Wondering why industrial engineers need ergonomics training?
Ergonomic specialists at Ergobility share their views on the subject.
Occupational health and safety are crucial factors in determining workers’ best health. All the economic sectors make it a priority to factor in the safety and welfare of their workers to eliminate injury risks. To ensure the best practices are being used, industries take on the challenge of establishing an ergonomic work environment.
However, some sectors like industrial engineering do not have the best ergonomics in practice. It could be due to the complexity of work or the working environment. Industrial ergonomics involves the optimal best work environment for the workers not to affect their performance. To avoid health injuries, timely task performances, and dissatisfied behavior, it becomes important to apply ergonomics for industrial engineers.
Risk Factors Related to Ergonomics
The risk factors related to the lack of industrial ergonomics are not life-threatening. However, they can lead to problems of safety risk and uncooperative behavior. In general terms, these issues are attributed to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 70 million visits are related to MSDs per year. These injuries can range from strained muscle or tissue to spinal disc injury.
Since the work is physically challenging for industrial workers, these injuries and pains go unnoticed because they are disregarded as tiredness and temporary injuries. However, if the industrial workers follow basic ergonomic practices, they can protect themselves from the injuries that prevent them from working. Here are the most commonly reported MSDs:
- Herniated Disc
- Sprained Muscle
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Arthritis
- Muscle Tear
- Pinched Nerve
- Overexertion
How to Prevent Poor Ergonomic Practices?
Even though poor ergonomics would not result in terminal problems, MSDs are bad enough to prevent industrial engineers from meeting their work goals. That’s why it is important to establish the best ergonomic practices so that the workers are at their optimal health with no chances of work-induced fatigue and injury. The best way to incorporate ergonomics is to set measurable work expectations.
Engineers have deadlines to meet and project budgets to crosscheck. They have too much on their plate to apply the best ergonomic practices. Even though safety regulations are a part of their work, for some reason, ergonomics is not considered a priority for that. If industrial engineers can fit ergonomics within their work, they can get the best results without compromising their work performance.
Another thing to consider for ergonomics is the use of design tools. Different engineering teams work with a different set of anthropometric information, resulting in various design criteria. Due to the differences, the maximum forces, height, tool size, etc., change based on an engineering team. The variety in design tools is also one of the reasons for poor ergonomics. If industrial engineers can use the same tools, they can prevent MSDs.
Come to Ergobility for Best Ergonomic Practices for Industrial Engineers!
At Ergobility, we value the importance of safety and health practices that prevent injuries, bad attitudes, and work delays, which is why we offer evaluation for personnel and provide a report on the best practices for a particular group or industry. Get in touch with us today to learn the best ergonomics for your industrial engineers!
