Celebrating National Ergonomics Month

October is National Ergonomics Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of designing workplaces to fit people better. Ergonomics focuses on creating tools, tasks, and environments that improve comfort, reduce injuries, and promote the health and well-being of workers. Ergonomics research and interventions can help prevent common workplace musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, sore muscles, and repetitive strain injuries.

What ergonomics research is underway at NIOSH?

NIOSH researchers are leading the way in musculoskeletal health as expert ergonomists. We analyze both physical and social aspects of work environments to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. MSDs include overexertion and repetitive loading leading to pain, reduced mobility, and disability. Our mission is to lessen the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through targeted research and prevention efforts. This work not only protects workers from MSDs but also assists employers in mitigating risks and liabilities. Some examples of NIOSH ergonomics research are listed below. Also see the blog Musculoskeletal Disorders Research at NIOSH for a historic overview of NIOSH work in this area.

• NIOSH Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies focuses on maximizing the use of workers’ compensation data to enhance workplace safety, partnering with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OHBWC). A recent study found that one-third of claims from OHBWC-insured private employers from 2007-2017 were caused by overexertion and bodily reaction. Top industries with high rates of overexertion and bodily reaction involve heavy manual material handling such as manufacturing work, warehousing/delivery work, or patient handling activities.
• NIOSH Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies promotes safety and health for workers in commercial fishing, seafood processing, and shipyards through research and outreach with partners in industry, labor, trade associations, academia, and government. By applying ergonomic principles, the Center improves tools and environments, such as designing safer winch systems, to reduce injury risks and address factors like fatigue and stress in maritime operations.
• NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program provides workplace health hazard evaluations and raises awareness of preventive measures. Since its inception, it has addressed nearly 17,000 requests, offering expertise on hazards including chemicals, noise, and ergonomics. (Click here for recent HHEs dealing with ergonomics).
• The Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorder Consortium is a group of occupational health research partners at NIOSH, universities and state agencies who work together to prevent work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The website includes links to research from pooled data or individual consortium partners.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls in Mining NIOSH research reveals environmental hazards like floor contaminants, stair damage, and mobile equipment egress as key risk factors for slips trips and falls in mining. Boot construction and task-specific prevention are essential for reducing these injuries.
• Safe Patient Handling NIOSH has played a crucial role in researching and promoting Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs. NIOSH’s research into the risks of manual patient handling and its development of evidence-based guidelines have been foundational to SPHM programs.
• Exoskeletons in Healthcare, Mining, and Construction NIOSH scientists are exploring the efficacy and feasibility of using exoskeletons to reduce MSDs during patient handling, for mining tasks, and in the construction industry. While SPHM programs have lowered injury rates, challenges remain in specific healthcare settings. Exoskeletons may complement SPHM programs. In the mining sector, exoskeletons offer an opportunity to help prevent MSDs while engineering controls are evaluated and implemented. Research in Construction is exploring both passive and active exoskeletons, assessing their benefits, challenges and potential effectiveness in preventing Work-related MSDs, while providing up-to-date insights into their use in construction tasks.

What else do NIOSH ergonomists do?

At NIOSH, ergonomists lead research to reduce work-related MSDs through the development of risk assessment tools and the use of emerging technologies. One notable tool is the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (RNLE), widely used to assess manual lifting risks. NIOSH continuously explores and integrates emerging technologies such as exoskeletons, wearable sensors, and computer vision into existing ergonomic assessment tools and solutions to enhance workplace safety.

As jobs evolve, NIOSH continues researching new technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence, to improve risk assessments and interventions, ensuring safer workplaces for all.

More ergonomics resources on our website

Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders | Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders | CDC

Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation | Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders | CDC

Request a Health Hazard Evaluation at your workplace

NIOSH Worker Health Charts: Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the National Health Interview Survey describes musculoskeletal disorder trends by industry.

Menekse S. Barim, PhD, AEP, is a Research Industrial Engineer in the NIOSH Division of Field Studies and Engineering.

Mahiyar F. Nasarwanji, PhD, CPE, is a Senior Service Fellow, Health Hazards Prevention Branch, Pittsburgh Mining Research Division.

Liying Zheng, PhD, is a Research Biomechanical Engineer in the Physical Effects Research Branch in the NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division.

Alysha R. Meyers, PhD, CPE, is a Research Epidemiologist in the NIOSH Division of Field Studies and Engineering. 

Brent A. Baker, PhD, is a research biologist and team leader in the NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division.

Jessica Ramsey, MS, CPE, is an industrial hygienist and ergonomist in the NIOSH Division of Field Studies and Engineering.

Tristan Victoroff, MPH, is an Epidemiologist, Western States Division.

Asha Brogan, MS, is a Health Communication Fellow in the NIOSH Division of Field Studies & Engineering.