Leveraging Technology to Drive Workplace Ergonomics OHS | 06.01.2020 by Josiah Allen Just as methods for long-distance communication have
organization to be involved with the ergonomics process,
changed over the years, so have those used to facilitate an
thus making the likelihood of success much higher.
effective and sustainable ergonomics process. Where we were once restricted with face-to-face and pen-to-paper
LEARNING
techniques, remote work and easy-to-use assessment
Workplace training has evolved throughout the years with
methods make the development and maintenance of a
increased access to technology and better understanding
top-tier ergonomics team more attainable than ever. This
about how adults learn. While traditional training focused
article will share some key changes in technology that
on telling people, research is showing—and actions are
apply specifically to maintaining an effective ergonomics
proving—that the best way for learning to have a sustained
process and how to leverage those changes to mitigate
impact is to make lessons self-paced and action-oriented.
musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors, injuries and costs
Compare higher education 20 years ago versus today:
at both the micro and macro level.
lecture-style learning meant students scratched notes
There are three primary components that fit together to
in shorthand to be reviewed later when studying key
create an effective ergonomics process:
concepts, while today’s classrooms increasingly rely on
• Learning—the methods by which people understand what ergonomics is, what it is not and how they can improve jobs by applying ergonomics principles • Doing—the process and methods by which people quantify MSD risk factors and engage employees • Managing—the methods by which people quantify risk reduction and track return on investment
online videos, interactive quizzes and podcasts to enhance learning and knowledge retention. The diversity of learning tools isn’t the only advancement we have been able to leverage over the years. Health and safety professionals understand that doing more with less has become the mantra of most companies, and “lean” is a common term. But until recently, most of the education provided to employees required hiring a
Technological advances have made access to these three
subject matter expert to come on site and deliver the
components easier than ever, allowing everyone in an
message. This method limits the size of the audience,
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