Nevertheless, it is understood that worker safety, comfort and productivity can all be improved by also fitting the worker to the job through education and fitness. Encouraging and educating workers about fitness is an important part of any comprehensive program for addressing workplace injury and illness.

Thus, a modern program aims at “fitting the job to the worker” as well as “fitting the worker to the job”.

The Current State of Ergonomics

The field of ergonomics has received increased attention in recent years and for good reason. The U.S. workforce has demonstrated higher rates of injury from repetitive motion activities over the last decade than ever before recorded. In response to these and other research findings, both state and federal agencies have examined regulations aimed at improving workplace ergonomics and injury prevention.

Ergonomic programs and regulations have evolved along with our understanding of their importance. The emphasis has shifted from a reactive stance to a more proactive one in order to combat repetitive motion injuries before they become more serious problems. Companies are recognizing the need for more effective and efficient ergonomic interventions. However, the challenges imposed by today’s work pace and often geographically distributed workplaces can compromise the feasibility of traditional ergonomics programs. The implementation of a proven, systems-oriented approach can benefit any business while those with multiple locations also call for an established network of ergonomic professionals to provide consistent, effective, integrated service.