| Abstract: | An innovative, team-based, ergonomic job redesign effort in a large Midwest organization is described. Joint management-labor teams composed of representatives from each department of the plant were formed and trained in team-building and ergonomic principles. These teams prioritized jobs for ergonomic redesign and developed and implemented solutions. Sources of data for this redesign process included: a physical symptom survey, OSHA logs for cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), observations, videotapes, and employee interviews about their jobs, tools, and pain experienced at work. Ergonomic changes at the plant resulted in significant reductions in the number and severity of CTDs, lost production time, and restricted duty days. Recommendations based on experiences with this ergonomic intervention are made for HRM practitioners. |
