If you’re an ergonomist, EHS professional, or business leader in search of practical tips and proven methods to deploy and strengthen ergonomics programs, overcome common challenges, and achieve success through technology – look no further! Get the insights you need to take your ergonomics program to the next level during our Ergonomics Virtual Conference on April 15th.
This half-day event features five sessions hosted by Certified Professional Ergonomists, including a customer case study with AGCO Corporation, educational sessions, and a quick tour through the Velocity Ergonomics Solution. VelocityEHS will team up with best-in-class ergonomics partners, Fit For Work and Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics, for CPE-lead sessions.
10:00 – 10:30 AM EDT
How AGCO Deployed and Sustained an Effective Ergonomics Initiative
Speakers: Walid El-Sayed, Global Director of Materials Management, AGCO Corporation
Blake McGowan, CPE, Solution Executive, VelocityEHS
AGCO Corporation is an American agricultural machinery manufacturer headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, United States. A challenge that AGCO faced was creating an ergonomics process in a unique environment that commonly contains long cycle time operations and few classic workstations. This customer case study will highlight their efforts to overcome their challenge, utilizing the continuous improvement spirit of an ergonomics process to build skill across the organization, and more importantly, build excitement to ensure the process is sustained.
Topics include:
- The necessary planning prior to implementation of a global ergonomics process (North America, South America, European locations).
- The best practices of how AGCO improved the workplace by developing effective solutions, even when there are few succinct workstations.
- How AGCO engaged and supported personnel, including Industrial Engineers, Operations and the Lean teams to truly create an ergonomics process supported by the entire organization.
10:40 – 11:10 AM EDT
Five Tips for Strengthening Ergonomics within JSAs
Speaker: Jaclyn Faraci, CPE, CSP, Senior Solution Consultant, VelocityEHS
Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a vital tool for identifying and managing risk in an organization. It involves breaking down work into job tasks and paying close attention to employees as they perform the tasks, use tools, and interact with the work environments. Once hazards are identified, you can then initiate corrective actions to reduce risk. There is a linkage between ergonomics and JSA, and we’re about to uncover five actionable strategies to help strengthen considerations within JSAs. During this session, we will discuss how JSAs enable proactive management of ergonomics, and how this methodology can integrate within other aspects of your health and safety programs.
Topics include:
- How to use JSAs to identify ergonomics hazards through prioritization
- Creating targeted ergonomics interventions using JSAs
- Using JSAs to allow for employee involvement and feedback
11:20 AM – 12:05 PM EDT
Common Reasons Why Workplace Ergonomics Deployments Fail
Panelists: Kendra Perdeaux, CPE, Director, Customer Success and Ergonomics Engineer, VelocityEHS
Rick Barker, CPE, CSP, Senior Director, Solution Strategy, VelocityEHS
Mitch Carswell, CPE, Manager of Growth and Technology, Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics – a VelocityEHS partner
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common injuries in the workplace. The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index consistently shows that overexertion injuries from activities such as lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, or pulling are the leading cause of injury across industries, and awkward working postures also rank in the top ten. During this session, certified professional ergonomists from VelocityEHS and partner Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics will discuss the common reasons why organizations fail to deploy an effective and sustainable ergonomics program.
Topics include:
- The common reasons why workplace ergonomics deployments fail.
- The typical causes of these failures.
- How to avoid these failures.
- How to develop and deploy a formalized and sustainable ergonomics process.
- Examples of what a good approach and management system for ergonomics looks like.
12:15 – 12:45 PM EDT
Biomechanics and AI: Enhancing Ergonomic Risk Analysis for Injury Prevention and Workplace Efficiency
Speakers: Rachel Zoky, CPE, Senior Strategic Consultant, VelocityEHS
Ashley Mayo, PT, DPT, AEP, Ergonomic and Injury Prevention Specialist, Fit For Work – a VelocityEHS partner
How does biomechanics enhance AI-powered ergonomic systems that use sensorless motion capture to assess musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks? By analyzing biomechanical data such as posture, joint angles, and repetitive movements, the AI system produces a detailed risk analysis of workplace tasks. A strong foundation in biomechanics enables experts to accurately interpret this data, identify root causes of high-risk behaviors, and recommend targeted ergonomic improvements. During this session, VelocityEHS and partner Fit For Work will dive further into how utilizing this technology enhances your ergonomics program.
Topics include:
- How biomechanics improves the accuracy of AI-driven ergonomic risk assessments.
- How experts use biomechanical data to identify root causes of musculoskeletal disorder risks and recommend ergonomic improvements.
- Real-world applications where biomechanics and AI have enhanced workplace safety and reduced injury risks in industrial settings.
12:55 – 1:25 PM EDT
Transform Workplace Health & Safety with Industrial Ergonomics on Accelerate
Speaker: Jaclyn Faraci, CPE, CSP, Senior Solution Consultant, VelocityEHS
Now that you’ve learned about common mistakes, best practices, and the science behind the technology, it’s time to see how the VelocityEHS Industrial Ergonomics software can improve your ergonomics process! This powerful solution leverages AI to provide the most comprehensive 3D MSD risk assessment available, and expert guidance for root cause analysis and control selection. It’s the complete system for reliable, proactive risk MSD reduction, with everything you need to easily train workers, prioritize efforts for maximum impact, and track progress. Join us for a high-level, live demonstration of the software — your key to creating a healthier, more productive workplace.
Bonus! VelocityEHS Industrial Ergonomics is now available on the Accelerate Platform — the industry’s first fully integrated EHS solution. This platform combines Industrial Ergonomics, Operational Risk, Safety, and Chemical Management into a single, seamless platform that showcases a user-friendly design, centralized admin, and enhanced visibility. Tune in during this session to also get a peek into the Operational Risk component, focused on the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) capability.
Meet the Speakers
Blake McGowan, CPE
Solution Executive, VelocityEHS
Blake McGowan has over 25 years of experience helping global manufacturing organizations deploy and sustain formalized ergonomics processes and achieve best-in-class performance. Blake received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Extension Studies, Management Field, from Harvard University. Blake has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE).
Jaclyn Faraci, CPE, CSP
Senior Solutions Consultant, VelocityEHS
Jaclyn Faraci provides technical and scientific expertise to support the VelocityEHS sales and product teams, helping organizations worldwide enhance their EHS and ESG processes. Jaclyn completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Kinetics and a Master of Science degree in Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor. She is currently a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), as well as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Kendra Perdeaux, CPE
Director, Customer Success and Ergonomics Engineer, VelocityEHS
Kendra Perdeaux oversees the VelocityEHS customer base to ensure customers obtain their desired EHS and ESG goals and have the resources and tools necessary to drive success in their workplace. Kendra received a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. She has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE).
Rick Barker, CPE, CSP
Senior Director, Solution Strategy, VelocityEHS
Rick Barker facilitates knowledge-building activities relating to safety management systems, industrial ergonomics, human performance, and human factors. Rick holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Factors from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Mitch Carswell, CPE
Manager of Growth and Technology, with Velocity partner Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics
Mitch Carswell has been in the field of ergonomics for nearly seven years with an interest in advanced ergonomic assessment methodologies, especially motion capture and digital human modelling. He has a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor, a post-graduate certificate in Advanced Ergonomic Studies and has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE).
Ashley Mayo, PT, DPT, AEP
Ergonomic and Injury Prevention Specialist, a Velocity partner Fit For Work
Ashley joined Fit For Work in 2022 and provides ergonomics and injury prevention services to a variety of clients in the industrial industry, including the manufacturing, food distribution, and construction sectors. Ashley has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Utica University and is an Associate Ergonomic Professional (AEP).
Rachel Zoky, CPE
Senior Strategic Consultant, VelocityEHS
Rachel Zoky partners with clients to improve workplace well-being and productivity through comprehensive ergonomics solutions. Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University. She has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist and is the acting Membership Chair for the American Society of Safety Professionals Ergonomics Practice Specialty.