Workers Are the Experts: Utilizing Participatory Ergonomics
Workers are truly the experts on their jobs. Not only in the task of the job itself, but in knowing what it takes to complete it and how the process could be improved. Workers are the ones who are best equipped to identify problems, analyze them, and to develop and implement solutions that will be both effective in reducing musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks and improving productivity.?
The process of actively involving workers in developing and implementing workplace changes to?improve productivity and reduce risks to safety and health is called participatory ergonomics.
Participatory Ergonomics for Industrial Employees?
Participatory ergonomics employs one or more teams to use their expert knowledge on their tasks to propose and promote changes in work design and work organization. This method has been mainly used to reduce musculoskeletal injuries, but recent studies also show it creates a more human-centered workplace, improves organizational climate, and improves not only their overall health but also employee’s engagement, morale, and teamwork.?
That is why the participatory ergonomics approach has been so useful to industrial employees, and is now being successfully applied to office workers as well.?