Ergonomics auditing and training must be part of a holistic program at your standard office workplace. As the complicated system of worker's comp and "aggregate" workplace environment issues continues to grow, ergonomics consulting help is a pillar in preventing certain kinds of company liability.

Ergonomic consultants and ergonomic experts help workers recognize potential health problems over time. They analyze the condition of work tools and work spaces, and work to protect employee health.

Business managers employ ergonomics consulting firms:

1. To train an incoming work force on proper computer use and a variety of other issues.
2. To perform audits of work spaces to find flaws in company practices.
3. To give ongoing assistance to an employee base and keep ergonomics training current across the company.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get an experienced ergonomics consultant

One thing you want in corporate ergonomics consulting firm is for the incoming staff to be experienced. Otherwise, it's just the blind leading the blind. Seek out companies offering ergonomics training or auditing from a human factors expert that has spent years in the business or staff members with credible certifications.

I recommend: CESSI ergonomic consultants are specially trained: the company claims 15 years of experience in providing a range of ergonomics consulting services. Barbre Ergonomics has more than 20 years of experience, with a certified workplace ergonomic consultant staff. Search the database at AliMed for an ergonomics consultant in your area.

Find audit solutions for ergonomics

You can look online for companies and ergonomics consultants that specialize in doing work space audits to find any existing problems that your office might be having. These range between anything from poor lighting to shaky handrails. Consultants will work to find best solutions for whatever is slightly out of whack, and when they're done, you get a clean bill of health, which is very much worth the paper it's printed on.

I recommend: According to the site, ergonomic consulting firms like Humantech's handle thousands of job environments according to specialized criteria in order to provide good ergonomics audits.

Outsource ergonomics training and hire a ergonomics expert

When it's time to give new employees that critical lecture on computer operating, you may not have someone in-house with the right credentials or experience. Find a replacement online who can show up to give this essential guidance when it's necessary to introduce newbies to their budding careers.

I recommend: Ergomatrix offers classes by an ergonomics expert for your beginning workers in a variety of areas including push-pull practices, computers and eyes, metabolics and other physical aspects of the job. You can also get training from OSHA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn from the masters. Take as much knowledge as you can away from these ergonomic consulting firms, so next time, you'll know how to better assist and cut down on costs, or prevent problems before they begin.