Identify and Eliminate the 7 Most Common Risk Factors Affecting Workplace Ergonomics
Written by Staff Writer
In today’s fast-paced work environments, safety and efficiency are not just buzzwords but essential goals. When every workstation, process and procedure is designed with ergonomics in mind, the benefits extend far beyond comfort — they help reduce injuries, boost productivity and ensure compliance with OSHA standards.
In this article, we examine key ergonomic risks across various industries — from office cubicles to manufacturing floors — and share actionable strategies to identify and mitigate these hazards. We’ll also discuss how OSHA-compliant training and certification can create a safer, healthier work environment.
What Are Ergonomic Risk Factors?
Ergonomics involves designing or adjusting work environments to fit the people who use them. When workers must repeatedly bend, twist, stretch or hold awkward postures, the resulting stress on their bodies can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, chronic back pain and more.
Ergonomic risk factors are the specific workplace conditions or practices that can lead to such injuries. While the list can be extensive, below are seven of the most common ones:
Repetitive Motions
Awkward Postures
Forceful Exertions
Frequent or Heavy Lifting
Vibration
Poorly Adjusted Workstations
Extended Static Positions
Recognizing and mitigating these factors is essential to preventing injuries and maintaining a healthy workforce. Ergonomic hazards aren’t confined to any single industry, either.
Offices, manufacturing plants, warehouses, healthcare settings and even construction sites all share similar concerns. Indeed, a common question that arises is whether these hazards can exist in all work environments. The answer is yes — anywhere work is performed, ergonomic risks could be lurking.
A Brief History of Ergonomics
Many people associate ergonomics with curved keyboards or adjustable office chairs, but the concept of designing workspaces that “fit” their users spans centuries. The term “ergonomics” took shape during World War II, particularly in British aircraft design. Engineers and researchers discovered that even the most advanced aircraft in the world wouldn’t be effective if the cockpit wasn’t designed for human pilots to operate comfortably and efficiently.
Interestingly, the roots of ergonomic thinking stretch back much further. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates — often referred to as the “Father of Medicine” — wrote about arranging a surgeon’s workspace and tools in a way that minimized strain and increased efficiency. From these early insights to modern-day applications, ergonomics has always been about one guiding principle: adapting the environment to the worker, rather than forcing the worker to adapt to a flawed environment.
Why Ergonomics Matters for Health, Safety and Compliance
Health and Productivity
When employees work in environments that force them to use awkward postures or perform repetitive movements, their bodies experience extra stress. Over time, this can lead to:
Discomfort, fatigue and pain
Reduced productivity due to aches, strains or injuries
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that could require medical attention
By applying ergonomic principles, these risks can be substantially reduced. For instance, properly adjusted monitor heights can help employees maintain a neutral neck posture. Replacing standard phones with headsets lowers the chance of developing neck and shoulder pain. The result? Healthier, happier workers who can operate at peak efficiency for longer periods.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Although OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) does not have a standalone ergonomic standard, it often addresses ergonomic issues through its General Duty Clause, requiring employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Not taking steps to mitigate ergonomic hazards, especially if injuries occur, can lead to significant citations and fines.
Training courses from reputable providers help businesses and employees alike stay current with best practices. Staying compliant with OSHA guidelines is not only a matter of avoiding penalties; it’s also a vital step in creating a culture of safety.
The 7 Most Common Ergonomic Risk Factors
Below, we dive deeper into each of these common ergonomic risk factors. Understanding these hazards and how they occur is the first step toward eliminating or reducing them.
1. Repetitive Motions
Tasks that involve repeating the same movements — typing, assembly-line work, scanning items at checkout — can put stress on muscles and tendons. Over time, these stresses can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Awkward Postures
Holding the body in positions that strain the joints and muscles — such as bending at the waist, twisting the neck or slouching — can trigger discomfort and injury. Proper workstation setup and frequent breaks can help minimize these risks.
3. Forceful Exertions
Lifting, pushing or pulling heavy loads requires significant muscular effort, which can injure the back, shoulders or arms. Safe Lifting Training is paramount here; check out OSHA Education Center’s tips for safe lifting and carrying for insights on preventing these injuries.
4. Frequent or Heavy Lifting
Similar to forceful exertion, frequent lifting can wreak havoc on the spine, especially if done improperly. A solid foundation in safe lifting techniques reduces the strain on the body and lowers injury risk. Learn safe lifting techniques to explore ways to make manual handling safer.
5. Vibration
Machinery that causes whole-body or hand-arm vibration — such as power tools, forklifts or jackhammers — can cause nerve damage and circulatory issues over time. Proper training, use of anti-vibration gloves and other administrative or engineering controls help reduce these risks.
6. Poorly Adjusted Workstations
Non-adjustable chairs, monitors at the wrong height or desks with insufficient legroom can put workers in constant discomfort. Simple changes like raising or lowering a desktop surface, adding lumbar support or providing an ergonomic keyboard can result in fewer MSDs.
7. Extended Static Positions
Standing or sitting for extended periods without changing posture is a common issue in many industries. Offering adjustable workstations, encouraging short breaks to stretch or rotating tasks can mitigate this problem.
Easy Ways to Improve Ergonomics at Work
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to make workplaces more ergonomic without breaking the bank. Here are some straightforward and budget-friendly tactics:
Adjust Computer Workstations
Sit with your monitor 16–29 inches away, eyes aligned with the top third of the screen. Keep your wrists straight when typing, and ensure your chair provides lower back support.
Reorganize Frequently Used Items
Place tools and materials within easy reach to avoid repetitive stretching or bending.
Encourage Proper Posture
Provide employee training so they understand how posture affects fatigue, injury risk and productivity. Posters or quick references can serve as constant reminders.
Use Headsets and Supportive Equipment
Switching from handheld phones to headsets can alleviate neck strain. Explore options like ergonomic keyboards, mousepads with wrist support and height-adjustable chairs or desks.
Identifying Ergonomic Hazards Before They Harm Your Employees
Awareness is the first line of defense. To spot potential issues:
Observe Work Processes: Identify tasks that involve repetitive motion, heavy lifting or awkward postures.
Assess Employee Feedback: Ask employees about discomfort, fatigue or areas they feel could be improved.
Examine Vibration Sources: Determine if tools or machinery produce excessive vibration that could lead to long-term health problems.
Check Workstation Adjustments: See if chairs, monitors and desks are customized for individual workers.
Questions to ask might include:
Are employees frequently bending, stretching or twisting to reach items?
Do their chairs and workstations support proper posture?
Are staff performing repetitive tasks all day without rotation or breaks?
Applying Administrative and Engineering Controls
Engineering Controls
Engineering controls involve physically modifying the workspace or equipment to reduce exposure to hazards. Examples include:
Designing workspaces that accommodate a broad range of motion
Installing mechanical aids such as lifts or conveyors to reduce heavy lifting
Repositioning objects or surfaces to minimize reaching, bending or twisting
If lifting is unavoidable, consider a course like OSHA Education Center’s Industrial Ergonomics training course. It goes into detail about how to redesign tasks and work environments for safer handling.
Administrative Controls
Administrative controls adjust how and when work gets done, rather than the physical setup. These might include:
Allowing more frequent breaks to reduce strain
Rotating tasks among employees to avoid repetitive stress
Instituting group lifting policies for heavy loads
Labeling heavy objects with their weight to raise awareness
Adjusting the pace of work to decrease exertion
Implementing a blend of engineering and administrative controls is often the most effective approach. While engineering controls might minimize a hazard’s presence, administrative controls can ensure that unavoidable hazards have limited impact.
The Benefits of Ergonomics Training and Certification
A properly trained workforce is a safer workforce. Courses like OSHA Education Center’s Industrial Ergonomics Certificate or the comprehensive OSHA 30-Hour General Industry program provide employees and managers the knowledge they need to:
Recognize Ergonomic Hazards: Understand where and how hazards arise
Prevent Injuries: Apply best practices for safe lifting, proper workstation setup and more
Maintain OSHA Compliance: Stay ahead of regulatory requirements, thereby avoiding costly fines
Foster a Culture of Safety: Build morale, reduce turnover and improve productivity
By investing in OSHA-compliant training, you create a safer environment while also reducing the risk of lawsuits, absenteeism and worker’s compensation claims.
Enroll in Ergonomics and Safe Lifting Programs Today
Ergonomic injuries aren’t always immediate; they can build over time. Taking proactive steps — from reorganizing desks to rotating job tasks — protects your team from musculoskeletal disorders and supports long-term workplace well-being.
If you’re seeking in-depth training to identify, eliminate and prevent ergonomic hazards, consider these options:
Industrial Ergonomics Training for a deep dive into ergonomic design and best practices
Safe Lifting Techniques and Training to reduce back injuries and meet OSHA guidelines
Hand, Wrist and Finger Safety for specialized insight into repetitive-motion risks and how to minimize them
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry for a broader understanding of workplace safety, including ergonomics
A well-trained workforce ensures compliance with OSHA’s general safety principles and reduces the likelihood of citations. More importantly, you’ll be creating a culture where employees feel supported, valued and motivated to maintain safe working habits.
Final Thoughts
Ergonomic risk factors are present in every industry, from a corporate office to a bustling warehouse. By identifying these hazards early, investing in the right mix of engineering and administrative controls and ensuring your team completes OSHA-compliant certification courses, you’ll bolster your safety profile and improve overall productivity.
It doesn’t end with comfortable chairs and standing desks. Ergonomics is about consistently refining how tasks are performed to reduce strain, prevent injuries and enhance efficiency.
The more proactively you approach these issues, the healthier your workforce will be — and the more your bottom line will benefit. With comprehensive training and a commitment to continuous improvement, you’ll be well on your way to identifying and eliminating ergonomic risks before they can harm your employees.