Marketing Ergonomics and Cost Effective Ergonomics

It is not enough that ergonomists understand the concepts of ergonomics in injury prevention. It is important that the correct actions be taken by employers, who do not understand ergonomics, to prevent injury. I have found several arguments used by management against implementing ergonomics in a workplace; for instance “as we are making enough profit why spend more money? If I spend money it only comes off my profit.” This is a powerful argument against implementing ergonomics. After all, all businesses need to make a profit to stay in business. In my experience it sometimes works to be able to say to the employer or manager that “the law says you must improve the working conditions of your employees” or “how would you feel having to go to a home and tell the wife that your husband is injured?” Unfortunately, the counter-argument is “There are thousands of businesses and very few government inspectors – I will take the risk of not being inspected and not improve the workplace” or “This is only a small workplace and we have not had a bad injury yet; I will take the chance that we will not get an injury”. These counter-arguments are both valid so how do we counter these? One powerful method is to use financial arguments; “you may be making a good profit but it could be even higher”. This talk will discuss the method of cost effective analysis as applied to ergonomics interventions and is designed to assist ergonomists in talking to management. It does not replace either the moral or legal requirements of injury prevention but is a powerful method to get management or employers to listen in the first place. The method will be illustrated with case studies.