Industry /Trades / Utility / Transportation
What will YOUR Return on Investment (ROI) be? A research review of 250 case studies of ergonomic interventions across many industries found a return of $45.50 for every $1.00 spent, with an average 3-month payback period. (J Safety Research 2008; Goggin et al.)
We offer ergonomic tools to improve employee safety, well-being, and company profit through consultation, training, and products in a variety of industries.
Assess
Through our comprehensive surveys and evaluations, not only do we identify problem areas, we also provide customized and effective recommendations at all levels of the organization.
Individual Evaluations
(1 – 2 hours onsite)
For individual employees with discomfort (early intervention), an injury / restriction, or a diagnosis. A written report describing risk factors, interventions, and recommendations is provided. We send out a symptom survey and consent form prior to the appointment, then review with the individual onsite. We employ an educational approach, make immediate adjustments as able and as appropriate to past or current reported discomfort. Within 10 days of the evaluation, we provide a comprehensive report including the employee concerns, intervention details, before and after photos, and additional recommendations. Assistance with implementation and follow-up is available.
(1 – 2 hours virtual)
For individual employees with discomfort (early intervention), an injury / restriction, or a diagnosis. We send out a symptom survey and consent form prior to the appointment, then review with the individual onsite. After discussing the project, we will have you submit videos, photos, dimension, weights, and other relevant information for both task assessments and context affecting them. We will analyze all the information and data submitted, then provide a written report describing risk factors, interventions, and recommendations. After reviewing the report, we likely will be asked to provide a virtual educational session for the worker. Assistance with implementation and follow-up is available.
(1.5 – 3 hours onsite)
If an employee has an injury or disability requiring accommodation or careful attention to reduce the cause of or aggravating factors, choose our most extensive evaluation. We send out a symptom survey and consent form prior to the appointment, then review with the individual onsite. We employ an educational approach, make immediate adjustments onsite as able, and provide a comprehensive handout. The report has a similar content structure to the Ergonomic Evaluation Report. We also provide two brief remote follow-ups, and circle back to you to close the case – at no additional charge!
(1 – 2 hours onsite)
Enjoy the benefits of having one of our consultants onsite helping one employee learn specific task - oriented biomechanics or alternative work techniques to:
- Ensure safe return to work after an injury
- Prevent an ache or discomfort from turning into an injury or claim
- Improve learning for an employee having difficulty transferring injury prevention techniques at work
- Ensure employees break bad habits and learn safer new ones with one-on-one feedback and coaching
(onsite or virtual)
Length: 20 minutes (per participant)
Our team of experts offers high impact one-on-one ergonomic and/or wellness consultations on a sign-up basis at health fairs. Ergo consultations include office or home ergonomic education. Wellness consultations include general fitness and nutrition education, with bioelectrical impedance body fat testing and interpretation is available on-site only.
Facility - Department - Job - Task Assessments
Don’t know where to start? This company-wide symptom survey is an industry-leading approach to achieve best practices under global safety standards. Administered anonymously to employees, the survey pinpoints areas and intensity of discomfort associated with various job tasks. Our experts analyze the data and provide a summary of findings prioritizing areas of focus to reduce risk factors. When these surveys are used as an ongoing “surveillance” program, they facilitate the assessment and identification of potential health concerns at an early stage, where corrective actions can minimize business impact. This can be repeated at a minimum of 6 months after intervention.
Another approach to accomplish best practices under global safety standards, this company-wide survey solicits employee feedback on perceived risk factors associated with various job tasks such as exertion, repetition, and awkward postures. Therefore, it is the backbone for employee participation in and ownership of continuous ergonomic and safety improvements. We analyze the data and provide a summary of findings. This assists you in recognizing and prioritizing primary areas of focus to reduce ergonomic risk factors. When these surveys are used as an ongoing “surveillance” program, they facilitate the assessment and identification of potential health concerns at an early stage, where corrective actions can minimize business impact. This can be repeated at a minimum of 6 months after intervention.
(onsite or virtual)
This assessment blends lean principles with our “formal” or “observation-only” based ergonomic assessment to increase productivity, efficiency and profitability while also reducing risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort and injuries (aka MSDs). These injuries are almost always the costliest, and they are cumulative in nature.
“Formal” refers to us using standardized ergonomic risk assessment tools, and also always includes our professional observations. “Observational” refers to us using our decades of experience without the formal risk assessment tools. With either approach we will take video and additional measurements as needed for contextual information that aids in interpreting risk and developing solutions.
We prefer to collaborate with your employees as well as in-house lean and/or safety team members and/or managers at a task, job, department or facility level. Either way, we will work closely with employees to understand current work methods and restrictions.
We will review the findings to identify engineering, equipment, process, and work technique solutions that will reduce risk exposure for everyone performing the tasks. The deliverable will be a detailed report with short, mid, and long-term improvement ideas for consideration – often resulting in a 2+- year road map of continuous improvement. We will also end up with good material for developing a custom training (described below).
A wonderful way to leverage this assessment is to dual-purpose what’s learned by having us create custom training materials. The best method to accomplish training and culture change that will “stick” is having us facilitate a Task Force to trial and perfect short-term and mid-term solutions which become the new best practices. See more below in our Education section, under “Custom Training”.
(onsite or virtual)
We use an observational approach to identify biomechanical ergonomic risk factors at a task, job, department or facility level. A summary is provided prioritizing risks/hazards that were observed and providing short-term solutions as well as suggestions for next steps.
(onsite)
A Physical Demands Job Analysis (aka JA) is a written detailed measurement of the physical demands of a job position most useful for jobs in the Medium to Very Heavy physical demand categories or for jobs that are highly repetitive with awkward postures. This detailed document is the backbone of your Return to Work program and can inform your Ergonomic and Injury Prevention efforts. It eliminates the need for the medical provider to rely solely on the injured worker's verbal descriptions of the physical demands of the job -- and we validate ours.
Our validated JA can then be used for:
Hiring and Firing
- Workers compensation claims medical review
- Early and appropriate return to work
- Creation of light duty / modified duty / transitional Return to Work programs
- Creation of a physical ability Pre-Work Screen
- Compliance with the American's with Disability Act (ADAAA) and EEOC
- Informing your Ergonomic and Injury Prevention efforts
We will take measurements needed, such as push/pull forces, grip/pinch forces, and dimensional measurements.
Educate
We provide an array of high impact injury prevention and health and wellness "edutainment" to motivate behavioral change and innovation at all levels of your organization, from the individual employee to the decision-makers.
Manager / Supervisor / Safety Committee Training Programs
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: In-House Personnel who deal with ergonomics, facilities or injury issues, such as HR, Facilities, Safety Manager, Industrial Hygienist, or Purchasing
LENGTH: Typically 1 – 1.5 hrs
Ergonomics is misunderstood, in terms of strategy, impact on health, impact on productivity, and business benefit. This session will correct those misunderstandings, reveal the true costs of injuries, delineate the continuum from worst to best ergonomics strategies so you can identify ergonomic needs for your organization or your clients, and help you make the business case for ergonomics interventions. We will even help you identify potential next steps. This workshop includes our Ergonomics Benchmarking Survey with individual results review afterward.
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: Engineers, Operations Managers, Lean Managers, Executives
LENGTH: 3 hours
This fast-paced 3-hour workshop will really get minds thinking in new ways to further your continuous improvement efforts across multiple departments. It will improve buy-in for future “lean ergonomic” improvements and better design at the outset.
- Ergonomics: What is it? Why? What is the value?
- When to use Ergonomics
- High risks to design-out
- High level design concepts / guidelines to reduce risk factors
- Examples of ergonomic design and engineering solutions
(onsite)
WHO: In-House Personnel who deal with ergonomics, facilities or injury issues, such as HR, Facilities, Safety Manager, Industrial Hygienist, or Purchasing
LENGTH: Typically 1 – 3 days
Learn content from simply understanding what ergonomic risk exposures are to how to actually conduct in-house industrial ergonomic screens and provide appropriate interventions. For 2– and 3–day courses, we will practice using checklists and standardized screening tools both in the classroom, with video, and out in your facility.
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: Management and supervisors
LENGTH: 2 – 3 hours
Most workplaces have workers considered to be ‘aging’ (over the age of 40), and many employees need to work longer – sometimes past social security age – to maintain their quality of life. Furthermore, several industries are experiencing a shortage of a younger skilled workforce to replace those who are retiring, increasing the urgency with which employers modify the workplace so the older workforce can perform their work both efficiently and without injury.
What does it mean to create an age-friendly workplace? And what are some simple things you can do to help your older workers be efficient and avoid injury? Don’t be caught off guard as your working age demographic shifts! This workshop describes what happens physiologically as we age as well as measures to accommodate those changes in the workplace to keep ALL valuable employees engaged and working injury free.
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: Management and supervisors
LENGTH: 1.5 hours
Materials movement is at the heart of construction, labor, and manufacturing activities, ergonomics, and Lean methods, so you will learn how they can all be integrated very nicely! We will introduce the relationship between Lean philosophy and safety philosophy as well as how this relationship will help you speak to management and buy-in for your solutions. We will explore how Lean principles can relate to construction on-the-ground as well as more strategically. Examples will be reviewed, and we will provide practical methods of beginning to work toward a “leaner” construction process and construction site, resulting in an improved bottom line due to improved injury prevention and productivity.
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: Superintendents, Safety Personnel, Foreman
LENGTH: 2 hours OSHA 30
The OSHA 30 module (2 hours) will review some industry statistics, what the true costs of these injuries are, what the injury risk exposures are, elements for successful mitigation of the risks and where to focus your energies to do so, and then drilling down into many specific examples to illustrate and brainstorm both risk identification and controls. Attendees will learn:
- Primary general risk factors for MSD injuries in construction/li>
- Elements of successful MSD injury mitigation programs/li>
- Examples of engineering, administrative, and work practice controls to mitigate MSD injury risk exposures
(onsite or virtual)
WHO: Management and supervisors
LENGTH: 1 – 1.25 hours
Ergonomics is misunderstood, in terms of strategy, impact on health, impact on productivity, and business benefit. This session will correct those misunderstandings, explain the connections between health/wellness and ergonomics/safety, reveal the true costs of injuries, delineate the continuum from worst to best ergonomics strategies so you can identify ergonomic needs for your organization or your clients, and help you make the business case for incorporating ergonomics into health/wellness.
Front-line Ergonomic Workshops & Webinars
(ideally from Task Force work)
(onsite, possibly virtual)
WHO: Task Force Members
LENGTH: 4-6 sessions
A wonderful way to leverage an Industrial Assessment is to dual-purpose what’s learned by having us create custom training modules & materials. The best method to accomplish training and culture change that will “stick” is having us facilitate an Ergonomics Task Force to trial and perfect short-term and mid-term solutions which become the new best practices. From this and a consensus building process, we can develop customized training materials, such as:
- Standards of Work (primarily visual)
- Competency Checklists
- Memory Joggers and other Coaching Aids
- PowerPoint and/or Video Modules
We meet with all the Ergonomics Task Force members over 4-6 sessions to provide initial ergonomics education and then facilitate the development of consistent and repeatable peer-vetted best practices that will lead to customized training for each risk condition/task that was originally assessed.
(onsite, possibly virtual)
WHO: OSHA 10: Employees and Foreman and Safety Personnel.
LENGTH: 1 hour OSHA 10;
The OSHA 10 module will review industry statistics, true costs of these injuries, injury risk exposures, and will drill down into many specific examples to illustrate both risk identification and controls.
- Primary general risk factors for MSD injuries in construction
- Elements of successful MSD injury mitigation programs
- Examples of engineering, administrative, and work practice controls to mitigate MSD injury risk exposures
(onsite)
WHO: All Custodial employees
LENGTH: 1 – 2 hours
This general Custodial ergonomics hands-on workshop is based on our 12-poster ADA compliant poster set (see below), which covers common ergonomic risk factors and solution concepts for Custodial work. We cover the following content, with live demonstration and participant rehearsal:
- Neutral Postures & Power Bullseye Zone
- Overloaded and imbalanced loads on carts
- Unsafe lifting – bending
- Unsafe lifting – twisting
- Garbage handling
- Dumpster lid handling
- Tilting, re-orienting, and using leverage
- Forward bending (2 posters – position, extended handles)
- Twisting (mop, dust, vacuum)
- Over-reaching
(onsite)
WHO: Employees and/or supervisors (TTT)
LENGTH: 1 – 2 hours
This workshop focuses on safe mechanics of the whole body - including the back, neck, shoulder, arms, and legs. We review the symptoms and causes of cumulative trauma and how to reduce the risks associated with those aches and pains. Lifting techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. This training is most effective if it is preceded by 1-2 hours of onsite observation of work being performed. During this observation, photos will be taken and then incorporated into the training for customization, improved retention and problem-solving. Next best option is to send us photos of employees doing the tasks you are concerned about and having a review call to plan the training.
(onsite or webinar)
WHO: Employees and/or supervisors (TTT)
LENGTH: 1 hour
This workshop focuses on general ergonomic guidelines for driving. Content can be geared toward personal / passenger vehicles, buses, or trucks / utilities; and we can even include photos of your personnel in your vehicles. This training is most effective if there is an opportunity for hands-on rehearsal with the vehicles in question. Yes, this can also be delivered as a webinar for a general overview.
(onsite)
1. Shift Prep!® – Starter For employers without any established warm-up program and/or fairly de-conditioned or aging workforce (majority > age 45). This program is a gradual introduction of an on-site warm-up program with built-in long-term improvement into the next challenge level.
2. Shift Prep!® – Joint Stabilization For employers with an established “stretch & flex” program and/or fairly conditioned or young workforce (majority < age 45)
WHO: Non-office employees and/or champions (Train the Coach – highly recommended)
LENGTH: Live 1-hour workshop; live 4.5-hour workshop for up to 12 coaches; additional options
Our innovative, research-based, proprietary 6-minute warm up programs are especially designed for employees doing physical work. Using rehabilitation and fitness principles, these movements will strengthen and stabilize the lower back, hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder joints; and they have proven to reduce injury incidence and perceived effort during work tasks, ultimately enhancing efficiency. Our programs are designed to be performed prior to every shift at minimum and can also be done right after lunch. Note: There is a Terms of Use Agreement required to use each of our proprietary programs.
Our Train the Coach courses create skilled in-house champions to ensure employees perform the activities with proper form and technique, including any necessary modifications!
We offer all-employee training at two levels:
a) a fast-paced orientation kick-off to launch the program using your coaches as assistant instructors and then they become the daily facilitators going forward; or,
b) an intermediate level of training that teaches all employees ways to modify the activities independently (good when coaches won’t be available daily to facilitate going forward).
(onsite)
For Employers with fewer than 25 employees
This live 2-hour course includes learning the science behind the program, all the activities in the program, how to modify movements for those with limitations or pain, and what mistakes to look out for and how to correct those mistakes. Correctional coaching is provided by the instructor. Max of 30 attendees.
(onsite)
For Employers with more than 25 employees
This live 4.5-hour course includes learning common mechanisms of soft tissue injuries, the science behind the program, all the activities in the program, coaching techniques and tips, how to modify movements for those with limitations or pain, what mistakes to look out for and how to correct those mistakes, and the company protocol for handling “push back” or people who say they cannot participate. Max of 30 attendees.
a. We recommend 1 Coach for every 10 employees.
b. There is both a written exam and a practical exam.
c. Coaches get their own manuals.
d. Certificates will be issued to the Coaches.
e. Coaches get remote telephone or videoconference support from us as needed.
f. A refresher workshop is required 2 years later.
(onsite)
For Employers with more than 25 employees
This 1-hour all-employee training literally passes the “baton of expertise” to your Coaches. The ErgoFit instructor will announce and incorporate your Coaches as assistant trainers. This gives the Coaches incentive to learn the program quickly and gives them credibility in front of the crews. The next day, your Coaches will be leading the warm-up huddles daily.
Shift Prep! Program Posters
Full color, laminated, and customized 18” x 24” posters include photographs and written descriptions, allowing employees to thoroughly learn each movement. Posters can only be purchased in conjunction with workshop. Licensing for electronic posters also available. Volume pricing.
Shift Prep! Program Video
This video includes detailed information on the movements covered in the workshop, and serves as a valuable training tool for coaches, as a refresher for employees, and as an orientation to new employees.
Shift Prep! Program Pocket Guides
Pocket guides, available in pocket checkbook (or custom) register size on water resistant paper & ink, include sketches with written descriptions of each movement. Pocket guides can only be purchased in conjunction with workshop. Licensing for digital pocket guides also available. Available with waterproof paper and ink. Volume pricing.
(onsite or webinar)
WHO: Employees and/or Coaches (Train the Coach – highly recommended)
LENGTH: Live 45-min workshop; live 4-hour workshop for up to 12 Coaches; additional roll-out options
Front Line employees can benefit from performing a few stretches every day to keep blood circulating, improve postural imbalances, and decrease effects of static, heavy, and repetitive movement. These brief stretches are designed to be performed briefly throughout the workday.
Our Train the Coach course creates skilled in-house champions to ensure employees perform the activities with proper form and technique, including any necessary modifications!
Stretch Breaks!® Posters
Full color, laminated, and co-branded posters with photographs and written descriptions allow employees to walk themselves through each stretch. This can be purchased separately or in conjunction with our live or remote workshop. Licensing for electronic posters also available. Volume pricing.
Stretch Breaks!® Pocket Guides
The size of a checkbook register, or a custom size, these pocket guides fit easily into a pocket. They have black and white sketches with written descriptions of each stretch. Licensing for digital pocket guides also available. Available with waterproof paper and ink. Volume pricing.
Digital Ergonomics & Wellness Support Training Materials
Choose among the topics below to select the topics most relevant to your organization! Our Ergonomics Toolbox Talk handouts are the perfect go-to resource to support your ergonomic journey, to support employees and to build up your internal network drive resource library! Sample topics:
- Manual Material Handling: lift, push, pull, carry
- Hand-Arm Vibration
- Hand Tools
- Awkward Postures:
- Back
- Neck
- Shoulder / Arm
- Forearm / Wrist / Hand
- Arm / Hand Exertion
- Repetitive Heavy or Awkward Tasks
- Heat
- Summary of Control Measures Concepts for Continuous Improvement
WHO: All Custodial employees
This 12-poster ADA compliant poster set covers common ergonomic risk factors and solution concepts for Custodial work. It is designed to be a 1-year program that you can “rinse and repeat” year over year through a monthly campaign. You can print posters and have them on your internal network. Terms of Use Agreement required. The poster set content addressed the following:
- Neutral Postures & Power Bullseye Zone
- Overloaded and imbalanced loads on carts
- Unsafe lifting – bending
- Unsafe lifting – twisting
- Garbage handling
- Dumpster lid handling
- Tilting, re-orienting, and using leverage
- Forward bending (2 posters – position, extended handles)
- Twisting (mop, dust, vacuum)
- Over-reaching
WHO: All employees
When employees have not exercised for more than two weeks, they have likely lost some physical capacity. After three months, however, the losses can be significant if they have not been keeping up a regular maintenance exercise routine at least 1-3 days per week.
This program can be used to improve the general health of your sedentary or entire workforce, or to prepare employees with physical jobs to Return To Work after being on Light Duty or having been 2+ months off work. Please specify which population you will offer this to.
General re-conditioning of strength and endurance to address overall health is a critical component to having healthier employees. We offer general overall conditioning of basic muscle groups, common movement patterns, and general endurance for walking & standing. This program is designed to be uploaded to your internal network. Terms of Use Agreement required. Our program includes the following:
- An introductory manual explaining the purpose of the program and offering guidance on how to progress through the conditioning program.
- Body weight activities with common household items.
- Videos of each activity and its Levels are part of this package.
(Self-guided Program &/or Live Workshops)
WHO: All employees
LENGTH: 1.5 hours (optional live demo and practice workshop)
The majority of people have occasional lower back pain and don’t know what to do about it. The uniqueness of our program is that it is safe for all abilities with low time investment. It equally emphasizes strengthening and stabilization for the abdominals, gluteals, and deep low back muscles, as well as having a stretching component. Our program is based on science and rehabilitation principles rather than misinformed fads. This workshop provides an overall orientation of how to use the Protect Your Back! © Manuals, covers the science and theory behind the program, and demonstrates the exercises and stretches in Levels 1 and 2 (out of our 5 level self-guided program) for optimal back health and function.
Protect Your Back! © Manuals
This is a safe self-guided 5-level program for optimal back health and function, based on rehabilitation principles. These full color manuals include tracking guides at each level. Volume pricing.
Protect Your Back! © Video
This video covers an overall orientation of how to use the manual, the science and theory behind the program, demonstrates the exercises in Levels 1 and 2 (out of 5 total) and the stretches. Terms of Use Agreement required.
Looking for simple, quick solutions to immediately start improving the wellness of your workforce? Look no further.
Wellness Articles
Topics include nutrition, fitness, sleep, and other general wellness issues.
Resistive Tubing Exercise Posters
Feature exercises essential to stabilizing your body and performing functional tasks safely and efficiently.
Stability Ball Exercise Manuals
Feature exercises effective at developing core and joint strength and stability, reducing risk of injury.
Cable Machine Exercise Posters
Feature joint and spinal stability and mobility exercises, enhancing muscle recruitment during functional tasks. Manual features simple, fun exercises that are easy to do anywhere – no gym required!
Design
Prevention through Design is the process for reducing occupational health and safety hazards during design and purchasing processes to prevent work related injuries, maximize efficiency and improve profitability associated with various job tasks and facilities. It is considered a world-class best practice!
We do not want you to build or configure your work areas, machinery, or equipment in a way that causes injury risk and human inefficiencies...ultimately wasting money with unnecessary injuries, wasted downtime from pain, or retrofitting later! Whether a reconfiguration, facility improvement, new production line, or new construction, we can collaborate with your architect, design team, engineers, and purchasing to provide recommendations that suit the job tasks, job equipment, and workflow of your employees. Incorporating custom, expert-based ergonomics (not ergonomic labels) into your design will create safer, more productive, and more sustainable work areas for your people.
Often we see a variety of types of equipment in a facility, most of it lacking legitimate or sufficient beneficial ergonomic features. Ergonomic equipment purchasing guidelines help streamline procurement and avoid potentially harmful or unnecessary purchases. We can work with your team to provide a customized list of preferred ergonomic equipment based on an evaluation of your space. We can also work with you to develop standardized purchasing guidelines and ergo criteria for equipment specific to your organization, which can include collaboration with your vendors to create custom order forms or website links. We are here to assist you in the purchasing process as much or as little as you’d like, and offer an extensive list of itemized services to custom build a package based on your specific needs.
This dove-tails well with the Train the Evaluator: Industrial Ergonomics Screens © course, as your in-house specialist can then use the established guidelines with confidence when making recommendations.
We can audit and co-develop existing policies and procedures within your ergonomic / health / safety departments. This can include topics such as ergonomics mission statements, personnel / committee structure, roles & responsibilities, equipment policies, evaluation request policy, protocols, remote worker policies, general guidelines, and more.