How do you measure the success of ergonomic programs?

2 Choose your metrics

When measuring the success of your ergonomic program, you may want to use different types of metrics depending on your goals. Lagging metrics, such as injury rates, absenteeism, turnover, costs, or productivity, can be useful for showing the impact and return on investment of your program; however, they may not reflect the current situation or the root causes of the problems. Leading metrics, such as training, assessments, interventions, feedback, or participation are ideal for monitoring the process and quality of your program; yet they may not show the direct effects or outcomes of your program. Additionally, perception metrics such as satisfaction, engagement, awareness, or confidence can be used to capture the human and cultural aspects of your program; though they can be subjective or influenced by other factors. Therefore, you may want to combine metrics from different categories to get a comprehensive and balanced picture of your ergonomic program.

3 Collect and analyze your data

Once you have decided on your metrics, you need to collect and analyze your data in a systematic and reliable way. You may use various sources and methods of data collection, such as records, surveys, interviews, observations, or tests. You may also use different tools and techniques of data analysis, such as charts, graphs, tables, statistics, or benchmarks. The key is to use consistent and valid data collection and analysis methods that suit your goals and metrics.

4 Communicate and act on your findings

The final step is to communicate and act on your findings. You need to share your results and insights with your workers and stakeholders in a clear and meaningful way, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of your ergonomic program, the achievements and challenges, and the recommendations and action plans. You also need to follow up on your findings and implement the necessary changes or improvements to your ergonomic program, based on your data and feedback. You should also review and update your goals and metrics periodically to reflect the changing needs and expectations of your workplace.

By following these steps, you can measure the success of your ergonomic programs and ensure that they are meeting your objectives and adding value to your workplace.