By Denean Kelsen, Ergonomics Consultant
Who Should be on an Ergonomics Team to be Most Effective?
An effective ergonomics process requires a diverse and dedicated team to assess, prioritize, and address musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks. Multidisciplinary teams are typically better at problem-solving than teams made up of similar roles or roles from the same segment of the organization. Bringing together those with different expertise, skills, and perspectives will encourage a more comprehensive approach to addressing concerns and suggesting solutions.
However, deciding which departments and job roles should be represented on the ergonomics team, and determining how they may contribute to and benefit from the ergonomics process, can be a significant challenge.
Here are some key job roles to consider including in your ergonomics team, how they might contribute to the process, and which benefits they might gain.
Operators
Operators are the backbone of any ergonomics team. They bring firsthand experience and familiarity with job tasks and work processes. Operators should be included from potentially higher-priority departments or areas and, if relevant, from different shifts. Trainers and line leaders are excellent candidates for the ergonomics team as well.
- Contribution: Expert knowledge of work processes
- Role: Provide insight and feedback on proposed solutions
- Benefit: Provide direct input into changes that affect their work environment
Health and Safety Personnel
Often, the health and safety personnel are the first groups to learn of employee concerns through injury reports and health assessments. These groups include EHS professionals, occupational health nurses, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists. They may be able to pinpoint high-priority jobs or departments, and many have backgrounds aligned with ergonomics and injury prevention.
- Contributions: Health and safety expertise and data on workplace injuries
- Role: Provide health-related insights and monitor the effectiveness of ergonomics improvements
- Benefit: Tailor preventative treatments and safety assessments to align with data found in ergonomics risk assessments
Engineers, Maintenance and Lean Personnel
Engineers and maintenance staff are crucial in implementing and sustaining ergonomics improvements. Their expertise is in designing and modifying workstations, equipment, and tooling. Because many ergonomics improvements also reduce waste, lean personnel may contribute their technical expertise. Additionally, findings in ergonomics job assessments may align with their primary roles.
- Contributions: Technical skills for implementing ergonomics improvements
- Role: Design and implement ergonomic improvements and integrate the implementation into maintenance schedules
- Benefit: Improved designs leading to reduced waste and rework
Management and Leadership
Management and leadership allocate resources, facilitate the scheduling of long-term improvements, and effectively communicate changes throughout the organization. Managers may also assist with gaining operator feedback and are knowledgeable of previous ergonomics projects across the organization. Similarly to the operators, management should come from different departments or areas across the organization.
- Contributions: Resource allocation, communication/feedback and strategic alignment
- Role: Relay information across the organization and advocate for the ergonomics process
- Benefit: Awareness of high-priority areas and roadmap for the improvement process
Administrative Personnel/Human Resources
Administrative personnel may not be as hands-on as others in ergonomics, but groups such as Human Resources should be aware of the ergonomics process. Union representatives may also be a valuable resource when deciding on improvements and changes to workstations, equipment, and tooling. These groups can ensure that the ergonomics process aligns with company policies and labor agreements.
- Contributions: Knowledge of company policies and labor relations
- Role: Communicate ergonomics processes to the workforce and ensure compliance
- Benefit: Awareness of potential changes to the workplace
Defining Roles and Goals Within Your Ergonomics Team
Creating an effective ergonomics team involves more than just assembling the right individuals, even though it is an important early step. It is important to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member and to set clear and measurable goals.
All roles within the ergonomics team contribute significantly to successful change management and sustaining the ergonomics process. All of these roles are capable of completing baseline assessments. Still, the best fit is based on the availability of resources and building the time needed to complete assessments into their existing roles and responsibilities. This article gives a more detailed breakdown of the time needed to complete ergonomics assessments and implement improvements.
By fostering a diverse, collaborative environment where each team member understands their role and the value they bring to the ergonomics process, organizations can create a robust and sustainable approach to workplace ergonomics. This not only leads to improved employee well-being but also contributes to overall organizational efficiency and productivity.