The economics of ergonomics: finding the right fit

HR Magazine, August, 1996 by Dominic Bencivenga

Jim McLean, West Bend's vice president for human resources, said his department worked with employees to evaluate and help choose workstations for the new building. But the West Bend loss control department, which presents ergonomic programs for those the company insures, played the key role in developing the training programs for supervisors and employees. "The important point for HR was in the communication of what was going on," he said. "We wanted to be sure employees felt a part of the process."

Unlike finance officers and facilities and safety coordinators, HR professionals are the ones in every organization who are familiar not only with what a job entails, how it is performed, and what equipment is needed, but also with the employees performing it. As a result, Joyce says, HR can provide a vital link between the people and technology. Because ergonomics focuses on enhancing performance and employee health, Joyce believes HR has important contributions to make. "It's definitely something in the purview of HR, either directly or indirectly."

RELATED ARTICLE: Design a Safe Workstation

Ergonomic injuries are usually based on problems with the physical layout of the workstation and the way work is organized. So, what do employers need to consider to avoid these injuries?

Consultants like John Wick of J and J Consulting in Seattle and Marilyn S. Burroughs, executive director of the Weihe Partnership/Weihe Interiors in Washington, D.C., typically begin by examining the tasks and movements associated with a job, the job requirements, the way employees work, and whether workstations should be deeper to accommodate large monitors and keyboards or provide more lateral room for computer mouse users.

"The properly designed workstation will allow you to avoid the future costs of carpal tunnel and tendinitis," said Wick, a professional ergonomist whose clients include Boeing, General Motors and Hewlett-Packard. "It's job task specific. Will the workstation be used for one task or two or three?"

In designing a floor plan, companies should consider the number of employees who will need privacy, those who will work collaboratively in teams, and whether informal meeting space and quiet rooms for special projects will be needed.

Generally, the ergonomically correct and cost-efficient workstation - preferably located near a window - includes some combination of the following:

* Bright carpets held down by glue that gives off little odor.

* Flexible ergonomic chairs that can be adjusted for seat and arm height, as well as back tension, to ensure good posture.

* Workstations that can be adjusted along with the height and angle of the keyboard trays.

* Glare screens for computer terminals to protect the eyes.

* Task lights that make it easier to read printed materials.

* Light fixtures that reflect light off the bright ceiling.

* A dimmer system that adjusts indoor light to compensate for sunlight within the room.

* A clean, well-maintained ventilation system that pumps in high levels of oxygen to help prevent sick-building syndrome.