ABSTRACT
Ergonomics is about fitting the workplace to the worker, not the worker to the workplace. Ergonomics factors in the differences in workers’ ages, physical conditions, strength, gender, nature, and assorted other factors. Effective ergonomics programs share certain core elements: Management commitment, employee involvement, identification of problem jobs, development of solutions, training and education of employees, and appropriate medical management. To aid in reducing ergonomically related hazards in the workplace, employee participation is critical. Employee participation is normally increased whenever employees are professionally trained on both program requirements and on those elements that make up the program. For back injury prevention, administrative controls involve the selection and training of workers. Selection involves pre-employment screening to identify people who already have back problems when they apply, through physical assessment, strength testing, and testing for aerobic work capacity.
