This study provides guidance for developing systematic, preventive measures and recommendations in designing office ergonomics interventions with the goal of reducing musculoskeletal and visual discomfort while enhancing office and computer workers' performance and safety.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS The application of ergonomics principles can reduce the number, severity, and costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Increasingly, academic and practitioner research demonstrates that ergonomic improvements also contribute to manufacturing operating efficiency and a company's profitability. This article examines whether it is possible to identify business benefits achieved through ergonomics interventions via an ergonomics award process. The projects, conducted independently at numerous manufacturing locations and submitted to a global company's internal ergonomics award process, were reviewed for effect upon both work-related musculoskeletal disorders and operational efficiency. The results suggest the award process was successful in gathering relevant information about the projects, and that a macroergonomics program methodology along with a participatory approach supported successful results. A cost-benefit estimation showed positive effects in operational efficiency and work-related musculoskeletal disorders reduction. Possible improvements to the award submission process were identified.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: As documented by academics and practitioners, and generally accepted by the popular media, application of ergonomics principles can reduce the number, severity, and costs of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. Research increasingly demonstrates that ergonomic improvements also contribute to manufacturing operating efficiency and a company's profitability. Purpose: To expand the body of practitioner-based knowledge related to the benefits that may be realized through implementing an ergonomics program in industry, focusing on the physical aspects of work. Specifically considered is the importance of a macroergonomic, company-wide process to define how risk assessments are conducted, how interventions are chosen and measured, and how results are summarized. Method: Eighteen case studies, selected from among 166 submitted to a global manufacturing company's internal ergonomics award process were reviewed. Results: A macroergonomics program methodology, in combination with a participatory approach, supported success in terms of reduced work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk and operational efficiency. Specifically, information about how projects were identified and who participated as team members demonstrates the importance of a participatory approach to achieve positive results. Conclusion: The case study results, based upon a practitioner perspective, suggest that operational efficiency and workrelated musculoskeletal disorder reduction are often both improved by ergonomic interventions in the workplace, which is consistent with similar findings in earlier research. However, requiring more specific and standardized cost and benefit information in an award submission process is likely to provide more complete information about project results in a manner of value to practitioners, academia, and business. A future challenge is to gain more specific informa...

The added value of the Ergonomics Program at 3M w as found to be improved employee safety, compliance with regulations and reduction of work-related illness, increases in productivity, and quality and operating efficiency. This paper describes the th irty years of existence of this program. For the first twenty years, the progr am objectives wer e to: respond to requests for a ssistance re lated to work-related musculoskeletal dis order (W MSD) concerns , r aise em ployee a wareness of MSDs and ergo nomics; educate engineers in ergonomics design; and develop ergonomics teams at manufacturing locations.Since the year 2000, 3M's Ergonomics Program has been in transition from a US-centric and corporate-based technical-expertled program to a global progr am applying participatory ergonomics strategies within a macroergo nomics framework. During that transition, the ex isting program requi rements were r evised, new methods and program tools we re created, and expectations for implementation at the manufacturing locations clarified. This paper focuses on the company's manufacturing ergonomics program activities du ring the past ten years and includes specifics of the program's objectives, risk assessment reduction process, and ergonomics technical expertise development. The main benefit achieved throughout the company is reducing employee injury while also increasing productivity and operating efficiency.

The objective of this panel is to discuss professionalism and leadership in human factors and ergonomics, namely as they pertain to women in the field. As part of this panel, we aim to provide opportunities and guidance for extending the representation of women in leadership roles throughout the field. The panel will be led by Gabriella Hancock and Kimberly Stowers who will introduce the panel and its role in the HF/E Women’s Organization for Mentoring and Networking’s larger campaign to foster professional development for future leaders. Panelists will offer their unique perspective(s) on leadership and professional development leveraging their diverse training(s), experiences, career paths, and perspectives on leadership. Members of the audience are encouraged to come prepared with questions for panelists to better learn the panelists’ thoughts, opinions, and strategies concerning what could and should be done to encourage female leadership in the future. Drs. Hancock and Stowers will foster discussion amongst the panelists, and invite questions and participation from the general audience.

The aim of this project is to present two case studies and provide job assessment results, share implemented solutions, and provide information about realized cost and benefits. In this session, two cases studies, one from São José do Rio Preto and the other from Sumaré, will be presented. These projects won AEIA awards in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The projects describe the application of the Ergonomic Risk Reduction Program, which both improves worker's quality of life and productivity and product quality as well.