Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: ISO 45001 • Mental Health First Aid • Duty to Accommodate

Ergonomics

Term from Occupational Health industry explained for recruiters

Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces and tools to fit the people who use them, rather than forcing people to fit their workspace. It's like tailoring a suit - everything needs to be just right to prevent discomfort and injury. When you see this term in resumes, it usually means the person has experience in making workplaces safer and more comfortable, whether that's arranging office furniture, designing factory workstations, or improving tools and equipment. This field is also sometimes called "human factors engineering" or "workplace ergonomics."

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Ergonomics assessments for 200+ office workstations, reducing reported discomfort by 60%

Implemented Ergonomic solutions in manufacturing facility, decreasing repetitive strain injuries by 40%

Led Ergonomics training programs for staff and managers on proper workspace setup and body mechanics

Typical job title: "Ergonomists"

Also try searching for:

Ergonomist Human Factors Specialist Occupational Health Specialist Ergonomics Consultant Workplace Safety Specialist Human Factors Engineer Occupational Ergonomist

Where to Find Ergonomists

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a challenging ergonomics project you managed and how you measured its success?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience leading large-scale workplace assessments, implementing solutions across multiple departments or locations, and using data to track improvements in injury rates or productivity.

Q: How do you develop an organization-wide ergonomics program?

Expected Answer: Strong answers should cover creating policies, training programs, assessment protocols, getting management buy-in, and establishing ways to measure program effectiveness.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What methods do you use to evaluate workspace ergonomics?

Expected Answer: They should mention observation techniques, measurement tools, employee interviews, risk assessment checklists, and how they document findings and recommendations.

Q: How do you prioritize ergonomic improvements when working with budget constraints?

Expected Answer: Look for practical approaches to identifying high-risk areas, suggesting both quick fixes and long-term solutions, and ability to justify costs through potential savings in injury prevention.

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 adjustments for common office equipment.

Q: How would you conduct a basic workstation assessment?

Expected Answer: Should describe the steps of observing work habits, measuring workspace dimensions, identifying risk factors, and making basic adjustment recommendations.