Question

address office ergonomics from a management perspective. Write a brief report (1-2pages) that describes how you would implement a safety/health program that could resolve your office ergonomic issues. This report should answer these questions:
• What steps would you take to get “buy-in” from management?
• Which employees would you identify as necessary for role-modeling and mentoring? What steps would you take to get their involvement in the process?
• How would you incorporate your solutions into a new employee orientation?
• What rules or guidelines would you establish to encourage desired behaviors?
• What type of reinforcement (if any) would you use to encourage and/or reward employees for proper behavior?
Your textbook, Establishing a Safety-First Corporate Culture, is an ideal resource to help answer these questions. You are also encouraged to talk with professionals in the field.  

Answer 1

Answer 1: First of all management should be ade abreast of what exactly ergonomics mean.( Fitting the right work and right workplace for employees). They should be able to appreciate the fact that humna capital is the most important and valuable asset/resource to any company and if the resource is not taken proper care of or if it is underutilised/misused /abused then productivity would be hampered and business objectives will not be met. If not properly taken care of it can result in absenteesim, lost time or restricted time .Not only fromthe financial cost perspective from legal perspective a safe and sound workplace is a legal right of all employees and should be complied as per OSHA standards.The roles and responsibilites of the management and the ergonimics objectives should be clearly articulated .Once the goals are identified the responsibiities should be assigned and attainment of objectives should be monitored using proper metrices.

Answer 2: The best candidate to be identified as a process champion would be someone higher up in hierarchy and close to management who is also approachable by his/her colleagues. He/she should be involved in workplace assessment, modelling solutions and implementing the same. the person should be able to easily comprehend and identify ergonomic problems and document/report the same to appropriate authoties for rederssal.He/she should be able to voice the concerns and reduce risk factors. In order to get the person involved he/she should be entrusted the authority and responsibility to address the ergonomic related issues at workplace. He/she should get management support and backed by their conviction.He /she should be given proper training and information about the various aspects of ergonomics ,the implications, benefits and OSHA standards.He/she should be properly incentivised for taking up the additional responsibility and should not be too burdened with routine tasks so that addressing ergonomics takes a back seat.

Ans 3: The methods can be as follows:

1. New employees should be provided with hand outs and documents related to workplace ergonomics .

2. New employees should be invited to volunteer to assist in streamlining the ergonomic processes

3. Workplace ergonomic process should be mandatorily included as part of orientation schedule

4. New employees should be asked to voice their concerns/express their views and should also be provided a platform to collaborate ,register their observations( even if they want anonimously) may be through a blog/portal.

5. New employees shoudl be provided mandatory ergonimics training preferably by an industry expert

6.new employees should be made aware of their rights and responsibilites related to workplace ergonomics.

Answer 4:In order to encourage desired behaviour the following guidelines can be established:

1.provide visual guide to workstation sitting ergonomics

2. guidelines for change of workstation layout as per individual requirements for ergonomics

3.Guidelines for avoaiding musculoskelital disorders and their identification,prevention and remedies

4. guidelines to implement ergonomic discipline

5.Online sessions/training for ergonomic processes

6. Issue guidelines related to regular breaks, posture, furniture, lighting, noise level,ventilation, accessories, computers, desktops etc

Answer 5: Reinforcement strategies can be as follows:

1. Positive reinforcement by ackowledging the feats of the individuals who have followed the ergonomic processes. it can be in the form of a monthly award/certificate of recognition. Publish leaderboards ,progress charts etc.

2. Positive reinforcement by creating a healthy competition among departments,groups/clusters and reward the winners whco have followed the ergonomic processes

3. Provide opportiunities to serve as workplace ergonomic leaders to the best employee of the month who has performed best in terms of compliance with ergonomic policies

4.Send appreciation notes/emails to the employees for their commitment

5. Send periodic reminders and FAQs to employees.

6. Organize knowledge sessions and ask the emplyees to take turns and speak about their views,opinions inthose sessions so that they feel empowered.