tissues as well as various other soft tissues.

  • Work areas should be at the ideal elevation for the task to reduce the frequency of bending or reaching.
  • The most commonly-used tools should be closest to the worker, and the least commonly-used tools should be further away.
  • Workstations must be developed to allow the worker to be as safely and comfortably near the equipment and task as possible.
  • Knee pads, as well as stools, must be readily obtainable to eliminate the need for squatting or bending over.

Repetitive/Sustained Awkward Postures.

Uncomfortable stances place too much force on joints and overload the muscles and tendons around the affected joint. Joints of the body are most efficient when they run closest to the mid-range motion of the joint. The risk of musculoskeletal disorders is increased when joints are operated beyond this mid-range over and over again or for sustained periods of time without ample rest time.

Control methods to consider:

Work Technique Controls — Implement work procedures that minimize awkward body positions. Additionally, employees ought to be educated on proper ergonomics and motivated to utilize their bodies correctly and also to stay clear of awkward postures whenever possible.

Task Rotation — Job rotation is a means to reduce repetitive motions that can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Stretch Breaks– Implement rest or stretch breaks to combat the stresses of repeated motion tasks, and be sure to allow for sufficient recuperation time.

Reducing the Risk of Hand & Wrist Injuries

Positions that place the least strain on your body are called “neutral positions”. Your hand and wrist are in a “neutral position” when your wrist is straight as if you were “shaking hands”.

  • You can work more comfortably and safely in this position.
  • Working with your wrist in other places can be very stressful and eventually lead to injuries.

Potentially harmful wrist positions include:

  • Extension… bending your wrist up and back.
  • Flexion… bending the wrist down.
  • Deviation… bending your wrist to either side.
  • Supination… turning the palm up by rotating your wrist.
  • Pronation… turning the palm down.

It would help if you took care to limit how often you make these motions, especially when you’re using tools.

Hand and power tools come in all shapes and sizes. Thinking “ergonomically” can help you choose the ones that will help to protect your hands and wrists from injury.

You need to pay attention to the design of the handles.

  • They should be at least as long as the widest part of your hand.
  • Shorter handles place “direct pressure” on your palm, irritating and damaging the tissues inside.

Avoid handles with sharp edges or “finger grips”.

  • Plain round ones put less stress on your hands.
  • Always select tools with handles that will allow you to keep your wrist straight as you use them.

When ergonomic problems affect the arm and shoulder, it can lead to conditions such as tendinitis and bursitis. You can prevent these problems by avoiding certain hazardous motions while you work, such as:

  • Extension…reaching backward.
  • Abduction… raising your arm out to the side.
  • Adduction… reaching across the body.

Instead, work with your upper arms at your sides, with your elbows bent about 90 degrees, so your forearms and hands are in front of you. This neutral position will put the least amount of stress on your body.

To achieve this 90-degree hand-elbow-arm angle, you can adjust yourself or the environment where you’re working.

  • If you’re in a chair, you should raise or lower it as necessary.
  • If you’re working at a bench or table, raise or lower it.

If your work surface is not adjustable, you can still:

  • “Lower” it by standing on a platform.
  • Or raise whatever it is you’re working on by placing it on a pad or stand.

What are the Goals of Industrial Ergonomics & Why It Matters to Your Company

There are many goals of Industrial Ergonomics, but the two main ones are improving work efficiency and reducing strain. The goal is not to replace workers but instead make the job easier. It is always essential for your company to have worker safety in mind.

Industrial Ergonomics has been around since the late 1920s, when Otto Von Guericke invented it. It focuses on studying how the shape, construction, or use of things affects comfort, productivity, and health.

Conclusion: The Importance of Industrial Ergonomics and What it Means For Your Business

Industrial ergonomics is the study and design of work systems that promote human beings’ safety, health, and productivity while considering the machine-human interface.

Industrial ergonomics is a term coined by engineers to describe a field that deals with understanding and improving the interaction between humans and other elements in their working environment.

The main goal of this field is to minimize or eliminate negative human factors such as fatigue, strain or vibration to create a comfortable and safe environment for workers.

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