Industrial Ergonomics – Q & A
As part of Global Ergonomics Month we will be posting a blog each week in October dedicated to Ergonomics. This week we focus on Industrial Ergonomics.
Q: I thought Ergonomics had to do with desk and office setup. How does Industrial Ergonomics fit in?
A: Ergonomics can definitely involve the proper setup of office space. At its core, Ergonomics strives to ensure that any work space is a healthy fit for an individual. Those who work in industrial settings can definitely have a work space or setting matched to them as well.
Q: Can you provide an example of what is considered Industrial?
A: Industrial Ergonomics is a broad term that can be used to encompass any work setting outside of a traditional office setup. Some examples may include: road workers, healthcare workers or any individuals who work in Manufacturing or Distribution.
Q: Since industrial workers don’t have a desk or office space, what is being compared to ensure a safe match?
A: It’s true – while a traditional desk setup isn’t always available for comparison, other physical elements can be compared. Sometimes, workers have a work bench and tool cabinets instead. The focus might be with assessing the height or reach of those elements. Similarly, any work tools can be compared to ensure a safe match. Factors such as weight, size, repetition, duration and frequency may be assessed. At the end of the day, each industry and job will have different needs. Our assessors have a variety of assessment tools that can be utilized to evaluate differing situations.
Q: What happens if there is an “un-safe” match?
A: In reality, there are two types of outcomes when there is a mismatch between a work space and an individual:
Firstly, there are many factors that an individual cannot easily change about themselves (e.g. height, reach ability, endurance) to fit a workstation. Workers may be tempted to try to conform to the work space anyways, often by working harder/faster/stronger or changing another factor that they can control. The problem with this outcome is that the tissues (e.g. muscles, ligaments) within any individual have a definite breaking point. Imagine an elastic band that is being stretched until it snaps. Human tissue is considered elastic up until that breaking point, where it is then considered plastic (hard and breakable). If those tissues are pushed beyond that breaking point by working harder/faster/stronger, the individual becomes more susceptible to injury.
The second outcome better represents the core function of Ergonomics. Instead of making changes to the individual, the goal is to make changes to the work space. Continuing with earlier examples: work benches can be made to be height-adjustable. Tools of varying sizes and shapes can be implemented. Work demands such as speed, duration, repetition can be adjusted so that they are deemed ergonomically friendly.
Q: What steps do I need to take to get started?
A: Many of our clients reach out when there is a reactive need (e.g. workplace injury, audit recommendation, etc.). While we are happy to support varying needs and timelines, our vision at Apex is to implement proactive, preventative programs. Reach out to Apex today to build or supplement your Industrial Ergonomics program!