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Ergonomics ROI with Dr. Alan Hedge | E2

April 19, 2023
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Understanding the ROI of Ergonomics

Episode 02: Show Notes

Dr. Alan Hedge is a Professor Emeritus in Human Centered Design at Cornell University. He is a thought leader in design and ergonomics, having published exhaustive works on the subject. He also acts as Advising Chief Scientist for TuMeke Ergonomics. Today, he is here to share his insights on what return on investment means in relation to ergonomics. This episode includes a research-based dollar value associated with ergonomic investment while acknowledging that this number is based on injury prevention alone. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the many benefits to your company and your employees far exceeding that number.

Starting with the measurable metrics of presenteeism and absenteeism, Dr. Hedge explains how good ergonomic design boosts health and happiness, leading to improved skill, productivity, and innovation. This episode also explores the fallout that can occur when ergonomic design is overlooked and offers a broader metric by which to measure return on investment. We touch on success timelines, side effects, and a truer definition of ergonomic support beyond common misconceptions. Dr. Hedge offers insights into national standards for ergonomic implementation, the greatest challenges ergonomists face, and much more. Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points From This Episode:

Ergonomic interventions are implemented across the globe. But it’s only the USA that asks about its return on investment. The answer comes from long-term research and injury data. It’s an $18 return for every dollar you invest in ergonomics. The ROI is 17:1, so 1 dollar returns 18 dollars (17+1). This is based on analysis of 2,547 compensable WRMSDs. WRMSDs cost $1 of every $3 spent on workers’ compensation.


But the benefits far exceed injury prevention. Studies show that great ergonomics programs boost presenteeism, reduce absenteeism, and impact recruitment potential as more young people learn about ergonomic support's importance.

Dr. Hedge explains why product quality improves when strong ergonomic principles are implemented. Along with fewer defects and flawless finishings, good ergonomics empower employees to do the same job in a more skilled way, making fewer errors and taking less time to complete their tasks. 

Innovation is another proven benefit of good ergonomics programs. People are healthier, happier, more skilled, and more productive, leading to higher personal investment which brings about great ideas.

These are some of the ‘soft metrics’ that illustrate the broad opportunity presented by a good ergonomics program. While there is a calculable dollar value to your investment, the benefits to your company far exceed that amount.

Dr. Hedge expands on this idea, describing the massive fallout that can occur when there is insufficient ergonomic support. Using the example of a neurosurgeon, he warns against the financial implications of replacing that person. 

This happens due to using a single metric as the value proposition. Dr. Hedge offers a much more sophisticated approach; the ROI calculations must be business practice calculations. The result is a panel of measures that indicate how well the business is doing. 

Dr. Hedge implores listeners to give a well-designed ergonomic intervention a chance to produce benefits, ensuring them that it does, time and time again. 

With an ergonomic intervention, there are no side effects. Things, at worse, will not get better, but they won’t get worse! Dr. Hedge shares that there is no downside to good ergonomic intervention. 

Ergonomic design optimizes the relationship between people and technologies to facilitate the necessary work. How can technology support this? There are very few ways to measure the data points. But ergonomics enable you to predict and intervene to prevent injury.

Could ergonomics be considered a form of lifestyle medicine? Dr. Hedge offers his insights on predicting the future, just as a stockbroker would. This act is so essential that Dr. Hedge emphasizes that companies must get serious and sophisticated about ergonomics.

There are 66 iso-ergonomic standards—however, Dr. Hedge informs listeners that none are considered health and safety standards. He cites this as one of the reasons he brought RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) to the United States.

Dr. Hedge reveals the greatest challenge to ergonomic implementation in the USA — its image. However, he isn’t worried about this. That is because any company that implements a good ergonomic investment will see an improvement in ROI. 

There is one ergonomist to every million people in the United States. That’s where using computational technology can change things for the better. This is also where automation enters the conversation. 

Shorter Quotes:

“With great ergonomics programs, you get less absenteeism and more presenteeism; people are there, and they’re on the job, and they’re doing the work, and they love the work that they’re doing.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:05:52]

“Ergonomics is the science of work, not the science of injury prevention.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:07:06]

“Jobs that have been well designed in terms of ergonomics also tend to give you higher levels of efficiency. In other words, you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:07:52]

“You get better innovation when you have really great ergonomics programs.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:08:21]

“The ROI calculations essentially need to be business practice calculations.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:12:31]

“What ergonomics is really about is trying to make sure that you are optimizing performance across the spectrum of the different measures that you think are important to your company.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:16:53]

“I know that any company that implements a good ergonomic intervention is going to see an improvement in ROI.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:33:45]

Longer Quotes:

“Ergonomics is the science of work, not the science of injury prevention. That’s only one component of work. So when you look at the products that people are making or manufacturing, what you see is an improvement in product quality when you have great ergonomics. Fewer defects, better quality and finishing, and people can do the same job in a more skilled way.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:07:06]

“If all you want is a number, then the number is $18 for every dollar that you invest in ergonomics. If you want to look at the bigger picture, boy, if you haven’t got a great ergonomics program in your company, you’re actually missing out on a huge opportunity.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:08:52]

“With an ergonomic intervention, there are no side effects. There are no adverse effects. It’s a one-way street. Things, at worse, will not get better, but they won’t get worse! At best, you will get way, way better. There is no downside to implementing good ergonomic interventions and designing work.” — Dr. Alan Hedge [0:19:02]

Links & Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Alan Hedge on LinkedIn

Dr. Matt Jeffs on LinkedIn

Dr. Matt Jeffs on Twitter

Cornell University
Human Centered Design

TuMeke Ergonomics 

Ability on Demand

Ergonomics ROI 17 to 1, $18 return

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