With the economy weakening, many organizations have begun to look for new ways to ensure that their workers remain productive during uncertain times. One area companies can investigate is ergonomics.

That was a prominent theme at the sixth annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition, held recently in Las Vegas, Nev. Conference sessions focused on the benefits of good ergonomics in improving workplace health, safety and bottom-line performance, with a strong emphasis on materials handling applications.

"Ergonomics is the tool [companies] use to better match human capital, workers, with equipment and processes," said ErgoWeb Inc. President Dr. Peter Budnick, Ph.D., CPE. "The rewards are not just reduced injury costs, but often dramatic savings through increased productivity and quality."

Unfortunately, companies often pay less attention to ergonomics when times get tough than they do in boom times, said Budnick. Yet the benefits of good ergonomics are so great that companies should continue to focus their efforts in that area even in a downturn, he argued. "Efficient use of resources, including human labor, is just smart business, and that's what ergonomics is, smart business," Budnick said. "And smart companies are discovering an untapped gold mine [with good ergonomics] in their materials handling operations."

At the conference, representatives from several companies spoke about the issues surrounding the implementation of ergonomics programs at their facilities. John Leyenberger, divisional risk control director for Wal-Mart Stores, explained that a solid ergonomics program can have a significant effect on many key pressure points in the warehouse. He attributed improved efficiency, increased worker morale, reduced injuries and lower turnover in his company's facilities directly to the retailer's ergonomics programs.

Mike DaPrile, vice president of manufacturing and operations support at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., considered ergonomics from the point of view of a manufacturer. "As the pace of change increases and the industrial markets grow ever more competitive, the necessity of lean, flexible manufacturing systems becomes crucial to long-term stability, growth, and ultimately survival," he said. "Debilitating injuries requiring time on modified duty or off work compromise the ability of companies to maintain a lean system."