722 Ergonomics Program Management

Employee Responsibilities

Employees play a key role in keeping the workplace safe and healthy. Their actions can make a big difference in preventing injuries, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). To support safety efforts, employees must take part in the medical management process and follow important rules and procedures.

How Employees Can Help

Employees should take the following actions to support workplace safety:

• Follow Safety and Health Rules: Understand and obey all workplace safety rules that apply to their job.
  Example: If a worker must wear wrist supports while doing repetitive tasks, they must wear them at all times as instructed.
• Use Safe Work Practices: Perform tasks in the safest way possible, using proper techniques and tools.
  Example: A worker who lifts heavy items should bend the knees and keep the back straight, rather than bending at the waist.

Handling Conflicting Job Demands

Sometimes employees face situations where safety rules seem to slow down the job or reduce productivity. These moments can lead to pressure to take shortcuts or ignore safety steps to meet deadlines or earn rewards.

• Example: A worker might skip a stretching break to finish a task faster because there's a bonus for higher output. This can increase the risk of an MSD.
• Example: An assembly line worker may ignore wrist discomfort to keep pace with a fast-moving line, even though that goes against safety advice.

Employees must understand that short-term productivity gains are not worth the risk of long-term injury. Reporting conflicts between safety and productivity is important so supervisors can find safer ways to meet work goals. Open communication and teamwork help make the workplace safer for everyone.

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