Participatory Ergonomics
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[edit] Introduction
Industrial Ergonomics programs seek to identify and correct factors that negatively impact the physical health of their workers. Participatory ergonomics programs seek to maximize the involvement of the workers in this process based on the simple fact that a worker is an expert on his or her job. The participatory approach to ergonomics relies on actively involving workers in implementing ergonomic knowledge, procedures and changes with the intention of improving working conditions, safety, productivity, quality, morale and/or comfort.
[edit] Implementing a participatory ergonomics program in the workplace
In order to determine if an ergonomics team/committee is right for your workplace, there are five important factors that need to be considered.
[edit] Resources and Support
A successful participatory ergonomics program requires initial and continuing resources and support from the top levels of management within the organization. The resources required include:
- time for the program to develop
- time to develop and implement solutions
- financial resources to make meaningful changes in the workplace
- management support for the individuals on the ergonomics team.
[edit] Ergo Team formation
The ergonomics committee should be composed of 6 to 8 people with the right mix of skills including technical or engineering knowledge, worker knowledge and input from an ergonomics expert. Successful, sustainable participatory ergonomics programs have an individual on the committee who takes on a leadership or "ergonomics champion" role.
[edit] Training needs
Training principles and methods are central to the success of the participatory ergonomics process. There are three major aspects to training that should be considered early in the process of implementing a participatory ergonomics program. The Ergonomics committee members need initial training in ergonomics which should include, but is not limited to ergonomics concepts and tools. Depending on who is selected to be on the ergonomics committee and their past experiences with committee work and implementing workplace changes, it is likely that informal training on "non-ergonomic" topics such as meeting management and project management may be required. Additionally, it is important for the workforce to gain an understanding of ergonomics to improve the support for the participatory ergonomics process.
[edit] Workplace organization factors
There is limited discussion in the research literature of the effect of the organization’s characteristics on the success of a participatory ergonomics intervention. The organizations climate and the timing of the introduction of the participatory ergonomics program can affect the program outcomes. Integrating the participatory ergonomics program into the organizations' existing health and safety programs can increase the chances of success.
[edit] Involving the workforce in ergonomics
The ergonomics committee needs to respond to expectations about the ergonomics program. It is imperative to gain support or "buy in" from the workforce as most will not be directly involved with the ergonomics committee. The ergonomics program needs to be visible within the organization; this can be accomplished by ensuring that there is a focused effort to communicate with the workforce and by involving key stakeholders in all changes that are investigated and implemented.
[edit] Ongoing Research
Tanya Morose, under the the guidance of Dr. Richard Wells, at the University of Waterloo's Center of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) is conducting an ongoing study on Participatory Ergonomics. The goal of the study is to determine if a wiki-style website is a good way of sharing and disseminating academic findings with industry stakeholders and practitioners. This article is a summary of the official research website and is used here with permission. The study concludes in early 2007.
CRE-MSD is funded in large part by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
