Course Overview
This intensive 5-day training program is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to assess, design, and optimize workplaces using ergonomic principles and human factors engineering. Participants will learn to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), enhance productivity, and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards (OSHA, ISO 45001, NIOSH).
Course Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Apply ergonomic principles to workplace design, tools, and processes.
- Conduct ergonomic risk assessments (REBA, RULA, NIOSH Lifting Equation).
- Identify and mitigate common workplace hazards (repetitive strain, poor posture, manual handling).
- Implement human factors engineering for improved safety and efficiency.
- Develop ergonomic intervention programs aligned with OSHA and ISO standards.
- Use digital tools (motion capture, ergonomic software) for analysis.
Who Should Attend?
- Ergonomics Specialists & Consultants
- Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Professionals
- HR & Workplace Wellness Managers
- Industrial Engineers & Process Designers
- Facility Managers & Operations Supervisors
- Physical Therapists & Occupational Therapists in workplace health
Course Outline (Module-Wise)
Module 1: Fundamentals of Ergonomics & Human Factors
- Definition, scope, and benefits of workplace ergonomics
- Types of ergonomics (physical, cognitive, organizational)
- Ergonomic regulations & standards (OSHA, ISO 45001, ANSI/HFES)
- Case Study: Cost of poor ergonomics (MSDs, lost productivity)
Module 2: Ergonomic Risk Assessment Methods
- Workplace evaluation techniques (checklists, video analysis)
- Assessment tools:
- RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment)
- REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment)
- NIOSH Lifting Equation
- Hands-on exercise: Conducting an ergonomic assessment
Module 3: Workplace Design & Engineering Controls
- Principles of ergonomic workstation design (seating, desks, monitors)
- Tool & equipment design (hand tools, controls, displays)
- Manual handling solutions (lifting aids, exoskeletons)
- Workshop: Redesigning a high-risk workstation
Module 4: Cognitive Ergonomics & Human-Machine Interaction
- Human error & fatigue prevention
- Designing user-friendly interfaces (dashboards, control panels)
- Shift work & mental workload management
- Case Study: Aviation/healthcare human factors failures
Module 5: Implementing an Ergonomics Program
- Developing a workplace ergonomics policy
- Training employees on ergonomic best practices
- Measuring ROI of ergonomic interventions
- Digital ergonomics tools (motion sensors, VR simulations)
- Group discussion: Overcoming resistance to change
Final Workshop & Certification
- Capstone project: Full ergonomic audit of a simulated workplace
- Action plan development for participants’ organizations
- Assessment & certification