The document discusses whether shop floor team members should be involved in the ergonomics process. It provides opinions from seven ergonomics experts who unanimously agree that team member involvement is important. The experts note that team members have valuable insights due to their first-hand experience performing the jobs. Involving team members can improve buy-in for ergonomic changes and lead to better solutions. One way to involve team members mentioned is having them participate in job assessments and provide feedback on difficulties and potential solutions.

1. Should Shop Floor Team
Members Be Involved in the
Ergonomics Process?

2. Have you been considering whether or
not you should involve team members
on the shop floor in the ergonomics
process?
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3. Is it a good idea?
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4. Learn what seven leading ergonomics
experts have to say.
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5. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Ron Porter, PT, CEAS III
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
Most definitely. If the end users of the ergonomics modifications are not
involved in the process their buy-in will be limited. Some of the best
ergonomics recommendations come from the shop floor employees.
Studies show that you have limited success with the goals of your ergonomics
program when you do not give the employee/end user the opportunity to have
some “choice” in equipment changes and how they perform their job tasks.
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6. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Ron Porter, PT, CEAS III
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
We do a lot of personalized employee awareness training on working in their
Power Zone and the principles of being a Workplace Athlete. After
increasing their understanding that a lot of success in ergonomics is worker
behavior, we follow up with them with questions on what ideas they have
for job modifications that would decrease their fatigue and increase their
productivity.
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7. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Ron Porter, PT, CEAS III
ABOUT
Ronald W. Porter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Occupational Safety
and Health, and Ergonomics. In the past 34 years, since becoming Director of the Back
School, he has instructed over 1000 workshops and seminars on Ergonomics Awareness
and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention to physical and occupational therapists;
medical doctors; chiropractors; occupational health nurses; and industrial health and
safety professionals.
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8. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Jill Kelby, PT, CEA
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
In a word, YES! Involving shop floor employees is very important to the success of
your ergonomics process. It is well known that if employees are given the
opportunity to participate in making decisions that affect their job, they become
more actively involved in the work that they do. Getting employees engaged in
their job provides five main benefits:
1. Employees become more focused on their work and take note of how and why
they do what they do. They become are more alert, active and prepared to share
their thoughts on how the job could be done differently to improve the safety and
flow of the job.
2. Participation motivates employees to contribute to the process. A motivated
employee will increase their commitment to the organization; and therefore, the
goals that the organization sets around health and safety.

9. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Jill Kelby, PT, CEA
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
3. Participation lowers resistance to change. We all know forced change rarely works
well. The best results happen when employees are involved in the processes that affect
their job.
4. Participation answers the WIIFM principle (what’s in it for me?). If we expect
employees to demonstrate and execute the new behaviors and actions expected of
them, then they must understand why. By being involved the employees have firsthand
knowledge of why the change is necessary in the first place.
5. Participation in decision making helps employees to take ownership and
accountability for the process. The ergonomics process provides employees
opportunities for career development and training by learning about ergonomics. In
the end this allows them to do what they do best (the work) and the result is greater
job satisfaction.

10. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Jill Kelby, PT, CEA
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
The first step in the ergonomics process is to assess the job. Use this step
as the first step in engaging the employees in the process. To get you
started here are three open ended questions to ask your employees:
• What works well?
• What doesn’t work well?
• What ideas do you have to solving those issues?
Then take that input and invite one or more of the employees to the
ergonomics team to continue in the ergonomics process.

11. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Jill Kelby, PT, CEA
ABOUT
Jill Kelby is the president and owner of Kelby Ergo Design, LLC based in
Minneapolis, MN. She has over 22 years of experience in ergonomics, lean,
process improvement and project management. Ms. Kelby works with
organizations to develop and deliver strategic solutions for their productivity,
safety, and health issues through training and consulting services.
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12. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Paul Krewson, PT
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
Absolutely! They are part of the solution which we call “Healthy Work
Solutions.”
Workers will be more receptive to change if they feel they have a part in the
decision making process. They are the ones that do the work and we often find
that they have great ideas for improving their work areas. Great ergonomics
uses input from across the board.
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13. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Paul Krewson, PT
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
Using employee surveys. For example, use an employee discomfort survey to find
out what body parts are being fatigued and in which departments.
Develop an “Ergo Team” that consists of management, supervisors and lead
workers to meet on a regular basis to go over concerns.
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14. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Paul Krewson, PT
ABOUT
Paul Krewson is owner and president of Peak Ergonomics, a Missouri
Ergonomics Consultant group that strategically utilizes the disciplines of
occupational therapy, physical therapy, and ergonomics to create healthy work
solutions that maximize production and minimize risk of injury.
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15. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Deborah Read, MOTR/L
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
YES!!!
What are some of the pros and cons?
PROS
• Employee participation in ergonomics is recognized globally as a best practice
• Including employees bridges gaps and improves relations between management
and front line staff (if there is a two-way communication loop)
• Including employees reveals opportunities for continuous improvement that
management is often unaware of
• Including employees leads to better solutions because they know their jobs
intimately

16. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Deborah Read, MOTR/L
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS? (continued)
CONS
• Including employees can reveal “problems” that management may be
overwhelmed with if management does not have a continuous improvement
mindset and a method of triaging what to tackle first, second, and third
• Including employees can reveal varied opinions that make it slower and harder to
make a decision if these opinions are not tracked to find a trend or majority
• Management will have to develop a compassionate way to communicate so as not
to stifle the flow of improvement ideas
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17. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Deborah Read, MOTR/L
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
First thing’s first…. initial ergonomics training provided vertically throughout an
organization. This helps to create a common language and an understanding of the personal
and business benefits of implementing ergonomic solutions.
After that, here are just some of many additional employee-involvement tactics:
• Ongoing Ergonomics Training for everyone, especially the “front line” employees and
supervisors
• More Advanced Training for Safety or Ergonomic Committees, Focus groups, or Task force
groups
• Employee Assistance with worksite analysis
• Sharing best practices
• Within-Site or Between-Site ergonomic solutions competitions (aka Ergo Cup Challenges)

18. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Deborah Read, MOTR/L
ABOUT
Consultant, Occupational Therapist, Trainer, and reluctant Superhero! Deborah
Read (aka ErgoGirl!) leads her team on their mission to stomp out workplace
injuries and optimize human productivity! It doesn’t matter if it’s an office, a
construction site, a manufacturing facility, a lab, or any other work
environment….the ErgoFit team is up for the challenge.
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20. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Misty Chapman, PT
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
If employees are working alongside with management to make decisions related
to improved work practices, they will feel more involved and take more personal
ownership of the program. One key area for employee’s we work with, is the
selection of equipment that will be installed on a particular line. Employees want
to be involved with the selection of equipment to ensure the “end product” that
they will be using, is user friendly, practical, and is acceptable for day to day
operations. With Engineers driving the design efforts, oftentimes employees feel
their voices are overshadowed.
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21. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Misty Chapman, PT
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
(continued)
Employee recognition is important to show the company’s appreciation. Some of our clients
recognize employee’s efforts by:
• Employees are recognized monthly, quarterly and yearly with monetary awards as well as other
prizes. Two outstanding ideas of the month and two of the best safety suggestions are chosen
each month. The winners receive monetary awards. Also, everyone who implements a
suggestion gets a t-shirt and another item, such as a jacket, sweatshirt or gym bag.
• At quarterly luncheons employees who participated in the program receive winning plaques and
awards. Three merit awards are given for suggestions not chosen as “Ideas of the Month” but
which were also noteworthy efforts. The employees’ managers or supervisors present the
awards. Formulate an employee involvement program that will engage and inspire all
employees.
Both management and employees need to work together to have an understanding of the
company’s objectives.

22. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Misty Chapman, PT
ABOUT
Misty J. Chapman, President/Senior Ergonomic Consultant of Ergonomics Consultants
of Indiana, is board certified in Physical Therapy and is certified in Ergonomics. Since
graduating from the University of Indianapolis and at the Indiana University-Purdue
University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), Ms. Chapman has over (12) years of expertise in
Industrial Ergonomics and Industrial Rehabilitation.
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23. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Steve Meagher, PT, CEAS
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
It is imperative to have the people actually doing the work
be involved in the ergonomics program. The way things are
designed and done can be very different. By having the floor
workers involved, the program has a better chance of
success.
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24. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Steve Meagher, PT, CEAS
ABOUT
Steve Meagher is a Physical therapist and founder of Site Solutions Inc.
His mission is to take the mystery out of ergonomics and help you
maximize employee productivity and safety.
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25. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Mark Middlesworth, ATC/L, CEES
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
My high school football coach was a great leader. Coach Law (I still call him “Coach” out
of my deep respect for him) was highly successful at his craft of coaching and leading our
team. Do you know what made him one of the greatest high school coaches of all time in
the state of Indiana…?
He respected and involved each team member in developing winning strategies and
tactics against our opponents.
Coach would constantly ask the team for our opinion and suggestions throughout
preparation and during each game. He would say, “You’re the one out there in the
trenches, what weaknesses do you see in the opponent? What do you think is the best
way we can attack these guys? Can you take your guy down, or should we run in the
other direction? What can we do differently that can help us move the ball forward? Do
you think “this” game plan will work?

26. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Mark Middlesworth, ATC/L, CEES
SHOULD TEAM MEMBERS BE INVOLVED IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
(continued)
Because we were always respected and involved as a “team”, my team mates and I
would run through a brick wall for our coach and each other. We were in it together, and
that made us a championship team.
Do I think we should involve team members in the ergonomics improvement process? I
don’t believe there’s anything more important.
Absolutely YES!
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27. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Mark Middlesworth, ATC/L, CEES
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
Genuinely respect them. Leadership matters, and great leaders communicate and
demonstrate that they value team members and their expertise. Team members
know their job demands better than anyone, so they should play an integral part in
developing winning strategies to reduce injury risk and improve work performance.
Team member involvement is the difference between winning and losing, and
involvement requires respect.
So maybe we should consider asking some questions like, “You’re the one out there
in the trenches, what are the most difficult aspects of the job for you? How do you
think we should attack this opponent? What do you think we could do to reduce the
high stress demands of the job? What can we do differently that can help us move
the ball forward? Do you think “this” ergonomic improvement plan will work?

28. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Mark Middlesworth, ATC/L, CEES
WHAT IS ONE WAY TO INVOLVE TEAM MEMBERS IN THE ERGONOMICS PROCESS?
(continued)
Respecting and involving your team members in the ergonomics improvement
process will lead to great results and a winning effort. If you’re in this together, your
team will reap the rewards of improved health and better performance.
They may not run through any brick walls, but involving your team members in the
ergonomic process will give your ergonomics process and company a tremendous
competitive advantage.
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29. ERGONOMICS EXPERT
Mark Middlesworth, ATC/L, CEES
ABOUT
Mark Middlesworth is the owner and president of Ergonomics Plus, a leading
ergonomics and injury prevention solutions provider.
Mark is a NATA Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Ergonomics
Evaluation Specialist. He has been directing workplace injury prevention
services since 1989, and still enjoys educating and motivating workplace
athletes toward better health each and every day.
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