Ergonomic Tenets and the Bottom Line

Abstract

This paper proposes and discusses Ergonomic Tenets that will help the Ergonomist be a “bottom line” contributor. In support of these Tenets, this paper describes how the ergonomics function at a Fortune 200 food corporation developed into a bottom line contributor through the development and implementation of an ergonomic multidimensional action plan. As a result of this program, there was a 40% reduction in total OSHA recordable injuries for the back, wrist, shoulder and neck. In addition, there was a 50% reduction in the number of workers' compensation claims and a 60% reduction in these costs for back and repetitive motion injuries. This translated to cash flow savings of over $3 million. Also, OSHA citations and fines dropped to zero from 389 and $1.4 million, respectively. In addition, this paper will explain a cost justification technique that used workers' compensation costs to help justify engineering projects that fell short of the Company's financial requirements.