My Simple Definition of Ergonomics - What is the Role of an Ergonomist?
My Simple Definition of Ergonomics: In simple words, application of ergonomics in industries and organizations helps workers to work in an environment which is safe, hygienic, and comfortable and helps employers or factory owners to get maximum productivity and quality from their employees keeping in mind their health and workplace safety by using and adopting standard guidelines of ergonomics. Ergonomics also helps employers in lowering absenteeism of workers thereby maintaining minimum if any pressure due to not being understaffed at all times.
Application of ergonomics to any workplace or work environment involves use of specific ergonomic tools such as ergonomic computer workstations, ergonomic industrial machinery, etc. which once applied to the workplace helps on a long-term basis. According to me, ergonomics is not so much popular in developing countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. but other developing countries like India and China that are emerging economies have not only started but adopted ergonomics for workplace safety. Many multinational companies and BPOs in India have adopted ergonomics. In case of developed countries like USA and UK, ergonomics was already introduced many years ago and it has formed an integral part of every international company’s policy nowadays.
Some good books on understanding ergonomics that you will like
How ergonomics work? What is the role of an ergonomist?
The role of an ergonomist is very important in any organization, either a small scale business unit or a large international group of companies. Companies, factories, and industry owners hire ergonomists who are well trained in the field of applied ergonomics and industrial ergonomics. Ergonomists first of all help analyze and evaluate the risks involved at a particular place, then send affected workers for medical examination and to a qualified medical evaluator or QME, then they check the worker’s tools for example heavy machinery or computer workstations including chair, tables, monitors, keyboards, mouse, etc., which in short is said ergonomic evaluation of a workstation, and then they ask the employers to buy ergonomically necessary tools for their workstations for employees health and safety.
Ergonomists not only help in providing safety at workplace but also help employers achieve improved quality of work, maximum productivity, and more profits due to lowered absenteeism in their organizations, so in brief, use of ergonomics and trained ergonomists is important for industries and organizations to become successful. I will talk about many more things related to ergonomics and ergonomists in my upcoming hubs.