The Benefits of Workplace Ergonomics: How They Save Time And Money

Assessing the value of workplace ergonomics is no easy task. Workplace ergonomics, the scientific discipline concerned with the interaction between the worker and the different elements of their workstation/task, plays a crucial role in enhancing both employee well-being and business efficiency. Employers understand the benefits workplace ergonomics can have on their employees, such as reduced injury rates and improved morale. However, the financial benefits to the business and the organization as a whole are sometimes overlooked.

Calculating The Value Of Workplace Ergonomics

Late in 2023, the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) released the ‘Ontario Ergonomics Intervention Cost-Benefit Calculator.’ This tool can be used to calculate the potential savings and payback period for different ergonomic interventions. Instructions for using this new resource are included on the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario website. 

Evaluating both the physical and financial benefits of ergonomic interventions helps key stakeholders within your organization quickly realize that implementing a sustainable workplace ergonomics program pays off quickly for a business. These are just a few of the bonuses:

Reduced Claim Costs Due To MSD Injuries

Between 2022-2024, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) reported that the average cost of a lower back injury was ~$4,400 per injury claim (WSIB Ontario, 2024) – and these claims may have been preventable! When workplace ergonomics is considered in the design and layout of a workstation, the workplace hazards that might lead to these types of injuries can be minimized or eliminated.

To determine the cost-benefit of a proposed intervention, best practice is to input workplace or industry-specific data and up to three different ergonomic interventions, and the costs associated with each, into the ‘Ontario Ergonomics Intervention Cost-Benefit Calculator’. This resource will automatically calculate the estimated annual savings and payback period, helping you make informed decisions about which ergonomic solution to implement.

Workplace Ergonomics Programs Help Increase Productivity

When an employee can finish a job task faster, the company benefits financially. Ergonomics plays a significant role in reducing cycle time by addressing inefficiencies in work processes, such as multiple handling of an object, reaching beyond safe ranges, prolonged push/pull distances, and over-tightening with a tool. An ergonomic risk assessment identifies these inefficiencies and provides opportunities to redesign a workstation layout, reducing wasted movement, decreasing injury potential, and increasing productivity – a win-win!

Consider this example: If you currently manufacture 30 parts per hour (i.e., 2 minutes per cycle), after implementing ergonomic changes, you might shave 15 seconds off each cycle. This means producing ~35 parts per hour, resulting in 40 more parts over an 8-hour shift, effectively gaining an extra hour’s worth of production each day!

Work Quality Improvements Through Ergonomic Changes

Employees who are in discomfort aren’t as attentive to their tasks. If you are in pain or discomfort while working, you’re likely distracted, which leads to reduced quality. By making ergonomic changes and reducing injury risk, employees can focus better on their tasks, improving the quality of their output.

Improved Morale and Employee Satisfaction

A happy employee is a productive employee. Poor workplace culture often leads to unexpected expenses such as employee turnover. The hiring process, training costs, and reduced production caused by inexperience can be costly. Ergonomic interventions can significantly improve employee morale and satisfaction. Ask your staff about their challenges and concerns and take ergonomic action to improve their jobs. Sometimes, small changes make a big difference in employee morale.

For any business, a positive Return on Investment (ROI) is key to improving the bottom line. Investment in workplace ergonomics can help any company, big or small, regardless of their industry, achieve this goal in many different ways.