Assembly - December 2008 - (Page 53) Manufacturers are looking for flexible, modular workstations that can be accessorized. Photo courtesy IAC Industries Inc. Basics (Watertown, MA): “They are considering ergonomics upfront when initially evaluating workstations and other human-intensive equipment. Seven or eight years ago, there used to be a lot more retrofitting and thinking about ergonomics as a reaction to problems.” Ergonomics is now more common and better understood than it was 10 years ago. “It is expected to be incorporated into workstation design,” says Bob Simmons, national sales manager at Pro-Line (Haverhill, MA). “Seven or eight years ago, some customers would ask if we offered an ergonomic bench. Today, customers ask questions such as, ‘What makes your workbench ergonomic?’ Ergonomic workbenches are becoming more the norm.” Mainstream Activity “The difference between now and then is that there’s a better understanding of the topic today on both sides— manufacturers and end users—and that basic ergonomic features are now found in many products,” says Louise Lanctot, vice president of marketing at Workplace Systems Inc. (Londonderry, NH). “Everyone is aware of the necessity and benefit of building as many good ergonomic principles into a work process as possible. So, it’s more of an unspoken given that ergonomics is at the forefront when designing a new workstation for a specific function. “More than ever, companies are looking for workstations that are designed with the features they need to provide ergonomically correct work areas for their employees,” Lanctot points out. “It’s as much about what they’re doing on the workstation as the workstation itself, so they’re asking questions about the flexibility and adjustability of the product, which are both essential in the design of ergonomically correct work processes.” According to Duff Elleby, president of Ergosource Inc. (Wayzata, MN), some of the “ether” that once surrounded ergonomics has worn off. “Years ago, ergonomics had a certain gee-whiz factor to it,” he explains. “In those days, we attempted to sell ergonomic concepts to a health or safety manager who would, in turn, sell it to top management. Today, manufacturing engineers automatically implement ergonomic concepts into their processes.” “Ergonomic designs and principles have become ingrained in our daily lives,” adds David Verrill, applications support manager at IAC Industries Inc. (Brea, CA). “When the word ‘ergonomics’ came onto the scene, it was a genuine rarity in many manufacturing facilities. “That’s not true at all anymore, and I think companies of all sizes have benefitted,” notes Verrill. “In today’s world, even the small shop with four operators using inexpensive benches is experiencing the rewards only previously afforded by the big spenders.” Ergonomic designs and principles have become ingrained in manual workstations. Photo courtesy IAC Industries Inc. www.assemblymag.com December 2008 / ASSE M B LY 53 http://www.assemblymag.com
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