G1+Economic+Cost+of+Ergonomics

=Economic Cost of Ergonomics= (This should contain the case studies on the cost of ergonomics)

CASE STUDY 1
The Health and Safety Executive estimate that in 1995/96 MSDs cosst British society £5.7 billion. 1.0 million people are affected each year, reslting in 11.6 million lost working days (2004/0). MSDs most commonly affect the lower back, the upper limbs or neck, and with fewer people experiencing problems in their lower limbs. ([|Nicholson, 1999]) As a Health & Safety Executive Report published, Cost Benefit Studies that support tackling Musculoskeletal Disorders gives details of 21 case studies that quantify the costs of ergonomics interventions and the benefits gained through savings or increased productivity and quality of output. For example, they looked at mostly upper body and limb injuries, but also researched some lower body problems as well. The benefits were calculated using the investment required to change the workplace (new equipment bought, changed work styles, more ergonomic training...) and comparing the cost with the benefits of the improved work system. It was important to compare the difference in conditions before the change and after the change. The research team considered changed to sickness absence levels associated with MSD, productivity rates, staff turnover and other variables, like reduced waste or higher quality output when they determined the possible benefits.

One of the studies used involved heavy containers that needed to be lifted manually into an "overpack" for transporting offshore. The containers weighed 75kg, 45kg, and 10kg. Since there was limited spaces, posture was poor and there was only enough room for one person to do the job.

A back injury had already occurred because of the job, and that resulted in 6 month's absence. This was the second injury in just a few months. The injured personnel were specialist, so their presence would to sorely missed. The company lost revenue.

The solution? It wasn't possible to make the containers lighter or the change the dimensions of the overpack (those changes would have improved posture), but instead a jib crane was put into place on top of the overpack that would take the weight of the containers. Assessing the risks and fitting jib cranes to all containers cost £14,875. The cost from the two injuries was around £45,000 - most incidences of that kind were predicted to happen. If the jib cranes are used for 5 years, then the investments costs would be recouped in just 3 months. ( [|Smith, 2007]) The rate of injuries, and thus money loss from those injuries, would also reduce. All in all, just by making a small change to the workplace, the companies could regain the money used to finance the change, and money would be saved from less injuries.

-okay, this one shows that ergonomics is not only economically viable but that it is also a good idea. It has caused the company to lose less money to injuries by installing a small cost compared to what they used to ahve to pay for injuries.

CASE STUDY 2.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11324_7-6324059-1.html

this is a guide showign hwo you can make your home office ergonomic. It has an estimated cost of $150+

So, read through it and analyse its viability.

Kevin: This guide shows a relatively low cost way to make your own home office more ergonomic. The low cost compared with the benefits to your health, to me, seem reasonable. In other words, i would do this if I felt uncomfortable while computing at home. Though, home computing may not bring as many injuries as much as the office does, this is really just a way to make things more comfortable. The low cost shows that. If comfortability and lessening the risk of an injury even more so that it is at in a home office is important this is quite viable.

CASE STUDY 3
One of the case studies related to the manufacture of medical devices. Workers were attaching ultra-fine sutures, used in ophthalmic surgery, to needles and 40% of them were experiencing shoulder and neck discomfort.

It was identified that the high ergonomics risk could be avoided if the ultra-fine attaching job was performed for only four hours per shift but this would reduce productivity levels, with ensuing costs. Modifications were made to the workstation to improve posture and a camera and small monitor were installed to allow the operator to check the location of the needle without adopting awkward neck postures.

Staff who had not been experienced in the task could now perform it with less training than before. An ergonomic assessment was undertaken of the revised workstation, which showed that operators could work safety for an additional two hours a day without being at significant risk of musculoskeletal pain or injury.

The cost of the modification to the workstations and for purchasing the cameras was £9350, the net intervention benefit was £18,900 and the payback period was 12 months.

(http://theergonomist.net/item.php?s=16&p=153&i=152%3E.), Calum Smith, Hu-Tech Ergonomics kev: Ok, this one is pretty much awesome. Basically, the installing of ergonomic designs not only stopped the pain, it allowed workers to work for a longer time showing that ergonomics increases productivity! Though the payback time was a year, it came with hardly any risk of any injuries and a much greater level of productivity. Once again proving that it is so totally economically viable. IF the company can afford the start up cost and can wait until profit pays it off.

Case Studies we can use
www.cher.ubc.ca/PDFs/laundryergonomics.pdf

http://whitepapers.silicon.com/0,3800002489,60261359p,00.htm?r=1 <-- download document. It's called: The Importance of Ergonomics and the Workplace: A guide to healthy computing

http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Health-and-Fitness:Ergonomics <--A list of many articles, mostly about chairs/posture/back injuries, but still could be pretty helpful.

www.monitorvictims.com/Healthy_guide.pdf <--AMAZING. a must see. it's perfect.  must download.