The Benefits of Ergonomics for the Aging Workforce


By Suzanne Gainey

The number of older Americans in the workforce between the ages of 65-74 is on the rise. By 2022, it is projected that over 30% of the overall workforce will be comprised of Americans in this age bracket. It isn’t that our population is growing older as a whole, but rather that this generation of workers is staying in the workforce longer. With such a large percentage of the workforce in their golden years, it is important to look at ways to keep this sector of the workforce going strong.

In a previous article titled, Should I Really Be Concerned About the Comfort and Happiness of My Work Force, we examined the benefits of worker comfort and happiness. Comfortable and happy workers are significantly more productive at work, and furthermore, having a positive experience at work can lead to greater efficiency and longevity in the workplace. One way that comfort and efficiency can be achieved is to implement ergonomic solutions in the workplace.

Effective ergonomic solutions can benefit your workplace in a number of ways. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reviewed 250 case studies on the effects of ergonomics in a variety of settings. They found that there are benefits that can positively impact your workplace. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits.

Ergonomic solutions can improve productivity by allowing for less exertion by the employee. Making simple modification such as requiring fewer motions to complete a task, adjusting work stations to better heights, and allowing for good posture are simple ways to implement ergonomic solutions at very low cost to your company. When employees aren’t suffering daily, they are much more likely to be productive.

With added productivity and comfort in your workplace, costs will naturally be reduced. Did you realize that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 33% of all injury and illness cases were attributed to Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s)? MSD’s are injuries or pain in the human musculoskeletal system, including the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back. Workers who spend too much time on their feet or performing repetitive tasks are at a greatly increased risk of pain and discomfort from these types of injuries. With approximately $1 of every $3 in workers compensation costs being attributed to MSD related injuries, taking a look at reducing these injuries is of critical importance for your bottom line. Ergonomic solutions can help to reduce these types of workplace injury.

Prudent companies know that they cannot ignore the overall well-being of their most valuable asset – their employees. At SmartCells, we provide ergonomic safety solutions to top companies such as Amazon, Costco, and Boeing to name a few. Our SmartCells® mats, flooring, and insoles are engineered with cushioning specifically developed to help your workforce feel great, and meet your health, safety, and productivity needs.

Learn more about how SmartCells can be incorporated into your ergonomic solutions at our Industrial Application page.

Do More. Feel Good. With SmartCells.