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Ergonomics and the Balance Between Productivity and Safety

May 22, 2023
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Ergonomics and the Balance Between Productivity and Safety

New technology and approaches have made balancing productivity and safety easier for businesses. Yet, some companies with vast resources fail to meet safety and compliance goals because they prioritize output over everything else.

Thankfully, companies don't need to choose between employees' safety or productivity; they can have it all. In this article, we will explore ways organizations can meet productivity thresholds while still making workers' safety their top priority.

The struggle of balancing safety and productivity

Companies often struggle to balance workplace safety and productivity because they seem like opposing priorities. While a safe workplace can reduce the risk of workplace injuries and worker compensation claims, it can also be time-consuming and costly to implement.

On the other hand, a highly productive workplace can be more efficient and profitable, but it may require workers to work longer hours or take on more physical demands, which can increase the risk of workplace injuries.

There is also a persistent negative perception that safety measures can hinder productivity. For example, workers may feel that personal protective equipment can be uncomfortable and impede their ability to work efficiently or that safety procedures can take time away from other tasks, which can drain productivity.

Finally, companies may find it challenging to balance workplace safety and productivity if they do not clearly understand the costs and benefits of safety measures. For example, investing in ergonomic workstations or safety training programs may require an upfront investment. Still, they can lead to cost savings over time through reduced worker compensation claims, increased productivity, and improved employee retention rates.

Companies focusing solely on short-term productivity gains may overlook the long-term benefits of investing in workplace safety. Here are several actionable steps leaders and risk managers can take to find the seemingly elusive balance between safety and productivity.

Evaluate the safety risks before implementing process changes

Evaluating risks before implementing process changes can help companies improve safety and productivity by identifying potential hazards. For example, ergonomic risks can arise when workers must perform physically demanding tasks, use heavy equipment or tools, or remain in awkward positions for extended periods.

Analyzing the work environment and assessing the physical demands of potential changes to tasks help companies proactively identify potential hazards before they exist and tweak their process to reduce or eliminate them from the start. In addition, evaluating ergonomic risks can help companies improve efficiency and reduce costs by optimizing workflows and reducing waste.

By examining tasks, companies can identify opportunities to streamline processes and eliminate unnecessary steps, reducing the physical demands on workers and improving their overall productivity. For example, they may redesign workstations to eliminate excessive reaching or bending, use lighter tools and equipment, or implement automation to reduce the need for repetitive manual tasks.

When designing efficiency improvements, companies should evaluate the ergonomic risk impact of any changes in parallel. With the help of modern risk assessment technology, organizations can quickly assess the injury risk impact of any change while exploring new productivity approaches.

Address factors contributing to worker fatigue

When workers are tired, they are more likely to make mistakes, have slower reaction times, and be less attentive to their surroundings. This fatigue can lead to an increased risk of workplace accidents and injuries, which can have high financial and human costs for companies.

Fatigue can also harm productivity. When workers are exhausted, they may have difficulty concentrating, leading to reduced efficiency and lower-quality work. Fatigue can also contribute to absenteeism, as workers may need time off to recover from fatigue's physical and mental effects.

Many factors can contribute to workplace fatigue, including long work hours, inadequate sleep, heavy workloads, and physically demanding work. Additionally, shift work and irregular work schedules can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to fatigue and decreased productivity.

Companies can take several steps to address the impact of fatigue on workplace safety and productivity. Providing workers with regular breaks and rest periods helps to reduce physical and mental fatigue and improve overall productivity.

Another critical step is to reduce the physical demands of work, particularly for jobs that involve heavy lifting or repetitive motions. By incorporating ergonomic principles into the design of workstations and equipment, companies can reduce the risk of physical strain and fatigue on workers.

Finally, fatigue makes it difficult for a worker to maintain steady and consistent output, impacting efficiency and increasing the chance of injury due to shortcuts to alleviate the pain. Finding ways to quickly identify and address sources of fatigue and the risky movements they contribute to will help your workers stay safe and operate at their best.

Improve employee morale  

Employee morale can have a profound impact on productivity and workplace safety. Employees who are satisfied and engaged in their work are more likely to be productive, efficient, and safety-conscious. Conversely, when employee morale is low, productivity and safety can suffer.

Employees who do not feel valued by their employer are less likely to put forth their best effort or to be efficient in their work. Additionally, low morale can lead to increased absenteeism and turnover, which can further impact productivity.

In terms of workplace safety, low morale can also have negative consequences. For example, unhappy employees may be less likely to pay attention to safety protocols or to take safety seriously. Additionally, low morale can lead to increased stress, impacting physical and mental health and increasing the risk of workplace injuries.

Companies can take several steps to address employee morale's impact on workplace safety and productivity. One critical step is to invest in employee engagement and satisfaction programs, such as providing competitive compensation and benefits packages, offering opportunities for professional development and advancement, and creating a positive work environment that values and respects employees.

Additionally, companies can work to create a strong safety culture within the organization. Some steps include providing regular safety training and education, encouraging employees to report safety concerns or hazards, and investing in ergonomics to reduce physical stress on workers' bodies.

Invest in improvements to workplace ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging workspaces, equipment, and tools to promote worker safety, comfort, and efficiency. By investing in ergonomics, companies can create a work environment that reduces the risk of injuries and boosts productivity and efficiency.

One of the primary benefits of ergonomics is that it can reduce the physical strain and fatigue associated with many workplace tasks. For example, workstations that support good posture and reduce physical stress can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis.

Investing in ergonomics can also improve productivity by reducing the time and effort required to perform workplace tasks. Reducing physical strain and the need for workers to reach, stretch, or bend in uncomfortable ways means workers can complete tasks more efficiently and with fewer errors.

Address worker turnover

In today's current environment, where it's still hard to hire and retain employees, companies that don't address ergonomics concerns and general safety are likelier to see employees leave for companies that do. This cycle of constantly needing to hire new employees comes with steep costs and can significantly impact productivity.

When employees leave an organization, their knowledge, skills, and experience leave with them, leading to a loss of productivity and efficiency. Additionally, turnover can disrupt work teams and lead to increased stress and decreased morale, further impacting productivity.

In terms of workplace safety, turnover can also have negative consequences. New employees may not have the same level of experience or training as the employees they are replacing, leading to an increased risk of workplace injuries or accidents.

High turnover rates can create a sense of instability in the workplace, leading to increased stress and decreased safety awareness among employees. In addition, when employees constantly leave, it can be challenging to establish a sense of trust and teamwork among workers, leading to decreased safety awareness and reduced willingness to work collaboratively to promote safety.

Companies can take several steps to address employee turnover's impact on workplace safety and productivity. One essential step is to invest in effective onboarding and training programs for new employees to ensure they know and understand how to apply safety protocols.

Making employees comfortable at work by investing in ergonomics is also an excellent way to reduce turnover. People who go home exhausted or hurt regularly are more likely to seek other employment.

By addressing the impact of turnover on workplace safety and productivity, companies can create a safer and more efficient work environment while improving employee satisfaction and reducing costs.

Finding the balance

Modern technology is another tool helping companies find the elusive balance between safety and productivity. For example, computer vision solutions automate many of the steps above so your organization can seamlessly incorporate safety into productivity discussions.

At first, workplace safety and productivity can seem like opposing priorities. However, with a targeted, proactive approach, companies no longer need to choose between one or the other; they can have it all.

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