Ergonomists and Ergonomic Consulting Companies Have Performance Standards Ergonomists just like other professional consultants have objective guidlines such as the time between a request and performing ergonomic evaluations. Most contracts with companies include performance standards that are measured against an industry standard. For instance, a standard that has been set by a competitive or previous ergonomics services company. The three most common ergonomic services standards are speed of service, effectiveness at reducing risks/issues, and reducing reported employee discomfort. Responsiveness and Speed of Services A company typically desires a highly responsive consultant. This is key since when an employee suggests to their employer that they are experiencing work related discomfort, time is of the essence. It helps boost morale immediately and gets the employee on the right track by reducing the ergonomic risks that are associated with causing the discomfort. Some companies may take weeks to provide onsite ergonomic evaluations. This is not acceptable, and it is suggested to select an ergonomics company that can provide services within a week time. Once a request is made, the process of scheduling should start within a day and the lead time to complete the reports should be ready within two working days. Effectiveness at Reducing Ergonomic Risks and Issues When you talk about an effective ergonomic consultant, it comes down to how good they would be and identifying the risk factors of ergonomic injuries and illnesses present and then how to best resolve them in a cost effective and quick way. Sometimes the ergonomic consultant will propose temporary immediate solutions along side more highly effective ones that may take more time to implement. The key is that everything has been done within reason to stop the cycle of progression of the ergonomic illness. They should use equipment, training, coaching, etc. of all sorts to battle the causes. Reducing Ergonomic Related Injuries This is a primary concern for businesses as it effects employee productivity, employee morale and of course their insurance premiums, To find such an ergonomic consultant you want to look at online ratings, referrals, and credentials. The top rated ergonomic consultants can be found on Google or Yelp or by word of mouth. LinkedIn is a way to connect with colleagues in the field and also check on their background and experiences. They will also post their credentials which can be checked by verifying on the Board of Certification sites such as the BCPE (Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists). If you want to know where to look for qualified ergonomic consultants in the San Francisco Bay Area, go to Ergobility.