What is Industrial Ergonomics?

What is Industrial Ergonomics

Workers aren’t always the priority when designing work. It’s sometimes assumed they’ll find a way to do their jobs with the tools at hand or find a new employer. But it’s always easier, safer and more productive to fit work to the worker – a concept known as ergonomics.

So, what is industrial ergonomics? At a basic level, it’s adapting industrial workplaces to suit the people in them. This guide examines how ergonomics can be applied in industry, what goes wrong when it’s ignored and why workers need to understand the principles.

Key Takeaways

  • What is industrial ergonomics? It is the practice of designing industrial workplaces to suit workers, making tasks less physically demanding and safer as a result.
  • What does industrial ergonomics mean in practice? It means protecting workers from poor posture, repetitive motions and physical strain to minimise injury risks.
  • The importance of ergonomics lies in reducing the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which develop from repetitive or physically demanding tasks.
  • Workers need to understand ergonomics to identify early signs of injury, adjust their work techniques and use tools and equipment correctly for long-term safety.

What is Industrial Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of making work safer by reducing the physical strain involved.

Imagine you’re assembling flat-pack furniture but your screwdriver has disappeared. It’s ok – you can use a penny instead. But after only two or three twists, the pain of clutching the coin by your fingertips will probably make you reverse your decision.

This scenario is repeated too often across workplaces. People are expected to do their jobs without proper tools, well-designed workstations or an awareness of body mechanics. Inevitably, they need to make up for these deficiencies by putting in more effort, which increases the physical strain on their bodies. Workers who do this regularly are likely to get hurt.

Industrial ergonomics is finding ways to make tasks easier and safer in industrial workplaces. Workers will be more productive and less injury-prone if you reduce the physical effort they need to apply to their jobs.

Industrial Ergonomics for Workers Training Course

Our IIRSM-approved Industrial Ergonomics for Workers Training course provides a practical understanding of applying ergonomics to reduce injury risks. Workers will learn how to identify inefficient and hazardous work practices, and implement ergonomic principles that improve productivity and support long-term health.

What are Examples of Industrial Ergonomics?

Workplaces are always different, but industrial ergonomic programmes typically include the following:

  • Rotating job roles and allowing breaks: Using the same muscle groups for long periods increases fatigue and injury risks. Swapping tasks and taking breaks gives workers opportunities to rest.
  • Providing trollies and carts: Lifting loads manually is a common source of injuries. Using equipment to move items reduces the bodily force needed, so it lowers injury risks.
  • Training workers: Moving items with poor technique is another injury risk. Training workers on proper manual handling techniques will help them work safely.

Why is Industrial Ergonomics Important?

Repetitive or physically intense work increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

MSDs are soft tissue injuries that affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Specific disorders include:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Lower back pain
  • Tendonitis

Industrial workers are more vulnerable to MSDs because their jobs inevitably require physical effort or repetitive motions. (Even small movements are problematic if they’re repeated over and over.)

Employers have a duty to prevent work-related harm. So, MSD risks must be managed. Elimination is the preferred (i.e. safest) option, but industrial workers will always use their hands or body in some way. So, you need to reduce injury risks by applying ergonomic principles.

Why is Industrial Ergonomics Important

How Does Industrial Ergonomics Prevent Injuries?

Industrial ergonomics prevents injuries by reducing the physical strain workers experience during their tasks. It focuses on addressing key risk factors – posture, force and frequency – through better workplace design and practices.

Posture

Poor posture puts stress on the body, especially the back, shoulders and neck. When workers bend, twist or adopt awkward positions, it increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

How ergonomics helps: Adjusting workstation heights and providing tools designed for comfort encourages neutral body positions. For example, angled assembly tables reduce the need for bending.

Force

High-effort work is high-risk. Injuries are more likely when tasks involve lifting or pulling heavy loads. Even forceful pinching or gripping of hand tools can lead to MSDs.

How ergonomics helps: Introducing mechanical aids, like hoists or trolleys, reduces the force workers need to apply. Tools with ergonomic grips also decrease hand strain.

Frequency

Repetitive tasks still cause wear and tear on the body, even if they don’t require much force. Holding the same position for extended periods is another frequent injury risk.

How ergonomics helps: Rotating workers between tasks and allowing regular breaks protects specific muscle groups from overuse.

repetitive tasks - frequency

Temperature

Workers will fatigue faster in extreme heat or cold, and tired workers are less able to apply safe techniques consistently. Low temperatures also make it harder to grip tools, which means workers will have to apply more force to use them.

How ergonomics helps: Workplaces should be no colder than 16°C or 13°C if work is physically vigorous. Providing temperature-appropriate gear, such as insulated gloves, helps workers maintain comfort and control during their tasks.

Do Workers Need to Understand Industrial Ergonomics?

Workers absolutely need to understand industrial ergonomics. Soft tissue injuries aren’t typically sudden. They develop over time, starting as a dull ache or discomfort. Workers will often ignore this pain or wrongly accept it as part of their job.

Musculoskeletal disorders aren’t tied to obvious hazards, either. Using a screwdriver or picking up a box doesn’t seem dangerous, so workers won’t always apply the necessary level of care.

So, it’s likely one or more employees won’t recognise the risks of physically demanding or repetitive work, particularly if they’re younger or new to the workplace. The former might be a little overconfident in their physical abilities. The latter won’t have first-hand experience of working safely.

As the employer, it’s your duty to make all employees aware of the risks they face. You must provide adequate instruction and training on workplace hazards and how to manage them.

Ergonomics Training for Workers

If your workers can’t answer, “What is industrial ergonomics?” we have the solution. Our online Industrial Ergonomics for Workers training course equips frontline employees with an understanding of ergonomic hazards and helps employers fulfil training requirements.

Course users will learn to identify injury risks, recognise early signs of MSDs and implement control measures while working. This essential knowledge helps create a safer, more efficient environment where workers can stay healthy and productive.

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Jonathan Goby

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