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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ergonomist

💰 $ - $

ErgonomicsHealth & SafetyHuman FactorsOccupational Health

🎯 Role Definition

The Ergonomist is responsible for designing, evaluating, and implementing workplace solutions that reduce musculoskeletal risk, improve human performance, and enhance worker well-being and productivity. This role blends applied biomechanics, human factors, occupational health, and system-level process improvement to deliver evidence-based ergonomic programs across industrial, healthcare, office, and field environments. Key deliverables include ergonomic risk assessments, intervention design, training, data analysis, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Safety Specialist / Occupational Health & Safety Technician
  • Physical Therapist / Occupational Therapist with workplace ergonomics experience
  • Human Factors Technician / Industrial Engineer intern

Advancement To:

  • Senior Ergonomist / Lead Ergonomist
  • Ergonomics Program Manager / EHS Manager
  • Director of Ergonomics / Head of Human Factors
  • Independent Ergonomics Consultant or Firm Principal

Lateral Moves:

  • Human Factors Engineer / Usability Specialist
  • Occupational Health Nurse / Clinical Ergonomist
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychologist (focused on ergonomics & job design)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive ergonomic risk assessments across multiple sites and environments using observational tools (e.g., RULA, REBA, NIOSH lifting equation), task analysis, direct measurement, and worker interviews to identify biomechanical, postural, force, and repetition hazards.
  • Develop, document, and prioritize evidence-based ergonomic interventions — including engineering controls (workstation redesign, equipment selection), administrative controls (job rotation, work-rest schedules), and personal protective equipment — and present return-on-investment and cost-benefit analyses for recommended solutions.
  • Lead end-to-end ergonomic improvement projects: scope definition, stakeholder engagement, design validation, pilot testing, implementation plan, training rollout, and post-implementation evaluation with measurable KPIs (injury rates, lost-time, discomfort scores, productivity).
  • Design and deliver customized ergonomic training programs and toolbox talks for frontline employees, supervisors, and leaders focused on manual handling, neutral posture, safe material handling techniques, and early reporting of musculoskeletal discomfort.
  • Create and maintain standardized ergonomic assessment protocols, checklists, and documentation templates to ensure consistency, regulatory compliance, and data quality across teams and sites.
  • Apply anthropometric data and biomechanical principles to design or evaluate workstations, tools, controls, and interfaces that accommodate diverse worker populations and reduce exposure to awkward postures and excessive force.
  • Coordinate with engineering, maintenance, procurement, facilities, and operations teams to specify and procure ergonomic tools, assistive devices, lifting aids, and workstation solutions; review vendor proposals and prototype designs for ergonomic suitability.
  • Perform quantitative analysis of ergonomic data using Excel, statistical tools, and visualization (trend analysis of injury data, discomfort surveys, exposure metrics) and translate findings into executive-level reports and actionable recommendations.
  • Lead root cause investigations of ergonomic-related incidents and near-misses, synthesizing injury surveillance, ergonomic exposures, and work organization data to inform corrective actions and prevention strategies.
  • Collaborate with occupational health, HR, and disability management to support medical-case management, early return-to-work accommodations, ergonomic job modification plans, and individual workstation fittings.
  • Conduct usability and human factors evaluations of tools, controls, software interfaces, and workflows to optimize safety, reduce cognitive load, and improve task efficiency for operators and clinicians.
  • Manage pilot studies and field trials of ergonomic interventions, collecting baseline and follow-up data (EMG, motion capture, perceived exertion, productivity) to validate efficacy and iterate on designs.
  • Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices (OSHA, ANSI/HFES, ISO ergonomic standards) and apply them to program policies, audits, and continuous improvement plans.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior ergonomists, safety technicians, and cross-functional team members; review work products and support professional development.
  • Develop and maintain an ergonomic risk register, prioritizing site-specific and system-level hazards and tracking mitigation progress against organizational objectives and risk tolerance.
  • Deliver written reports, technical memos, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences — from shop-floor employees to senior leadership — with clear recommendations, timelines, and estimated impacts.
  • Integrate ergonomic considerations into new product development, facility layout, and process design reviews to prevent hazards before they are introduced into operations.
  • Use wearable sensors, video analysis, and observational coding to quantify exposures, validate subjective reports, and support data-driven decisions for intervention selection.
  • Support global ergonomic program deployment by adapting tools and training to local languages, regulatory frameworks, and cultural norms while maintaining program fidelity and centralized governance.
  • Monitor and report on key metrics (MSD incidence, severity, near-miss trends, ergonomic assessment completion rates) and use data to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate program value to stakeholders.
  • Facilitate workshops and cross-functional problem-solving sessions (Kaizen, Lean ergonomics) to embed ergonomic principles into process improvement initiatives and reduce risk through system redesign.
  • Advise on workstation accommodations and ergonomic procurement specifications for remote and office workers, incorporating hybrid-work considerations and home-office setups into the overall occupational health strategy.
  • Support grant proposals, research collaborations, and applied ergonomics studies with academic partners to advance evidence-based interventions and publish or present outcomes where appropriate.
  • Maintain up-to-date training and professional certifications (e.g., CPE, Certified Ergonomist, OSHA training) and contribute to the development of organizational competency frameworks for ergonomics.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional readiness for change by preparing communication materials, training schedules, and resource plans related to ergonomic projects and implementations.
  • Contribute to the development of ergonomic content for safety management systems, intranet resources, and employee orientation programs to increase organizational ergonomics awareness.
  • Assist in ad-hoc occupational health initiatives such as wellness programs, fitness for duty evaluations, and ergonomic screening events at job fairs or new-hire onboarding.
  • Participate in supplier audits and capital project reviews to ensure purchased equipment and facility designs meet established ergonomic requirements.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise during incident response and emergency planning to consider human factors implications in evacuation, PPE use, and procedure design.
  • Support the organization's data governance for ergonomic records by ensuring proper storage, confidentiality, and accessibility of assessments and accommodation records.
  • Help maintain a library of ergonomic equipment, trial units, and fit-testing tools for ROI pilots and rapid deployment during high-priority risk mitigation.
  • Coordinate with IT to integrate ergonomic assessment tools and digital reporting into existing EHS or EAP platforms to streamline reporting and analytics.
  • Assist with budget planning and proposal preparation for ergonomic capital investments and long-term program needs.
  • Serve on cross-department committees (sustainability, quality, manufacturing excellence) to ensure ergonomic factors are integrated into broader operational initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Ergonomic assessment methodologies: RULA, REBA, NIOSH lifting equation, OWAS, PLIBEL, job task analysis
  • Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazard identification and risk scoring systems
  • Anthropometry and biomechanics applied to workstation and task design
  • Ergonomic intervention design: engineering controls, administrative controls, assistive devices
  • Human factors and usability evaluation for physical and digital interfaces
  • Data analysis and visualization (Excel advanced, pivot tables, SQL basics, Power BI/Tableau)
  • Biomechanical measurement tools: EMG basics, motion capture, goniometers, force gauges
  • Ergonomic program management, policy development, and audit frameworks
  • Occupational health and safety regulations and standards (OSHA, ANSI/HFES, ISO 9241)
  • Project management fundamentals and experience with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies
  • Report writing, technical documentation, and presentation skills tailored to executive and operational audiences
  • CAD fundamentals or ability to review CAD models for ergonomic fit (preferred)
  • Familiarity with medical case management and workplace accommodation processes

Soft Skills

  • Strong stakeholder engagement and influence — ability to work with frontline workers, managers, procurement, and leadership
  • Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication; experience delivering training and workshops
  • Analytical thinker with problem-solving mindset and attention to detail
  • Empathy and active listening when assessing worker discomfort and designing accommodations
  • Change management skills to support adoption of ergonomic solutions
  • Time management and ability to prioritize multiple projects across sites
  • Collaborative team player who builds credibility with cross-functional partners
  • Coaching and mentoring skills for developing junior staff and promoting ergonomic best practices

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Ergonomics, Human Factors, Industrial Engineering, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Occupational Health, Physical Therapy, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree or graduate diploma in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Biomechanics, Occupational Health, Industrial Engineering, or closely related discipline.
  • Professional certification (e.g., Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), Board Certified Professional Ergonomist, or analogous national credential) is highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Factors / Ergonomics
  • Biomechanics / Kinesiology
  • Industrial or Mechanical Engineering
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Physical/Occupational Therapy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years for mid-level Ergonomist positions; 0–2 years acceptable for junior roles with strong internships or clinical experience.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of applied ergonomics experience for senior-level roles, including proven track record of delivering ergonomic interventions, program management, and measurable reductions in MSD risk or injury metrics.
  • Experience across multiple environments (manufacturing, healthcare, office) and demonstrated success working with multi-site/global programs is a strong plus.
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