When it comes to proactive risk management, ergonomics teams have their work cut out for them. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent 30% of all occupational injury and illness cases causing days away from work in the United States. On top of that, many organizations struggle with limited budgets for ergonomic risk management. These financial constraints often hamper an organization’s ability to implement the necessary controls, keeping them vulnerable to ergonomic injuries and the associated costs.
In a recent webinar presented by Cority in partnership with Inseer, Kim Moull and Shane Larson explored the latest trends in ergonomics program management, with a special focus on leveraging technology to streamline and enhance these initiatives. This blog will walk you through some of the key insights they gathered:
- Key Trends Impacting Ergonomics Programs in 2024
- Challenges with Managing Ergonomic Risk Effectively
- Innovative Solutions for Managing Ergonomic Risk in the Office
- How AI-Driven Video Motion Capture Technology Supports Ergonomics Risk Management
Unlocking Efficiency in Ergonomics Program Management with Technology
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Key Trends Impacting Ergonomics Programs in 2024
In 2024, ergonomics programs face a rapidly evolving landscape driven by technological advancements and shifting workplace dynamics. As innovative organizations opt-in to adapt to these changes, understanding and leveraging these trends is crucial for optimizing ergonomic practices and enhancing employee well-being. Factors impacting ergonomic program managers include:
- Investment in Ergonomics being deprioritized relative to other EHS initiatives
- Only 19% of firms plan to increase ergonomics and wellbeing management in 2024, despite MSDs being a prevalent issue for organizations globally.
- Operational innovation calls for outstanding change management processes
- Organizations striving for continuous improvement must consider how rapid change impacts all aspects of their operations, including increased ergonomic risk.
- Budgets for new technologies, including AI-powered solutions, are increasing
- Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of emerging tools, such as video analytics, to more effectively identify and mitigate onsite risks. These technologies enable more precise and efficient ergonomic assessments, allowing firms to address potential hazards before they become serious issues.
- Challenges with Managing Ergonomic Risk Effectively
In light of the key trends mentioned above, many organizations face significant barriers that prevent them from creating more efficient, effective, and sustainable ergonomics programs. Some common challenges are:
- Time and resources available to ergonomics teams are limited.
- Ergonomics management processes are inefficient and outdated.
- Ergonomics program data is fragmented with no single source of truth.
- Teams lack support from management to perform necessary activities to reduce risk.
- Innovative Solutions for Managing Ergonomic Risk in the Office
For companies with large numbers of desk-based employees, the challenge of proactively managing risk across the entire workforce can seem overwhelming, especially when resources are limited. However, leveraging the right software solutions not only makes it feasible to manage risk at large scale, but also ensures that employees remain healthy and productive whether they work remotely or in the office. Here is how ergonomic program managers can take advantage of technology to mitigate risk:
- Quantify Office Ergonomic Risk: Software enables a risk-based approach by allowing organizations to convert qualitative office ergonomic assessment data into quantifiable risk scores. This makes it easier to prioritize support for employees, especially when managing large workforces. Self-guided assessments and training tools automate this process, providing real-time risk insights and encouraging employees to take control of their own risk reduction.
- Improve Employee Engagement: Engaging the workforce in office ergonomic risk reduction starts with empowering employees with the knowledge to manage risk on their own. Self-guided training and assessment tools allow employees to identify and resolve workstation issues independently, while break reminders and micro-learning tools reinforce healthy habits throughout the workday.
- Automate Administrative Tasks: Managing a proactive office ergonomics program can be time-consuming, and software can be leveraged to automate day-to-day tasks to free up more time for experts to focus on risk-reduction activities. Examples of tasks that can be streamlined with technology include analyzing data, writing reports, following up on corrective actions, and sending emails.
Do you think it’s time to update your Ergonomics Program? Read: 5 Signs It’s Time to Revisit Your Office Ergonomics Strategy.
- How AI-Driven Video Motion Capture Technology Supports Industrial Ergonomic Risk Management
AI-driven motion capture technology uses computer vision to analyze workers’ movements through video, converting 2D images into detailed 3D models. This process allows for more accurate tracking of posture and joint movement by detecting patterns and converting body movements into precise data. With no special equipment needed, this technology provides organizations with the following benefits:
- Saves on the time required to collect and analyze risk information.
- Objective risk analysis reduces human error and provides consistency.
- Justifies investment in ergonomics by validating the impact of risk reduction controls.
- Technology is usable by individuals with minimal knowledge of ergonomics.
Modern Solutions for Better Ergonomic Risk Management
By leveraging the right solutions, organizations can enhance efficiency and ensure their ergonomics programs remain robust and effective. Digital tools such as video motion capture technology and other risk-based software solutions can streamline processes and improve employee engagement, making it easier to manage ergonomic risks at scale. By leveraging insights from this webinar, organizations will learn how various technologies can be used together to drive results.
