The value of ergonomics in an occupational safety management system

It’s of value for an organization to establish a framework for implementing a health and safety program. Adopting this process can help organizations manage their operations and optimize occupational health and safety performance.

A safety management system helps managers and employees implement and sustain effective health and safety practices. This enews discusses how including key parts of an ergonomics approach within a safety management system supports and enhances the overall objective of continually improving employees’ health, safety, and well-being.

Applying ergonomics principles and practices within the framework of a safety management system ensures that the work environment is designed to be compatible with the capabilities and limitations of human performance. It optimizes the interactions between workers and the elements of the systems within the workplace. It increases productivity, job satisfaction, and reduces the chance of errors, injuries, and incidents. It also supports the health and safety principle of continuous improvement.

National standards provide specifics on the principles and application of ergonomics for enhancing work and the workplace. For example, CSA Standard Z1004-12 (R2021) Workplace Ergonomics — A Management and Implementation Standard provides the foundation for the practical application of ergonomics into the design, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of a workplace and the work performed by workers.

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• The value of ergonomics in an occupational safety management system
• How to incorporate ergonomics in a safety management system
• Managing risk within your safety management system
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For resources, please visit worksafebc.com/ergonomics. If you have questions about ergonomics or human factors, or need help managing the risk of MSI in your workplace, please contact us at HumanFactors@worksafebc.com