Ergonomics

Empowerment by Design's (EbD) Work Enhancement assessment, training, and consulting services help clients reduce the costs associated with injury, improve worker comfort and performance, and create more productive work environments, thus realizing substantial returns on their ergonomics investments. 

Work Assessment

EbD has evaluated diverse clients in virtually all types of work and environments including manufacturing, manual material handling, office and business services, laboratory, healthcare, maintenance and facilities, veterinary, agriculture, dining and food service.  EbD performs detailed analysis of Person, Task, and Environment including:

• Digital Imaging
• Skilled Observation and Measurement
• Work and Life Activity Interview
• Comfort Survey
• On-site Education and Workspace Adjustment

The result is a comprehensive Work Enhancement Report with recommendations for safer and more productive job performance.  Reporting may also include digital images, product specifications, web/community resources, and life activity recommendations.  EbD provides the necessary follow-up contact to evaluate progress and ensure success.

“I really didn't know what to expect from an ergonomic assessment, but I knew I needed help. Empowerment by Design came to my office, observed how I worked, and then made simple suggestions that greatly improved my body position in relation to both my desk and my computer. My back and neck felt better immediately. I can't believe what a difference it's made in how I feel at the end of the day.”

Bob Riter
Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance

Group Training

Customized and rich with resources, EbD’s seminars can be designed to provide an introductory overview or intensive continuing education.  Topics include:

• Seating - experiential group chair adjustment sessions for optimal seating
• Lifting/Body Mechanics - for manual material handling, computer/office, custodial/maintenance, dining/food service, and other physically demanding work
• Visual Issues - related to computer and other visually demanding tasks
• Lifestyle Design - a system of life activity analysis and planning services to help clients better cope with the demands of work
• Ergonomics Team Development – empowering clients to identify and address ergonomic issues “in-house” for reduced risk of injuries and improved productivity for any job requirements.  EbD can train new ergonomics liaisons/committees from the ground up as well as provide experienced teams with ongoing education and resources. 

Work Enhancement Consulting

Ergonomic and therapeutic principles should be taken into consideration when making production, lighting, design/layout, furniture, computer accessory, environmental accessibility, tool design, work flow/job rotation, and work/life configuration decisions.  EbD provides a valuable data and perspective to ensure that these principles are intergrated into all work processes.  Consulting services are customized and scaled to fit any size business and budget.

• Enhanced Productivity
• Reduced Injury
• Greater Environmental Sustainability
• Reduced Energy Costs
• Inclusive Accessibility to Environment and Services
• A Stronger Bottom Line

Client Lifestyle

Most ergonomic consultants would agree that life outside of work can have a significant impact on client comfort and performance at work. However, virtually none will make an effort to consider employee lifestyle in their evaluation process. EbD stands alone in our commitment to engage, educate and provide resources for clients to set and achieve lifestyle goals so they may better cope with the demands of their work.  Below are case descriptions illustrating EbD Work Enhancement.

• Michelle, a university administrative assistant, had recently missed work because of shoulder tendonitis due to the repetitive nature of her computer work.  The EbD consultant made seating, computer accessory, and lighting recommendations, but also became aware that the client had increased her hours at work and fallen out of her fitness routine.  The consultant reminded her of the importance of a fitness program, particularly aerobic and postural conditioning along with a large upper body movement component. Through a discussion of activities that would accomplish these objectives, it was discovered that the client had previously enjoyed paddling. Once the client realized the potential work and health benefits of resuming this activity, she was empowered to enhance her lifestyle and to better cope with the demands of her job. 
  
  
• A team of field workers had a history of discomfort and injuries related to the strenuous nature of their pruning work. The EbD evaluators made job rotation, tool design, and body mechanics recommendations, but acknowledged that the demands of this manual work continued to present the risk for injury, particularly in the back and shoulder regions. The consultants stressed the importance of being physically prepared for this job and recommended a group strengthening routine that would specifically condition the body regions most at risk.  The consultants referred the team to a fitness instructor with experience in work related programs who developed a low cost resistive exercise routine, trained employee to do the exercises properly, and supported the team leader so he could run the exercise group regularly. The employees have reported improved comfort and fewer injuries while having become healthier and better prepared for their work.  

Selected List of Clients   

• Cornell University—EbD has coordinated Cornell’s Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program, (MIPP), since the Spring 2005. 

  Client Highlight - The Cornell MIPP

  Cornell University’s Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program (MIPP) was conceived nearly 10 years ago to reduce the costs and negative impacts of employee back injuries.  Today, the MIPP is a project of the Office of Human Resources, Benefit Services.  Ergonomics initiatives have become an integral part of the interdisciplinary team committed to reducing employee injury at Cornell. 

  Empowerment by Design has coordinated the MIPP since the spring of 2005.  We have provided on-site ergonomic assessment and training services as a benefit to hundreds of University employees with diverse job descriptions.  EbD is proud to be advancing the mission of the MIPP, raising awareness of ergonomic issues and contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce at Cornell. 

• BorgWarner Morse TEC
• NYS Department of Labor—Tompkins Workforce NY
• gimme! Coffee, Inc.
• Alternatives Federal Credit Union
• Knight Associates, Architects.
• Brown and Michaels, PC