Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace. Reducing or eliminating the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—which affect muscles, nerves and tendons—and their associated costs is an important component in achieving that goal.


Implementing an ergonomic process is effective in reducing the risk of MSDs, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).


“Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary practice,” said Brian Lowe, research industrial engineer in the division of applied research and technology at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati. “It is meant to improve the interaction between the worker and his or her environment to improve safety, productivity and health, and to prevent injury at work.”


Ergonomics applications will vary by company. From the standpoint of electrical equipment design, the goal of ergonomics is to create equipment that is easy to install, maintain and use.


“In the workplace, the goal of ergonomics is to reduce MSDs, sprains and strains, prevent injuries, loss of time, and the cost of those injuries,” said Walt Rostykus, vice president of Humantech, an ergonomics consulting company in Ann Arbor, Mich. “And, most important, [to]create a safe workplace.”


Other benefits of applying good ergonomic principles in the workplace include upgraded productivity through eliminating non-value-added motion, bettering employee retention and improving final quality of work.


“In the office, ergonomic spaces enable employees who work on computers to handle information accurately, and, in the field, ergonomic principles enable electricians to perform installations at the highest levels of quality,” Rostykus said.


Of course, proper planning can support that endeavor.


“Ergonomic risk is best addressed during the design and planning phase,” said Rebecca Cranford, SVP Sustainability, Safety and Environmental, Southwire, Carrollton, Ga.. “Whether we’re installing a new production line, planning a maintenance or construction job, or revamping a process, taking the time up-front to engineer out the wasted motion and error potential while designing into the process innovative tools and equipment that make the job easier and more efficient pays dividends. This type of thinking doesn’t just prevent injuries, it saves time and money. It can be a challenge, though. Improvement only comes with change, and change is hard.”


A good ergonomics process will cover all work, whether in the office or in the field, according to Peter Budnick, CEO of ErgoWeb Inc., Carefree, Ariz. 


“However, there are different approaches to ergonomics, based on the working environment,” he­ said. 


For example, in the office, where people are sitting in front of their computer for much of the day, the best approach to developing and maintaining effective ergonomics is through online training, assessment and self-help resources that can track employee ergonomic improvements and problem resolution.


Developing an ergonomics program for field employees requires more time and more in-person training that will supply the knowledge and tools required to recognize ergonomic improvement opportunities that will more effectively improve their approach.


“The contractor will need some level of expertise to develop and maintain an ergonomics process, either with in-house personnel, or through a well-vetted, third-party professional that can offer evidence-based advice,” Budnick said.


Although potential job hazards differ between the office and the field, the high-level steps for developing and maintaining an ergonomic program are the same. Key steps are to identify and measure the MSD risks that are present, determine the exposures to MSDs, and put in place the changes that will reduce those risk factors, Rostykus said.


“Contractors should first pursue designing the various ways, or choosing the tools, that will enable field personnel to reduce their risk and then create the work practices that reduce individual risk,” he said.


Management commitment to the ergonomics program is essential, as well.


“The company needs to foster a work culture that encourages employee participation in the program and the early reporting of ergonomic issues,” Lowe said. 


The company also needs to promote awareness of MSD hazards and investigate potential risks before injuries occur.


“Consider MSD issues during project planning to help avoid injuries, including considering how materials are to be handled and disposed of and how works needs to be performed for a safe, injury-free installation,” he said.


The most common barrier is the misunderstanding of the purpose, value and benefits of ergonomics. Because ergonomics is generally perceived as injury-prevention, it is viewed as a safety-compliance issue.


“Although safety is an important component of ergonomics, this approach means that companies don’t benefit from ergonomics’ ability to impact other business metrics beyond the safety department, such as productivity, quality and error reduction,” Budnick said.


Various tools are available to help electrical contractors address ergonomics. Consult OSHA, NIOSH and ANSI A10.40 2007 for more info.