A small to medium sized biotechnology company in the Bay Area presented an ergonomics consultant with a novel process that was part of their research side of the business. The laboratory manager pointed out that a lot of staff were expressing musculoskeletal concerns with the process particularly the high physical demands mixed with awkward postures and forceful exertions. This is when having an ergonomic consultant comes in handy to assist with bringing together a list of best practices that are focused on higher level controls. The ergonomic consultant's approach to system issues are focused on the elimination of ergonomic related hazards through controls. Controls will focus on aspects of the worker relating studies that have been done on human capability such as reach, force, range of motion, etc. Higher level controls are those based on engineering controls, substitution controls, or elimination controls. The reason these types of controls are superior to administrative (training) and equipment or personal protective equipment (PPE) type controls is that they do not rely on employees to behave in a certain way. In the end, we all are human and develop our own habits, techniques, and biomechanics. So, when an ergonomics specialist looks at a task performed by multiple people, they consider the entire population and look at their physical limits allowing the company to understand what their pain points are. By focusing on the items that matter, the company saves valuable time, money, and can prioritize efforts. The end result is much safer workstations that are improved in a way that does not allow the worker to make errors that can cost them an injury. Another part of the puzzle is the ability of the company leadership and consultant to tune into the company culture and find out more of how people and departments integrate. This is one way to ensure that best practices are spread properly and effectively. Another reason that it may be the time to get an ergonomics consultant onboard would be when you find that there are no over the solutions that you know of that are on the market. An ergonomic specialist is an exp,ert and office, laboratory, and industrial furniture, equipment, and tools. So they can help your business find the right solution that can reduce ergonomic related risk factors that your staff would be exposed to. The right engineering control can help eliminate risk entirely in ways like reducing or eliminating push or pull forces, lifting, etc. If you may have a job for an ergonomics consultant at your small to medium sized or growing company, contact a specialist with Ergobility today!