Ergonomics Food for Thought

ERGONOMICS FOOD FOR THOUGHT:Businesses that have implemented ergonomics programs report significant decreases in accidents, injuries, illnesses and health-care costs over time, along with increases in productivity, product quality and worker morale. In Professional Safety magazine, Jerome Foods Inc., a turkey hatching, growing and processing company, reports saving $3 for every $1 spent since instituting its ergonomics program. Similar savings have been reported by the Grumman Corp., Ford Motor Co., and several large food retailers. A large Northwest aerospace company has reported successful projects in their ergonomics program. In a shop where aircraft interiors are installed, engineering controls and work practice changes increased productivity 10-15 percent, which translated into a benefit of more than $200,000. Changes made to a work process at a wire installation shop reduced stressful body posture and lowered the assembly time from eight to six and a half hours.In both instances, employee morale also appears to have improved. The above shows how a little prevention can go a long way and as we like to say "Good Ergonomics is Good Business!