The Ergonomics Edge: Improving Safety, Quality, and Productivity

Learn why ergonomics is a business solution and not a businessproblem The Ergonomics Edge Improving Safety, Quality, andProductivity Dan MacLeod It is time for ergonomics to be seen inits true light. Too often, the subject of ergonomics appears to becomplicated, expensive, and a burden on industry. It has gainedvisibility because of hefty regulatory fines and product liabilitylaw-suits. As a result, many managers consider ergonomics to bejust another business headache. In The Ergonomics Edge, Dan MacLeoddemonstrates why ergonomics is really good news for managers,revealing how it can actually be a formidable weapon in a company'squest to gain competitive advantage. MacLeod is one of the leadingpractitioners of workplace ergonomics in the U.S., and hassuccessfully applied ergonomics in many manufacturing and serviceindustries. He shows how improving the user-friendliness of boththe workplace and a company's end-product can lead to reducedworkers' comp, turnover, absenteeism, and other cost savings.Moreover, he reveals how ergonomics can lead to higher earningsthrough greater worker productivity and increased sales. Highlyillustrated and written in a conversational style, The ErgonomicsEdge provides a non-technical approach designed to demystify thissubject that many find daunting. Section 1 presents basic ergonomicprinciples and discusses how these serve to enhance the functioningof any business, and goes on to show how businesses can respond tonew and impending OSHA and ANSI standards in a way that promotesefficient business operation. Section 2 explores a number ofspecific issues, offering insight into:
* Ergonomics as an aspect of your firm's Total Quality Managementeffort
* The causes and costs of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) andhow these may be prevented
* The role of ergonomics in improving quality, productivity, andwork organization
* The capacity of ergonomics to address vital human resource issuessuch as today's aging work force and the rights of employees withdisabilities
Section 3 offers numerous case studies of practical applications ofergonomic solutions. In addition, it outlines the elements of aneffective workplace ergonomics program, with coverage of key issuessuch as organization, training, communication, job analysis and jobimprovements, medical management, and program monitoring. TheErgonomics Edge is the first working resource to offer convincingevidence that ergonomics can be a blessing and not a burden to U.S.business. This book will be indispensable in helping your firm meetits long-range strategic goals. In addition, it will be importantreading for ergonomists, industrial hygienists, physicaltherapists, and other safety and medical professionals, to helpeveryone make the case for ergonomics.