ABSTRACT

The primary objective of an ergonomics program in many companies is to reduce exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) risk factors, thereby resulting in reduced WMSD illness severity and incident rates. Establishing an effective ergonomics program in a global manufacturing company with over 190 manufacturing locations in over 30 countries requires new thinking and strategies about both human and technical resources. This case study describes the process used at 3M Company to develop knowledgeable and skilled ergonomics resources at each manufacturing location. These individuals identify unacceptable ergonomics risk exposures associated with manufacturing jobs in a facility and then implement solutions that are effective at reducing or eliminating the risk exposures. For these individuals to be successful, additional education about ergonomics and expertise in ergonomics job assessment is needed. To obtain this expertise, each individual completes ergonomics training and demonstrates knowledge attained and skills developed through participation in an internal ergonomics job assessment (EJA) Certification process.