Posted on 16th Nov 2011 @ 12:27 PM

You always hear businesses crowing about the quality of their production processes. But are these processes really first-class, or is it all just marketing hype?

Globally-accepted benchmarks for production processes were created to address this very question. The International Standards Organization (ISO) solicits input from specialists from all areas of expertise and then compiles a list of standards for each industry. When individual companies meet all of these rigorous criteria, they receive ISO certification -- which tells the world that their processes are indeed top-notch.

Image: iso.org

 Now, the ISO has dipped its feet into a new area of production … ergonomics.

The 26-page document issued by ISO this year acts as a blueprint for companies who wish to create a workplace that fully embraces the theories of ergonomics. Because this standard is meant to apply to all industries, its precepts are very general and conceptual. That's why these principles focus on processes and systems instead of spelling out a checklist of quantifiable measures to be implemented by any one company.

Here are the basic tenets of the ISO ergonomics standard:

• Ergonomics must be taken into account at the beginning of and throughout the design of a production process.
• Ergonomic principles must be applied sufficiently in order to eliminate any negative effects on workers.
• Criteria should be established to help measure successful application of ergonomic principles.
• Ergonomic principles must be included in conceptual and detailed designs of workplace processes.
• Human tasks and interactions shall be accounted for in any process.
• End users or workers should be involved in designing processes where appropriate.
• Process evaluations under realistic conditions should be conducted and corrections or improvements made as needed.
• The entire design process should be flexible enough to allow for repetition of the design solution when needed.

The entire ISO Ergonomics Standard can be purchased online here.

Once again, the nonspecific nature of these tenets is intentional so as to encompass every conceivable type of industry -- from tool manufacturers to nuclear power generators to customer service call centers and everything in between. Meeting the ISO standard is more than just a matter of ordering a certain number of ergonomic chairs or building user-friendly workstations. It requires a comprehensive plan for maximizing workplace productivity while protecting employee safety and well-being.

Obviously, achieving the goal of ISO certification in ergonomics is a major undertaking for any company. But those that do invest the time and effort to become ergonomically certified will not only garner the worldwide recognition that comes with meeting an ISO standard, but will also reap the myriad of benefits that come with having workplaces and processes that are ergonomically sound.