Many industries have successfully implemented ergonomic solutions in their facilities as a way to address their workers’ MSD injury risks. These interventions have included modifying existing equipment, making changes in work practices and purchasing new tools or other devices to assist in the production process. Making these changes has reduced physical demands, eliminated unnecessary movements, lowered injury rates and their associated workers’ compensation costs and reduced employee turnover. In many cases, work efficiency and productivity have increased as well. Simple, low-cost solutions are often available to solve problems. Use the information on this page to see what has worked for others in your industry or in other industries.
Overview of Controls for MSD Hazards
To reduce the chance of injury, work tasks should be designed to limit exposure to ergonomic risk factors. Where possible, engineering controls are the most desirable. Administrative or work practice controls may be appropriate in some cases where engineering controls cannot be implemented or when different procedures are needed after implementation of the new engineering controls. Personal protection solutions have only limited effectiveness when dealing with ergonomic hazards.
Type of Control | Workplace Examples |
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Engineering Controls(implement physical change to the workplace, which eliminates/reduces the hazard on the job/task) |
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Administrative and Work Practice Controls (establish efficient processes or procedures) |
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Personal Protective Equipment (use protection to reduce exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors) |
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Example of an engineering control: mechanical devices that lift and tilt to adjust materials for easier handling
Source: OSHA Foundry Guidelines, 2012 (PDF*)
Success Stories
- Success Stories. OSHA collects brief stories from employers that have implemented ergonomics programs or used best practices with successful results. The success stories are grouped by SIC codes.
- Case Studies. OSHA collects accounts from employers that have implemented measures, programs or effective practices that have helped reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries or other positive outcomes.
- Ergonomic Programs that Work. OSHA Video. (1998). Provides information about successful ergonomic programs.
- Private Sector Ergonomics Programs Yield Positive Results. GAO Report. (1997, August). This report to Congress prepared by the Government Accounting Office looks at the efforts and successes of 5 companies who dealt with their ergonomic issues. The companies are: American Express, AMP Incorporated, Navistar, Sisters of Charity Health Systems and Texas Instruments.
Resources
General
- Ergonomics: The Study of Work (PDF*). OSHA Publication 3125. (2000). A booklet that educates employers and workers about ergonomics and provides simple solutions to address ergonomic hazards.
- Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Includes a variety of links that deal with risk factors and solutions that help protect workers.
Guidelines
These guidelines contain recommendations, best practices and lessons learned. They are designed to help employers and workers recognize and control industry-specific ergonomics-related risk factors.
- Guidelines for Foundries: Solutions for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Foundries. (PDF*). OSHA Publication 3465-08. (2012). Provides recommendations for foundries to help increase employer and worker awareness of ergonomics-related risk factors, alleviate muscle fatigue, increase productivity and reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs.
- Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3182. (Revised 2009). Provides recommendations for nursing home employers to help reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs in their facilities.
- Guidelines for Shipyards: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3341. (2008). Provides recommendations for shipyards to help reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs, increase employer and employee awareness of ergonomic risk factors, eliminate unsafe work practices, alleviate muscle fatigue, and increase productivity.
- Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2007). Recognize high-risk MMH work tasks and choose effective options for reducing their physical demands.
- Updated Guidelines: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing (PDF*) (EPUB) (MOBI). OSHA Publication 3213. (2013).
- Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3192. (2004). Presents recommendations for changing equipment, workstation design, or work methods with the goal of reducing work-related MSDs.
- Ergonomic & Safety Assessment Guide for Machines and Equipment. National Safety Council. (2007). Comprehensive checklist based on ANSI B11.TR1-1993. Includes considerations for machine operation, installation and maintenance.
- A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2004). Presents an easy to use guideline for selecting or purchasing the best available ergonomically designed non-powered hand tools.
- Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-117. (1997, March). Describes the basic elements of a workplace ergonomics program aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Includes a “toolbox,” which is a collection of techniques, methods, reference materials and sources for other information that can help in program development.
- Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA. (1993). Provides information on the steps employers should take to determine if they have ergonomic-related problems in their workplaces, to identify the nature and location of those problems and to implement measures to reduce or eliminate them.
- American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) – OSHA Alliance Guidelines. Volume I: An Introductory Manual for the Apparel and Footwear Industries (PDF). Directs supervisors through the process of developing an effective ergonomics program. Volume 2: A Guide to Implementing an Ergonomics Process (PDF). Provides an understanding of the key data and steps for developing an effective ergonomics process in the work environment.
- Voluntary Ergonomics Guideline for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry. American Furniture Manufacturers Association. Assists employers and employees in recognizing and controlling potential ergonomic hazards.
- Ergonomic Guidelines for Common Job Functions Within the Telecommunications Industry (PDF). National Telecommunications Safety Panel. (2007, November). Provides information pertaining to the science of ergonomics and its impact on the telecommunications industry. It is organized into 4 main sections by work type within the telecommunications industry; outside plant environment, central office environment, office environment and retail environment.
- Control Back-pain Risks from Whole-body Vibration (PDF). Health and Safety Executive (HSE), United Kingdom. (2005). For operators of off-road mobile machinery, agricultural vehicles or industrial trucks to help manage the risk of back pain.
- Hand-arm Vibration at Work (PDF). Health and Safety Executive (HSE), United Kingdom. (2005). Advice for employers on regular and frequent use of hand-held power tools, hand-guided powered equipment, and powered machines which process hand-held materials.
Industry or Task-Specific Solutions
Agriculture
- Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers [En Español]. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-111. (2001). Describes how to make or order inexpensive new tools or to modify existing ones to reduce the risk of backaches and pains in the arms, shoulders and hands of farm workers.
- Conference Proceedings: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Children and Adolescents Working in Agriculture.US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-119. (2004, June). Provides a summary of a national conference that was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 6-7, 2002. The agricultural safety and health experts who attended the meeting discussed research needs regarding prevention of MSDs for children and adolescents working in agriculture.
Apparel and Footwear
- American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)-OSHA Alliance Guidelines. Volume I: An Introductory Manual for the Apparel and Footwear Industries (PDF). Directs supervisors through the process of developing an effective ergonomics program. Volume 2: A Guide to Implementing an Ergonomics Process (PDF). Provides an understanding of the key data and steps for developing an effective ergonomics process in the work environment.
- An Ergonomic Handbook for the Clothing Industry (PDF). Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, the Institute for Work & Health, and the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Inc. (2001). Focuses on common ergonomic problems and solutions identified in clothing manufacturing plants to prevent injuries.
Baggage Handling
- Baggage Handling (Airline industry) eTool. OSHA. Describes many of the common ergonomic hazards associated with the baggage handling process as well as providing possible solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the operations.
- Ergonomic Solutions: Baggage Handling (PDF). Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Division of Workers’ Compensation. (2005, October). Provides a PDF version of OSHA’s baggage handling e-Tool (available in English and en Español).
Beverage Delivery
- Beverage Delivery eTool. OSHA. Describes ergonomic hazards and possible solutions for workers in the beverage delivery Industry.
- Ergonomic Interventions for the Soft Drink Beverage Delivery Industry. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 96-109. (1996). Presents the results of an ergonomic study to investigate, identify and reduce risk factors that may cause MSDs and injury in the soft drink beverage delivery industry.
- Beverage Distribution Letter from OSHA, August 18, 2011
Carpet Laying
- NIOSH Alert: Preventing Knee Injuries and Disorders in Carpet Layers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 90-104. (1990, May). Includes research and recommendations to help prevent knee injury.
Computer Workstation
- Computer Workstations eTool. OSHA. Illustrates simple, inexpensive principles that will help create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. Discusses basic design goals to consider when setting up a computer workstation or performing computer-related tasks.
- Working Safely with Video Display Terminals (PDF). OSHA Publication 3092. (1997). Discusses common ergonomic issues related to use of video display terminals.
- Easy Ergonomics: Computer Desktop Users (PDF). Cal/OSHA. (2005). Provides suggestions for working safely and reducing risks of injury while working at a desktop computer.
- Video Display Terminal Guidelines (PDF). New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS). (1992). Helps managers provide VDT operators with well-designed workstations and appropriate training.
- Workstation Adjustments for Comfort and Safety (PDF). Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Division of Workers’ Compensation. (2005, October). Provides recommendations to create a more comfortable, more efficient, healthier and safer workstation environment.
Construction
- Ergonomics: Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool. OSHA. Describes common hazards that electrical contractors may encounter and possible solutions for these hazards.
Tie rebar standing up instead of stooping over
Source: Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, 2010 (PDF)
- Prevention Videos (v-Tools): Construction Hazards. OSHA. The following videos show worksite sprains and strains in construction and corrective actions.
- Pulling Cables (available in English and en Español)
- Laying Stone (available in English and en Español)
- Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2007-122. (2007). Provides practical ideas to help reduce the risk of repetitive stress injury in common construction tasks.
- Human Factors Toolbox Talks. Developed through the OSHA and American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Alliance.
- Back Injuries in Construction (2010, March)
- Healthy Backs in the Mechanical Trades (2010, March)
- Lifts & Loads: Lifting by 2 Persons (2010, March)
- Material Handling on Construction Sites (2010, March)
- Mini Breaks During the Day (2010, March)
- Minimizing Musculoskeletal Fatigue (2010, March)
- Good Ergonomics for Welders. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2012, January 18). Guidance provided by the Canadian government concerning ergonomics for welders.
- Prevention of Strains, Sprains and Material Handling Injuries in Construction [PPSX* and PDF*]. Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2010, July). Participants developed a slide presentation on the prevention of strains, sprains and material handling injuries in construction.
- Strains, Sprains and Material Handling Safety Tips for Employers and Workers (PDF*). Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2011, February). Participants developed safety tips sheets for employers and workers focusing on the reduction of strains and sprains in the construction industry.
- Sprains and Strains Prevention Toolbox Safety Talk (PDF*). Alliance Program Construction Roundtable. (2010, July). Participants developed a toolbox talk on the prevention of sprains and strains in construction.
- Ergonomics and Construction – The Smart Move. Laborers Health and Safety Fund. Provides general information about ergonomics and construction with tabs to additional information.
Food Distribution Centers
- A Best Practice Guide for the Reduction of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Food Distribution Centers (PDF). Institute for Ergonomics, the Ohio State University. (2005). Provides guidance to distribution centers for the development of a process to address the hazards associated with the food distribution process and identify engineering and administrative controls.
Foundries
- Guidelines for Foundries: Solutions for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Foundries (PDF). OSHA Publication 3465-08. (2012). Provides recommendations for foundries to help increase employer and worker awareness of ergonomics-related risk factors, alleviate muscle fatigue, increase productivity and reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs.
Furniture Manufacturing
- Voluntary Ergonomics Guideline for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry. American Furniture Manufacturers Association. Assists employers and employees in recognizing and controlling potential ergonomic hazards.
Grocery Stores and Warehousing
- Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3192-05N. (2004). Presents recommendations for changing equipment, workstation design, or work methods with the goal of reducing work-related MSDs.
- Grocery Warehousing eTool. OSHA. Describes example ergonomic hazards and solutions with an emphasis on traditional order picking, which accounts for a large number of MSDs. Other areas addressed are transport, storage, packaging and work practice.
Use a portable lift device to eliminate patient lifting
Source: OSHA Nursing Home Guidelines, 2009(PDF*)
Healthcare
- Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3182. (Revised 2009). Provides recommendations for nursing home employers to help reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs in their facilities.
- OSHA Ergonomic eTools are stand-alone, interactive, web-based training designed to help prevent MSDs in health care.
- Hospital: Ergonomics. Focuses on some of the hazards and controls found in the hospital setting, and describes standard requirements as well as recommended safe work practices for employee safety and health.
- Nursing Home. Designed to assist employers and employees in identifying and controlling the hazards associated with nursing homes and residential care facilities, including ergonomic hazards.
- Sonography. Addresses ergonomics-related risk factors for sonographers.
- Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting (PDF). Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP). (Summer 2011). Provides tools for the occupational health professional to implement a safe patient handling program.
- Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper (PDF). Health Guidelines Revision Committee. (2010, April). Goals of the white paper include providing readers with information and resources to help them prepare a patient handling and movement assessment and establish a business case for implementing a patient handling and movement program.
- Back Injury Prevention Guide in the Health Care Industry for Health Care Providers (PDF). Cal/OSHA. (1997). Provides general guidance for employers and workers about preventing back injury as a result of lifting and moving patients and residents.
- Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents (PDF). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2006-117. (2006, February). This guide is intended for nursing home owners, administrators, nurse managers, safety and health professionals and workers who are interested in establishing a safe resident handling program.
- Safe Patient Handling and Movement. Department of Veterans Affairs. Provides information about the proper techniques for patient transfers and lifting as well as ways to evaluate the workplace and develop an effective injury-prevention program.
- Caring for Caregivers (PDF*). Job Safety & Health Quarterly 13.2 (Winter 2002): 25-27.
Manufacturing
- Controlling the Ergonomic Hazards of Wiring Tasks for Household Appliances (PDF). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 98-108. (1997, December). Presents a hierarchy of four methods for reducing workers’ risk factors for MSDs.
- A Strategy for Industrial Power Hand Tool Ergonomic Research – Design, Selection, Installation and Use in Automotive Manufacturing (PDF). US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 95-114. (1995, August). Discusses the many variables to take into consideration when purchasing or designing hand tools, such as physical stressors, work performance, engineering requirements, human operator capabilities and work station or task factors.
Meatpacking
- Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA. (1993). Provides information on the steps employers should take to determine if they have ergonomic-related problems in their workplaces, to identify the nature and location of those problems and to implement measures to reduce or eliminate them.
- Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Meatpacking Plants. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 94-124. (1994). Provides in-depth reports of intervention projects to reduce ergonomic hazards at three meat packing plants.
Mining
- Ergonomics in Mining: Charting a Path to a Safer Workplace. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication No. 2006-141. (2006, September). Provides information on ergonomic processes which can be implemented in a setting such as mining where working conditions frequently change and workers are periodically exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Use diverters to direct material toward the worker to eliminate a long/awkward reach
Source: OSHA Poultry Processing Guidelines, 2004 (Updated Guidelines, 2013(PDF*))
Poultry Processing
- Updated Guidelines: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing (PDF*) (EPUB) (MOBI). OSHA Publication 3213. (2013).
- Poultry Processing eTool. OSHA. Focuses on identifying and controlling major hazards that contributed to the high rates of injuries found in an OSHA Survey of the poultry processing industry.
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Traumatic Injuries Among Employees at a Poultry Processing Plant (PDF). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health HHE No. 2012-0125. (2013). Interim report provides recommendations for poultry processing to reduce MSD’s.
Printing
- Printing (Commercial) eTool. OSHA. Provides information based on the experience of others to help make the process of hazard minimization easier. A description of the printing process and the trouble areas that have currently been identified are detailed for each major styles of printing: lithography, flexography and screen printing.
Sewing
- Sewing eTool [en Español]. OSHA. Workers involved in sewing activities, such as manufacturing garments, shoes and airplane or car upholstery, may be at risk of developing MSDs. This eTool provides example ergonomics solutions specific to sewing.
Shipyards
- Guidelines for Shipyards: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). OSHA Publication 3341. (2008). Provides recommendations for shipyards to help reduce the number and severity of work-related MSDs, increase employer and employee awareness of ergonomic risk factors, eliminate unsafe work practices, alleviate muscle fatigue, and increase productivity.
- Safety Alert: Prevention of Ergonomic-Related Hazards in Shipyard Employment (PDF). Developed through OSHA’s Alliances with the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Shipbuilding Group. (2011, May). Provides a quick overview of possible solutions to hazards found in the shipbuilding process.
Use a drum mover to reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy drums
Source: OSHA Shipyard Guidelines, 2008 (PDF*)
Telecommunications
- Ergonomic Guidelines for Common Job Functions Within the Telecommunications Industry (PDF). National Telecommunications Safety Panel. (2007, November). Provides information pertaining to the science of ergonomics and its impact on the telecommunications industry. It is organized into 4 main sections by work type within the telecommunications industry; outside plant environment, central office environment, office environment and retail environment.
Veterinary
- Introduction to Ergonomics Guidelines for Veterinary Practice. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Provides information about the issues veterinarians face when dealing with ergonomics.
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Source: United States Department of Labor, “Solutions to Control Hazards” http://www.osga.gov website. Accessed December 2, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html
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