Conducting an ergonomic assessment is a foundational element of the ergonomics process. Your ergonomics improvement efforts will never get off the ground without being able to effectively assess jobs in your workplace for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors.
Systematically conducting ergonomic risk assessments gives you a clear view of the risk present in your workplace. This clear view of MSD risk factors will allow you to effectively communicate, prioritize, and implement workplace improvements. Because ergonomic assessments are the backbone of the ergonomics improvement process, it’s important to be effective and efficient with your assessments.
Step 1: Establish a Common Ergonomic Assessment Method and Set of Tools
Every ergonomic assessment your organization conducts should use the same method and set of tools. Standardizing ergonomic assessments throughout the organization ensures an “apples to apples” comparison of MSD risk factors between jobs. Every ergonomics team member should be trained in conducting and properly documenting each assessment using the same set of assessment tools and documentation methods.
Without a standardized ergonomic assessment method in place, your team will struggle to identify and communicate MSD risk factors. Don’t make this mistake. Instead, start your assessment off on the right foot by taking an organized approach.
Step 2: Involve the Workplace Athletes Performing the Job
The workplace athletes performing the job each and every day are uniquely qualified to help you assess the job. They are the expert of their job. Involving them in the assessment process can generate helpful improvement ideas and gets the workplace athlete’s buy-in early on. They are much more likely to adopt changes to their work environment down the road if you involve them early and often.
Observe the workplace athletes performing the job and ask them questions about their work. Get their opinion on what causes excessive fatigue and how they would improve the job if they could.