Ergonomics

Term from Rehabilitation Services industry explained for recruiters

Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces and tasks to best fit the people who use them. Think of it as making work comfortable and safe for employees. This field focuses on preventing injuries by adjusting things like desk height, chair support, or how tasks are done. It's similar to workplace safety or occupational health, but specifically looks at how people interact with their work environment. When you see this on a resume, it usually means the person knows how to assess workspaces and suggest changes to prevent worker injuries and increase comfort.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Ergonomics assessments for 200+ office employees to reduce workplace injuries

Implemented Ergonomic solutions that reduced repetitive strain injuries by 40%

Trained department managers on Ergonomics principles and workplace adjustments

Typical job title: "Ergonomists"

Also try searching for:

Ergonomist Occupational Therapist Industrial Ergonomist Human Factors Specialist Workplace Safety Specialist Ergonomics Consultant Occupational Health Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a complex ergonomic assessment you've conducted and how you implemented solutions?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience managing large-scale workplace assessments, implementing changes across departments, and measuring success through reduced injury rates or improved productivity.

Q: How do you stay current with ergonomics regulations and best practices?

Expected Answer: Should mention professional memberships, continuing education, attending conferences, and experience applying updated standards to workplace situations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to evaluate workplace ergonomic risks?

Expected Answer: Should describe specific assessment tools, observation techniques, and how they gather employee feedback to identify potential hazards and discomfort.

Q: How do you convince management to invest in ergonomic improvements?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating business cases, showing cost-benefit analysis, and presenting data about injury prevention and productivity improvements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic principles of office ergonomics?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain proper sitting posture, monitor height, keyboard position, and basic workplace adjustment recommendations.

Q: How do you conduct a basic workstation assessment?

Expected Answer: Should describe the steps of observing an employee's work setup, measuring important distances, and identifying obvious risk factors.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic workplace assessments
  • Knowledge of office ergonomics
  • Simple measurement techniques
  • Understanding of common workplace injuries

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex workplace evaluations
  • Implementation of department-wide solutions
  • Training program development
  • Risk assessment methods

Senior (5+ years)

  • Program development and management
  • Corporate policy creation
  • Return on investment analysis
  • Multi-site project coordination

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No formal training or certification in ergonomics
  • Limited understanding of injury prevention principles
  • No experience with workplace assessments
  • Inability to explain basic ergonomic measurements
  • Lack of knowledge about current workplace safety regulations