Introduction  

Ergonomics is a rigorous scientific discipline that allows companies to evaluate jobs, workstations, work areas, and products in terms of their "demand requirements" relative to the capacities of the population performing the job, using the product, etc. Through the application of ergonomic analysis and design, a variety of benefits including reductions in injury, increases in productivity, and safer performance of operations can be achieved. Ergoboy consultants posses the technical skills and industrial experience to maximize the benefits that a company can achieve through ergonomics.  

What Ergoboy Does For Its Clients? 

• Document job demands

• Design new facilities

• Redesign existing facilities

• Evaluate office environments

• Train engineers

• Establish ergonomic programs 

Who Does The Work? 

Our consulting projects are headed by one of three Ph.D. ergonomists. 

How Do We Do An Ergonomic Job Analysis 

Ergonomic job analysis defines the physical and cognitive requirements associated with a job or task, and represents the first step in the ergonomic process. The ergonomist will identify and, where feasible, quantify the following:  Physical requirements of the job or task, including repetition requirements, force requirements, postural demands, and environmental conditions.  Cognitive requirements of the job or task, including information processing requirements, adherence to population sterotypes, selection of proper modalities of information presented, etc.  Social environment in which the job or task is performed, including workers' perceived control over their work, worker - supervisor and worker - worker relationships, and other stress-related issues.  The data gathered will be evaluated to the most appropriate ergonomic guidelines identified by the ergonomists. Based on this, ergonomic issues can be prioritized in terms of injury and productivity parameters.  Once the ergonomic issues have been identified, the ergonomists will develop appropriate control strategies to address the issues. Control strategies can include engineering controls, administrative controls, and defining the training issues associated with optimal performance of the job or task. For any control strategy proposed, the ergonomist will attempt to define a specific product(s) to accomplish the task, and will define the costs and anticipated payback associated with the controls.  The ergonomic issues and associated control strategies are presented to the client in an Action Plan. Based on sign-off on the Action Plan, implementation of control strategies will be assigned to appropriate personnel, and milestone dates will be established. The ergonomist is available as a technical resource throughout the implementation phase, and will evaluate the implemented control to document its effectiveness for the client. 

How Much Does It Cost To Implement Ergonomic Changes? 

A review of over 1000 control strategies proposed during consultation work has been performed. Over one-third of all control strategies were "no cost" controls, requiring only procedural/behavioral changes in how the task was performed. Fewer than 10% of all recommended controls required expenditures exceeding $1,000. 

How Do You Establish An Ergonomics Program? 

Ergoboy ergonomists have worked with many companies to help establish an ergonomic committee and team to be responsible for a company's ergonomic program. Ergoboy ergonomists work as a resource and develop a specific plan for an ergonomic team to address ergonomic issues at their company. The Ergoboy’s process includes an on-site visit by their ergonomist to understand the ergonomic issues associated with their client.  A customized training program is then put together for the client. The program includes training top executives about the need and benefits associated in having an ergonomic plan in place. They train key managers and supervisors in how to implement an ergonomic program. Engineers, safety personnel and employees are also trained in the program. Their intent is that their client will have a stand-alone program after our training programs are finished. They can act as a resource for additional ergonomic issues, but they hope that their training has been sufficient and that the client doesn't need them anymore.   

Ergonomic Program Elements 

• Health and Risk Factor Surveillance

• Job Analysis and Design

• Medical Management

• Training

• Ongoing Monitoring of Program 

How Much Does Ergoboy Charge? 

Ergoboy does not believe that an ergonomic program is "one size fits all." Therefore, all of their fees are customized to the specific task their client requires. The way they develop their proposals is to have an ergonomist talk directly with the client to understand what the needs are. Sometimes, it requires an on-site visit prior to proposal. Because they have been in business for several years and have a wide variety of experiences, they are usually able to develop proposals accurately and quickly.     

What Is Ergoboy’s Experience? 

Our experience in industrial and office settings is extensive. It includes: warehousing, mining, electronics, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, meat packing, apparel, beverage bottling and distribution, airline reservations, call centers, offices, electrical component assembly, steel processing, aluminum processing, fabrication, tool and die operations, construction, and many others. 

If you would like more information about Ergoboy’s consulting services, please fill out our brief request form.