Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between people and machines or between people and their envi-
ronment. This publication heavily references the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's
(NIOSH) publication, Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Muscu-
Ioskeletal Disorders [1].1 One expert says, "Ergonomics is the study of how people work at their jobs." U.S. Oc-
cupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says, "The science of ergonomics seeks to adapt the job
and workplace to the worker by designing tasks and tools that are within the worker's capabilities and limita-
tions." Poor interaction between people and the equipment they operate can result in stress and strain on the
operators. This stress and strain can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), such as carpal tunnel syndrome
or low back strain. On the positive side, reducing stress and strain on operators can result in more efficient
work, better quality of work, and lower worker's compensation costs for MSDs.
Ergonomics attempts to develop equipment, tools, work practices, and machine technology that will improve
overall employee health, comfort, and performance, as well as provide a safer working environment. Ergonom-
ics places the emphasis on the human subject, and how systems, processes, and everyday job tasks should be
performed in an environment more adaptive to the worker, rather than the worker trying to adapt to the envi-
ronment.