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Good Afternoon,
July’s NYECA Safety Resource focuses on the importance of ergonomics in the workplace.
At a recent ASSP Conference, a presenter asked a simple question: Would you rather receive $1,000,000 today or a penny doubled every day for 30 days? Almost everyone chose the $1,000,000. However, the penny doubled daily would total $5,368,709.12 after 30 days.
It was a simple but eye-opening example that illustrates the value of small, consistent improvements. The same concept applies to workplace ergonomics.
Small changes made every day can significantly improve employee health, reduce injuries, and increase productivity. Organizations that focus on continuous improvement are often more successful than those attempting sweeping changes all at once.
EESISP data continues to show that soft tissue injuries remain the leading cause of lost-time incidents in our industry. Ergonomics is about winning the war of inches, making work just a little safer, easier, and more efficient every day.
To put the impact of small movements into perspective, Zurich Insurance shared the following data:
- An extra 12 inches of reaching throughout the workday equals 15 miles of arm travel and approximately 25 hours of lost productivity annually.
- 500 lower-back twists per shift add up to approximately 125,000 twists each year, contributing to cumulative wear and tear on the spine.
- Three unnecessary steps in a work area equal 42 additional miles walked per employee annually.
- An extra 10 inches of back bending can result in 2.5 minutes of lost time per shift, totaling more than 10 hours each year.
At first glance, these numbers may seem insignificant. Over weeks, months, and years, however, they contribute to fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders, lost-time injuries, and increased workers’ compensation costs.
What Companies Can Do
Improving ergonomics doesn’t always require expensive equipment. Small adjustments can have a significant impact:
- Review job tasks and identify unnecessary reaching, bending, twisting, lifting, and walking.
- Store frequently used materials between knee and shoulder height whenever possible.
- Rotate repetitive tasks to reduce overuse injuries.
- Encourage employees to use carts, material lifts, cable reels, and other mechanical aids instead of manual handling.
- Conduct daily stretch-and-flex or warm-up sessions before work begins.
- Ask employees for feedback on tasks that are physically demanding and involve them in developing practical solutions.
- Include ergonomic observations during routine jobsite safety inspections and toolbox talks.
- Train supervision to recognize early signs of musculoskeletal strain so issues can be addressed before they become recordable injuries.
Resources
The following organizations provide ergonomic guidance and free resources:
By focusing on small improvements every day, contractors can reduce injuries, improve efficiency, and create healthier jobsites. As with the penny that doubles each day, incremental improvements compound over time, producing results that far exceed what many expect.
There are several more toolbox talks on this topic in the Safety Meeting app.
Nominate your Company for the inaugural NYECA Safety Awards. Submissions will be due August 31, 2026.
We encourage anyone interested in participating in the NYECA Safety Committee to reach out to evangelista@nyeca.org.
If you have any questions, you may reach out to the Association Office.
Thank You.
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