The ergonomics business case

Responding is Greg Duncan, MELP, CSP, senior EHS and ESG content manager, VelocityEHS, Chicago.

The short answer is to make sure you demonstrate the business value of your ergonomics process to as broad an audience as possible. It’s important to build a business case that aligns closely with the unique interests of all affected stakeholders and communicates that value in the languages that those stakeholders speak.

That said, here are three high-level value points that will help form the foundation for an ergonomics business case that will resonate with a broad range of stakeholders.

Value 1: Reduced MSD-related injury costs

Musculoskeletal disorder-related injury costs are a significant driver of investment in ergonomics process improvements. According to Liberty Mutual’s 2023 Workplace Safety Index, MSD injuries account for roughly 30% of all nonfatal occupational injuries involving days away from work and cost employers more than $12.8 billion a year in medical costs and lost wages annually.

In terms of workers’ compensation costs, a 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that looks at workers’ comp claims for MSD injuries between 2007 and 2017 shows that the average total cost per claim was $25,932 among workers ages 45-54 years.

Highlight these costs in your business case to show the impact of MSD injuries and the benefits of ergonomics improvements. A 2021 North Carolina State University Ergonomics Center report shows that reducing MSD risk factors led to a 68% drop in workers’ comp costs, 39% lower costs per claim, 75% fewer lost workdays and 53% fewer restricted workdays.

Value 2: Increased efficiency and productivity

Injury costs alone may not always sway stakeholders to support ergonomics process improvements, especially for those organizations experiencing low numbers of MSD injuries and claims. Either way, your ergonomics business case should also highlight opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity by helping reduce cycle times, streamlining processes and workstation designs, and maximizing worker effort. Multiple studies, including the NC State University Ergonomics Center report, found that ergonomics improvements increased productivity by an average of 25%.

Value 3: Employee well-being and workplace culture

The most effective ergonomics processes are those that emphasize active worker participation. Involving employees in identifying risks, implementing solutions and pursuing continuous improvement fosters a culture of engagement and genuine buy-in for ergonomics improvements. These improvements help further reinforce that culture by reducing fatigue, discomfort and other psychosocial risks that negatively impact health and well-being. The NC State study found that organizations managing MSD risks saw a 48% drop in turnover and a 58% reduction in absenteeism.

Final thoughts

Ergonomics improvements drive cost savings, productivity and a stronger workplace culture. But to build a truly persuasive business case, always engage your stakeholders to understand their unique interests and priorities, and tailor your business case around them to secure lasting buy-in. For help building your case and evaluating financial return on investment, refer to this Ergonomics ROI Calculator.

Editor's note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be considered a National Safety Council endorsement.