info@bostontec.com, Author at BOSTONtec

10 Impressive Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace

by [email protected] | Aug 25, 2025 | Ergonomics

While there is little doubt that ergonomics has numerous benefits, there is still a lot to be done in many of today’s workplaces, be it the office, service, or industrial environments.

You can utilize ergonomics to decrease injury and boost physical efficiency. Research shows that successful implementation requires continuous commitment and genuine employee participation. You can do this properly by educating yourself on when and how to implement it.

Keep reading to learn more about how altering your workspace can improve your business.

Before we get into ten impressive benefits of ergonomics in the workplace, let’s define what workplace ergonomics is.

What Are Workplace Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is a branch of science that strives to reduce workplace injuries by designing with humans in mind.

Jobs that involve awkward postures and/or repetitive movements can lead to several musculoskeletal injuries over time. These include:

Tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Epicondylitis
DeQuervain’s disease
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Tension neck syndrome
Eyestrain
Back pain

From an industrial standpoint, the ergonomic definition comes from OSHA guidelines. They call ergonomic principles the act of “fitting a job to a person”.

This reflects the fact that ergonomic design isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. You’ll have to adjust equipment for the height, wingspan, and other characteristics of the person using it.

Now that we understand what workplace ergonomics means, let’s look at ten benefits and advantages that lay out the importance of ergonomics in the workplace.

Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace

1. Health Benefits

People who work in ergonomic workplaces benefit from improved health. The effect of ergonomics starts within the cardiovascular system and spreads to other areas. Your heart will be healthier than it would be if you worked in a standard environment. Ergonomics can improve the health of your employees by reducing work-related injuries, most often caused by strains and over-exertion.

Ergonomic workstations can help you and your employees feel less tension in your body because you’ll adjust the workstations to fit your height. A neutral position will prevent you from straining your eyes, neck, and back. Your legs can also benefit from better blood flow.

2. Improved Productivity

Ergonomic workplaces are efficient workplaces. Ergonomic workstations combine different ideas to improve workers’ ability to complete their tasks—from organizing items and supplies to integrating computer equipment and monitors. An optimized workstation allows a worker to focus on their task and not be distracted by discomfort or a lack of organization. The more focused your employees are, the higher the level of productivity they can have.

3. Improved Mental Clarity

Reducing physical discomfort and improving your posture can improve your mental clarity and allow you to do your work more successfully. Ergonomics can also help you reduce stress and improve your concentration.

When you’re feeling comfortable, you can focus better on your work. Ergonomics helps decrease pain, strengthen muscles, and increase blood flow. Combined, this can improve mental insight.

The improved moods and focus will allow you and your employees to be more productive and engaged in your work.

4. Decreased Pains

Ergonomics focuses on optimizing the design of the workplace, tools, and equipment to reduce strain on employees, minimize fatigue, and improve overall comfort and safety.

Ergonomics can also help improve posture and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, by providing ergonomically designed chairs, desks, other furniture, and adjustable workstations. By creating an ergonomically designed work environment, employers can help to ensure that employees remain healthy and productive.

5. Eliminates Hazards

Part of creating a more productive work environment is eliminating the daily hazards that can hurt your employees. Ergonomics contributes to identifying and eliminating hazards in the workplace by creating work environments that are tailored to fit the user.

Additionally, ergonomics helps to create a better environment by reducing distractions, providing suitable lighting and ventilation, and providing adjustable furniture and equipment, all of which help eliminate potential workplace hazards.

it is also a good idea to ask your employees about what hazards they see in their environment. By asking for their input, you’re showing interest in them. Implementing the change will show them they’ve been heard, which will further help with employee engagement.

6. Quality Of Work Improves

The benefits of ergonomic workspaces range from employee well-being to the quality of work. Aches, pains, fatigue, and other problems can affect a worker. Ergonomics can eliminate those issues and help workers work.

Additionally, ergonomics can help ensure that employees are using the most effective tools and equipment to do their job and that they can reach and use the tools and equipment safely. A straightforward example is the way how proper lighting can reduce the number of mistakes that happen in a work process just by ensuring the worker can adequately see all details.

7. Reduce Absenteeism

Ergonomics can improve absenteeism by helping prevent workplace injuries that lead to missed workdays and creating a more comfortable working environment for employees.

Ergonomic practices can also reduce employee fatigue and stress, which can be physical or psychological factors contributing to absenteeism.

Encourage your workers to take regular breaks, change postures frequently, and adjust their workstations to fit their body size and shape better.

Finally, promote positive health behaviors by providing resources and encouraging your employees to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.

8. Focus on Safety

Ergonomics will create a safer work environment and increase awareness. You’ll remove hazards, improve workstations for less discomfort, and teach your employees to update their spaces with safety in mind.

Not to mention, the health benefits that come with ergonomics keep employees healthy at work. This will encourage safety on another level. You can keep your work consistent and stable by providing employees with a safe environment they can thrive in.

9. Increased Employee Satisfaction

The more you lean into the ergonomics culture, the more positive your work environment will be.

Ergonomics in the workplace can help improve employee satisfaction by reducing physical and mental stress. As a result, your employees will enjoy coming to work more than they did before, affecting those around them.

10. Lower Insurance Costs

Ergonomics in the workplace can help lower your insurance costs by reducing the risk of employees suffering from work-related injuries and illnesses. By reducing the number of Workers’ Compensation claims, you could be able to save on insurance premiums.

Ergonomic improvements such as adjustable workstations, ergonomic chairs and keyboards, and improved lighting can help reduce employee fatigue and improve your overall working environment. In such an ergonomic work environment, your employees are less likely to become injured on the job.

In addition, implementing ergonomic policies and programs can provide you with greater legal protection in case of a worker injury.

More Ideas

According to the National Institutes of Health, even small adjustments can improve comfort and productivity. They recommend the following for adults:

Eye exercises
Back exercises
Warming up first
Proper rest

For industrial environments, we recommend paying particular attention to these areas:

Provide adjustable workstations where possible
Ensure adequate lighting
Schedule regular training sessions
Encourage frequent stretches and breaks

Designing for Ergonomics in the Workplace

It’s hard to picture ergonomics at work in your company if you haven’t incorporated the philosophy before.

To get you started, here are a few things to consider as you make changes to your workplace.

Get an Ergonomic Assessment

When the health of your employees is on the line, it’s often best to start by calling in an expert. Consider having a professional (often a physical or occupational therapist) evaluate your facility and offer recommendations. One such professional consulting institution is The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina State University.

Even if you don’t have a formal assessment done, ask your employees how you could improve their workspaces and procedures. They know their jobs best and live with the consequences—good or bad—every day of their lives. They’ll be able to give you valuable insight into whether their tasks and spaces are ergonomic or not.

Ask Employees to Report Injuries

Many times, employees are afraid to tell their managers about developing repetitive stress injuries. They fear backlash, being passed up for promotions, or other negative consequences. This can lead to ignoring minor injuries until they’re serious enough to warrant a workers’ comp claim.

To keep this from happening, encourage your staff members to report cumulative stress injuries as soon as they start to notice discomfort. Inform them that you’re working to improve both your equipment and processes to keep them healthy. Make sure they know they won’t get in trouble for speaking up, especially since their input can also help others who work the same job.

Minimize Awkward and Stressful Motions

In many industrial jobs, like packing, shipping, and material handling, repetitive motions are unavoidable. What you can avoid, though, are repetitive motions that are awkward or place undue stress on the body.

Make sure that your workstations keep everything within the proper ergonomic reach zones. Your employees should never have to twist or strain to reach items or operate the equipment.

Don’t ignore the little things. Even changing the angle of a computer monitor, raising the height of a workstation, or providing a cushioned mat to stand on can make a huge difference.

Think Adjustable

Remember that workplace ergonomics have to fit individuals. Even if you make great accommodations for your first-shift employees, the benefits may go out the window if you leave things set up the same for the next shift.

Rather than setting up a different workstation to match each employee, invest in moveable and adjustable equipment. Using carts on casters instead of stationary tables can accommodate both right- and left-handed workers. Adjustable-height cantilever stations adapt to short and tall employees alike with the press of a button.

A modern ergonomic workstation should be able to accommodate 90% of your users with ease. For the other 10%, adding accessories like a stool can still make it comfortable to use.

To make the transition between users easier, have each employee adjust the equipment to their needs and then mark the setting with their initials or a colored sticker. That way, when it’s time for a shift change, no one has to waste time figuring out how high they should raise chairs or tables. In addition, our powered workstations offer memory settings on the control switches that allow them to store their ergonomically sound working height.

Custom Workstations

Every industrial facility has different supplies, processes, and goals. As such, the ergonomic workstation your employees need often doesn’t exist in a mass-produced format.

When planning a custom workstation design, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make a list of every item the job requires. Organize that list by priority and frequency of use.

Next, make sure your employees will have easy access to all the inventory they use regularly. All their primary equipment should fall within the ergonomic reach zones mentioned earlier.

Finally, optimize your material handling processes. Provide equipment that keeps employees from having to lift heavy items up to their workstations or carry them for long distances.

Our 3D Builder tool will help you design workstations that meet the unique needs of your workforce and work processes.

Explain How to Use the New Equipment

Last but not least, even the best ergonomic equipment can lead to injuries if your employees don’t know how to use it. Make sure to go over how to adjust workstations, avoid awkward motions, and use proper lifting techniques.

Time to Implement an Ergonomics Program

Now that you’re aware of the essential benefits of ergonomics in the workplace and understand the initial considerations for incorporating ergonomics, it’s time to start implementing changes.

A good starting point is to plan your workstations. Make sure to consult with employees to gather their opinions and combine them with your own insights.

Analyze your situation, the layout, and your needs before making changes. With proper planning, you will achieve the best possible workplace.

For more information, you should read more tips about helping set up ergonomic workstations for your business.

If you’d like to see how these ergonomic improvements positively impact businesses in real life, take a look at this customer success story. It walks you through, step by step, how a leading auto parts distributor used ergonomic solutions to significantly improve workflow within the facility.

Enjoy Your Ergonomic Work Environment Today

You’re one step closer to a better work environment for you and your co-workers. Now that you know these ten impressive benefits of ergonomics in the workplace, it’s time to shift things around. Remember to share with your employees the tips you learned today.

You can improve your business with the right resources and advice. We provide you with the information you need to succeed. Explore our ergonomics resource page for more in-depth information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is ergonomics important in the workplace?

Ergonomics “fits the job to the person,” which OSHA notes lessens muscle fatigue, reduces the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders, and boosts overall productivity. OSHA

How does an ergonomic workstation improve productivity?

BOSTONtec’s industrial study recorded an 18 percent faster cycle time and a 27 percent lean-process gain once work heights, reach zones, and part presentation were optimized. Review the full findings here: BostontecErgonomics Study

What specific benefits can employees expect?

In regard to WMSDs, OSHA notes fewer cases of tendonitis, carpal-tunnel syndrome, and chronic back pain when tasks and tools are adjusted to neutral postures, proper reaches, and reduced force. OSHA

Can ergonomics improve mental clarity and focus?

The Harvard COGfx study found that enhancing ventilation and overall indoor-environment quality more than doubled cognitive-function test scores compared with conventional offices. The COGfx Study

Which workplace hazards can ergonomics help eliminate?

OSHA’s hazard-control guidance highlights adjustable benches, anti-glare task lights, and slide-out shelves as ways to remove awkward lifts and repetitive wrist deviation. OSHA

How does ergonomics affect absenteeism?

A NIOSH follow-up audit showed lost or restricted workdays dropping from 610 to 190 per 100 workers after five years of ergonomic improvements, a reduction of more than 50 percent. CDC

Can investing in ergonomics lower insurance costs?

Over 60 percent of chief financial officers in an OSHA-cited survey reported that each dollar spent on injury prevention returns two dollars or more through lower claims and higher productivity. OSHA

Does ergonomics influence overall work quality?

Cornell University research found that bringing office temperature closer to thermal-comfort targets reduced data-entry errors by 44 percent and increased keying output by 150 percent. ergo.human.cornell.edu

How does ergonomics boost employee satisfaction?

Participatory-ergonomics programs that let workers help shape their workspaces consistently report higher morale and stronger engagement.

What is the ROI for ergonomic workstations?

We created an interactive ROI calculator to help you estimate the long-term savings of investing in ergonomic workstations. Access it here.

What quick ergonomic wins can a small business implement?

Store bench-height presets for each shift.
Add adjustable monitor arms and keyboard trays.
Provide anti-fatigue mats and schedule micro-break stretches every 30 minutes.
Use mobile carts so heavy items stay below elbow height.

Ergonomic Risks Series: How to Optimize Your Reaching in the Workplace?

by [email protected] | Mar 6, 2025 | Productivity, Ergonomics

Excessive reaching in the workplace is a major ergonomic risk, contributing to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that impact worker health and productivity.

This article explores the risks associated with reaching, common injuries, and effective strategies to minimize these hazards.

We cover engineering controls such as selecting the right type of workbenches and accessories, setting up the ergonomic reach zones as well as administrative controls like job rotation and training. In addition, various ergonomic assessment methods are introduced to identify potential risks of reaching.

By implementing these solutions, companies can create safer, healthier, and more efficient work environments.

What Are Ergonomic Risks?

Ergonomic risks are the aspects of a task that impose biomechanical stress and cause wear and tear on the body. Exposure to ergonomic risks in the workplace can cause or contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

Ergonomic Risks of Reaching

Workers in the material handling industry perform a lot of tasks that involve reaching – whether for tools, equipment, components, products, or reference materials.

When the placement of these items is not optimized, operators are exposed to awkward postures. They also spend more time than necessary locating what they need.

If the awkward postures happen frequently, the body doesn’t have enough time to recover between reaches. Risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders increase significantly.

Reaching can contribute to various MSDs. The severity of the risk depends on factors like the frequency of reaching, the force required, the distance reached, and the worker’s posture.

Common Injuries Associated with Reaching

Shoulder and Neck Injuries: Reaching overhead or across the body can strain the shoulder and neck muscles, potentially leading to pain, inflammation, and rotator cuff damage.
Back Injuries: Twisting or bending while reaching places stress on the back muscle, increasing the risk of lower back pain and spinal injuries.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repeated reaching and gripping can compress the median nerve in the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers, known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Tendonitis and Bursitis: Overuse of arm and shoulder muscles from repetitive reaching can lead to inflammation of tendons (tendonitis) or swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints (bursitis).

Minimizing Ergonomic Risks

Reducing ergonomic risks from reaching requires a holistic approach that considers the worker, the task, and the environment. It is also important to keep in mind individual workers’ physical abilities and limitations.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls involve modifying the workplace or equipment to eliminate or reduce ergonomic hazards. These solutions are the most effective ways to minimize reaching risks.

Select the Right Type of Workbench

Some awkward postures are due to the height of the work surfaces. If a workbench is shared by multiple operators and the height is not adjustable, the work surface could be too high or too low for some employees. Constant exposure to awkward postures increases their risk of repetitive stress injuries. One solution could be an electric height adjustable workbench controlled with just the touch of a button. It supports 5th to 95th-percentile operators in a sitting or standing posture.

The size of the workbench also matters. It needs to be large enough to support the required tasks but small enough to minimize operator reach.

Set up Ergonomic Reach Zones

How the workstation is laid out and set up greatly influences the user experience. Here is an example. When a frequently used item is placed at the rear of the workbench, it forces the operator to perform long reaches. It takes longer to reach the item each time. In addition, it could lead to shoulder injuries when soft tissue is used repeatedly to maintain awkward postures.

Careful planning and thoughtful design which takes into consideration the ergonomics of operator reach can improve productivity and prevent injuries.

Organize all the items on the workstation according to their priorities and assign them to the proper ergonomic reach zones.

Zone 1: High-use items, easiest access

Zone 2: Medium-use items, comfortable reach

Zone 3: Low-use items, reduction in efficiency

Zone 4: Storage

Our Plan Your Workstation Guide can walk you through the optimization process in detail.

Get in the Green Zone with Specialized Accessories

Accessories designed with flexibility and ergonomic principles in mind can help eliminate extreme movements associated with reaching. Here are some examples.

Articulating bin holder can support up to three rows of assorted-size storage bins. You can have your small essential items within easy reach when needed. They swing out of the way when not in use, making for a clutter-free workspace.
Adjustable shelf with tilt reduces wrist strain when users repeatedly reaching for objects. The tilting angle can be adjusted for easy and comfortable reach of individual operators.
Drawer cabinet with stacked drawers can store tools, equipment, and supplies making them easily accessible when needed. It frees the work surface space for the most frequently used items while performing a task.
Work surface with rollers, ball transfers, and tilt assists with lifting and moving of heavy items. It reduces the force required to reach and process the heavy items thus minimizing the associated ergonomic risks.
When packing material is stored under the work surface, operators have to bend their hips and waist every time they reach for it. A Spool holder keeps bubble wrap easily accessible to the operator and allows the body to remain upright in a neutral position.
Box building and packaging of boxes on work surface force an operator to reach above the shoulder into the box. It exposes them to extremely awkward postures while slowing down the process. Under work surface box-building shelf keeps arms under shoulder height while performing the task and minimizes non-value-added movements.

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls involve changes in work practices or procedures to reduce ergonomic risks. Key strategies include:

Job Rotation: Alternate tasks among workers to help prevent repetitive reaching and distribute the physical strain across multiple muscle groups.
Work/Rest Cycles: Implement regular breaks to reduce fatigue from extended reaching and allow for muscle recovery.
Training: Educate workers on ergonomic principles, proper lifting techniques, and effective equipment usage to mitigate reaching risks.

Ergonomic Assessment

Various ergonomic assessment methods can be used to evaluate workstations and tasks to identify potential risks associated with reaching. They can guide the implementation of ergonomic solutions. These assessments consider factors such as posture, force, repetition, and duration to determine the level of ergonomic risk.

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA): Assesses the shoulders, elbows, wrists, neck, and trunk for exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Application: Jobs involving upper limb movements, such as assembly line work and medical assembly.

Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA): Evaluates the whole body for risks of musculoskeletal disorders associated with specific tasks. Application: A wide range of industrial jobs, including warehousing, fulfillment operations, and patient handling in healthcare.

Liberty Mutual Manual Material Handling Tables (SNOOK Tables): Provides tables for evaluating lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying tasks to reduce low back injury and disability. Application: Jobs involving manual material handling, common in warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Read our blog on Ergonomic Evaluation to learn more about these methods and applications.

Conclusion

Excessive reaching poses significant ergonomic risks in various industrial environments. By implementing a combination of engineering controls and administrative controls, companies can effectively minimize these risks, protect worker health, streamline workflows, and improve productivity.

A proactive approach to ergonomics, including regular assessments, employee involvement, and continuous improvement, is crucial for creating a safe and efficient work environment.

Explore our 3D Workstation Builder to start building an ergonomic workstation that reduces the exposure to ergonomic risks in your workplace.

Three Ways You Can Improve Space Utilization and Efficiency in Your Warehouse

by [email protected] | Sep 27, 2021 | Productivity, Ergonomics

The continuous growth of e-commerce has posed many challenges to online fulfillment operations. Compounded by a shortage of labor and industrial real estate, warehouses and distribution centers struggle to achieve more output with limited resources. Efficient space utilization, as well as a happy and productive workforce, have become critical success factors.

A lot of companies have turned to technology and automation to address their pain points. However, many vital tasks remain to be performed by human operators. It is important to ensure a seamless integration of systems to maximize the benefits.

This article looks at three solutions to optimize your workspace and speed up your order fulfillment processes.

Vertical storage solutions hand in hand with ergonomic workstations

Vertical storage solutions can deliver impressive results by fully utilizing the horizontal and vertical space in the warehouses. Instead of running up and down the aisles between racks, operators push a button to have items brought to them. Compact storage and automated retrieval improve order picking accuracy and efficiency while saving valuable floor space. But what happens next after the items are retrieved? Here lies the great opportunity to further maximize the throughput of warehouses.

In the following configuration, a group of BOSTONtec standing workstations is positioned side by side at the access area of the vertical storage units. The lower shelves serve as a work surface. They are set at the ergonomic height to allow the operators to put retrieved items into the totes easily. The upper shelves hold the label printers. Put-to-light devices are mounted on the upper shelves to guide the operators to put the correct item into the respective bin to finish up picking multiple orders simultaneously. Completed orders are taken away by the conveyor to the next work area for packaging.

It’s a cost-effective and space-saving setup that can be customized to integrate smoothly with different vertical storage solutions to expedite the picking process.

Custom fulfillment cubby unit with put-to-light technology

This custom fulfillment cubby unit is another example of how different technologies and systems interact to achieve optimal performance. It allows an associate to fulfill multiple orders at the same time with maximum efficiency.

The design focuses on flexibility and adjustability to accommodate the needs of multiple operators/shifts. It consists of two electric height adjustable frames. The main frame supports cubbies on three sides of the operator, and a smaller pedestal holds a receiving bin that accumulates products from the conveyor.

At the beginning of their shift, associates can adjust the cubby station’s height to fit their size and comfort level at the touch of a button. The height of the pedestal is controlled by a separate control switch and can be adjusted to the operator’s preference.

A mounted overhead scanner scans items from the bin. Once identified, the computer will associate the item with a specific order and direct the associate to place the item(s) into one particular cubby via a Put-to-Light system.

Once an order is complete, an indicator light will alert the associate, who will gather the items and press the indicator light to cue the system to generate all labeling to include with the order All items are then strapped together before being placed on the output conveyor for final packaging.

This solution improves the pick accuracy and reduces the number of employees needed for the task. The emphasis on ergonomic details improves efficiency and prevents injuries from repetitive motions. Equally important, it sends a clear message to the employees that their well-being is a priority. That goes a long way toward retaining skilled workers at a time of low labor availability.

Standing workbench over conveyor

By bringing the products to the operators, conveyor systems can save time and space. They free the operators a significant amount of manual material handling. The repetitive motions such as lifting, lowering, pushing, and pulling cost not only time but also the health of the workers. In a labor shortage crisis, no one can afford to lose any more work time or workers.

In the scenario below, the standing workstation is integrated seamlessly into the conveyor system. It is positioned over the conveyor and serves as an individual shipping station in an order fulfillment operation. It uses the conveyor as a work surface. A section of the rollers on the conveyor can be taken out to incorporate a drop-in scale to weigh a package as it goes through the workstation to minimize physical exertions. The workstation provides easy and ergonomic access to everything you need to complete a packaging task in a small compact footprint.

Technology, when integrated well into work processes, can make jobs easier for us humans. Creating an ergonomically optimized work environment allows us to reach our full potential. Are you inspired to achieve more without acquiring more space or hiring more people? Reach out to us, we can help make it happen by customizing your workspace to your specific process needs.

Adjustable Workstations: Which One Is Right For You?

by [email protected] | Jul 14, 2021 | Ergonomics

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are one of the most common workplace injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that they account for nearly one-third of all injury and illness cases.

Providing proper ergonomic supports for your employees helps reduce these injuries. This benefits them and your company.

Ergonomic adjustable workstations are an effective tool to reduce injuries in an industrial environment. These industrial workstations are available in manual and electric models. Let’s look at how the two compare.

Why Ergonomic Workstations Are Important

Workplace injuries hurt the people involved, but they also hurt your company. You’ll face a loss of productivity and higher costs.

Providing your employees with ergonomic workstations has several benefits, including:

Improved productivity
Higher accuracy and quality
Healthier, safer employees
Higher retention of skilled workers

You can look at it from the perspective of keeping your employees safe or reducing your company’s overhead costs. Either way, providing ergonomically sound working conditions benefits everyone. This applies to every industry that uses these types of workstations, from shipping stations, assembly benches, to medical assembly workstations. Modular workstations can be set-up for particular tasks, allowing you to optimize them for different jobs and workflows.

How Manual Adjustable Workstations Operate

Manual adjustable workstations typically use a plunger system to adjust the height. You pull the plunger and adjust the telescoping legs to the desired height, then release the plunger into place.

These industrial workbenches are more time-intensive to adjust since the worker has to raise or lower them by hand and there are often two people needed to complete the adjustment safely. The surface of the bench needs to be clear before making any adjustments. The weight of any equipment on top will have to be lifted along with the workbench itself.

Manual workstations are best-suited to single-shift; single operator applications where the same person uses the workstation and doesn’t change positions from sit to stand. Because of the work involved with adjustments, manually adjustable workstations aren’t recommended if you need to change height more than three or four times per year.

How Electric Adjustable Workstations Operate

Electric adjustable workstations use electric actuators to raise and lower the work surface. Instead of having to manually change a plunger mechanism and clear the workbench each time, the operator presses a button to adjust the height of an electric workbench.

Electric workstations are available in different load capacities. Provided you don’t overload the bench with more weight than it’s rated for, you can adjust the height without removing anything from the surface.

These workstations are ideal for environments where different workers use the same workspace or you have the option of a sit-stand operation. Because of their ease of adjustment, each user can quickly make any changes necessary for proper ergonomics.

In most cases, electric workstations offer the most benefits. The following are the biggest advantages they have over manual alternatives.

Employees Actually Use Electric Height-Adjustability

For employees to use the height-adjustability feature it needs to be effortless. Electric adjustability is the only method that allows the operator to adjust the workstations with just a push of a button. Experience has shown that even crank-adjustable workstations won’t get used properly and employees end up working in poor postures.

Reduce Non-Value-Added Time

Electric workstations take less time to adjust. You simply press a button to move the workbench up or down.

If you’re following Lean principles you want to reduce any motions that don’t add value and are considered waste. Adjustments that are needed to make the workstations work for your employees don’t add value and are wasting time and energy.

Virtually Maintenance-Free

Electric height adjustable workstations have sealed actuators that require no maintenance. When you are considering adding the best option of height adjustable workstations, you can be confident that they will work and support your business processes.

When to Consider a Manual Workstation

Electric workstations have quite a few advantages over manual options. There are a couple of cases where manual workstations may make sense, though.

First, a manual workstation costs less than an equivalent electric workbench. If you don’t need to adjust the workstation very often, you can reduce your capital costs by choosing a manual version.

Second, if your workstations are always used by the same workers in the same working position, a manual workstation will be fine. Once the height is set for a particular employee, it won’t need to get adjusted again for quite some time. Typical examples where manually adjustable workstations are used are alongside or over conveyors.

Where to Find the Best Adjustable Workbenches for Your Employees

If you’re sold on the benefits of ergonomic workstations but aren’t sure what models are best for your operation, BOSTONtec can help. We carry a range of manual workstations and electric workstations to improve your employees’ ergonomics.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs and we’ll help you find the right models for your staff.

How Ergonomics Can Help with Employee Retention

by [email protected] | Jun 24, 2021 | Productivity, Ergonomics

As the economy emerges from the pandemic, the demand for products continues to grow. The manufacturers are facing a seemingly good-to-have problem – not having enough workers to meet the increasing demand for goods. However the struggle is real.

According to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, as many as 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030 despite the current high unemployment rate. 77% of manufacturers surveyed said they expect to have trouble attracting and retaining workers this year and beyond.

When getting new talents on board is a challenge, making your current workforce happier and more productive becomes a critical success factor for manufacturing companies. Through word-of-mouth, it could potentially also bring new candidates to your door.

Being a manufacturer in the trenches ourselves, we would like to share how you can use ergonomics to help with employee retention.

Good work environment enhances employee satisfaction

When employees feel safe and comfortable at work, they are more likely to stay. After all there is a lot of uncertainty and risk involved with switching over to a new employer. To ensure a work environment that is optimized for health, safety and comfort, ergonomics is the key.

When talking about ergonomics, there used to be a lot of emphasis on productivity increase as a major benefit. Employee well-being almost seems like a nice-to-have by product. In the face of labor shortage, manufacturers are increasingly aware of the importance of their workforce. How they feel at work really matters.

Ergonomic work space boosts employee morale

An ergonomically optimized work space can improve user experience significantly. It incorporates height adjustability to make sure that each worker operates at a comfortable height. It is laid out according to reach zones to minimize ergonomically risky motions and non-value added movements. As a result work related injuries drop, and productivity improves. Our step-by-step Plan Your Workstation guide can walk you through the process of setting up an ergonomic work space to keep your employees happy.

Ergonomic workstations alone are not enough

As a manufacturing company, you might think that you have done your part after acquiring some height adjustable workstations for your employees. Unless you have a culture of constantly looking to improve and working with your employees to achieve that, ergonomics is just another buzz word.

We probably all know when pay and benefits are competitive and comparable, it is the company culture that drives an individual’s decision to stay or leave. Employees stick with companies which value their contribution and input.

Use ergonomics to connect with employees

Ergonomics provides an excellent opportunity for a manufacturing company to engage its employees. It sends an important “we care for you” message to the employees. We had the pleasure of working with one of America’s most successful and forward thinking online retailers. They embrace ergonomics wholeheartedly. The operators have regular stretch breaks in which everyone leaves their desk and stretches. Engineers would go to the operators to get their opinions on the best way to work on a station. The operators are invited to try on different work bench designs and setups. Their feedback is taken seriously and incorporated into final product design. It is not surprising that the turnover rate there is extremely low.

Ergonomic mindset opens door for growth opportunities

When manufacturing employees are intimately involved in ergonomic improvement, they become advocates of continuous improvement efforts. This can carry over to all areas of operations especially if their contributions are acknowledged. BOSTONtec actively seeks our manufacturing work force’s ideas on how to improve safety, increase productivity, and cut cost. These ideas are featured in our internal continuous improvement platform and celebrated by everyone in the company. It ensures that our shop employees know that they are an important stakeholder in the company. In addition, it could provide them with a path to grow into more advanced and fulfilling job roles. All these initiatives lead to a more stable and dedicated workforce.

The current labor shortage crisis for the manufacturing industry shines a new light on the value of observing ergonomics. Ergonomics has been proven to be a powerful tool to form a strong bond with your manufacturing workforce. A motivated workforce is your true competitive advantage.

Explore By Topic

WORKSTATION DESIGN

Our experts in ergonomic workstations can help design your perfect set-up.

Enter your email Address