3M Pilots Ergonomic Program. Workers manufacture various cardiovascular surgical devices.
The medical cases of work-related injuries and illnesses, especially Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, have increased.
A pilot program to assess the workplace had been performed.
Employees work with keyboards in their laps and VDTs at different heights.
Ergonomic awareness has become a very visible part of daily decision making.
A pilot study has been conducted to evaluate work stations.
Armrests have been added to the chairs.
Monitors have been relocated.
Workstation positions have been arranged for a right-handed person and at least one workstation was reserved for a left-handed worker.
All workers that perform the tasks now have reduced exposure to CTDs and other work-related injuries and illnesses.
Reduction in workers’ compensation costs.
The ergonomics intervention program cost was about $33,500.
There was a 64 percent drop in OSHA injury and illness recordable rate.
CTD-related incidents have been reduced by implementing ergonomics interventions.
The company’s cardiovascular systems’ incidence rate fell from 4.5 last year to 1.61 this year.
3M’s goal is to reduce OSHA recordable cases by 50 percent over the next four years.
CTD News, 1995, 3M Pilots Ergonomic Program to Reduce OSHA Recordables, 3M Cardiovascular System, CTD News.