Job Analysis Encompasses Job Descriptions, Daily Tasks, and Job Cycles

Job Analysis Encompasses Job Descriptions, Daily Tasks, and Job Cycles
The key management approach to ergonomics is to carry out effective job analysis and develop mitigating measures and solutions to ergonomic problems. Indeed, implementing a proper ergonomic system increases workplace productivity, promotes employees' comfort and satisfaction, and reduces injuries (Safety & Environmental Associates, Inc., 2021). However, awareness and training are necessary to achieve effective ergonomics in the workplace. The training should focus on understanding the workers’ bio-characteristics and daily tasks, including employees’ underlying conditions, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and respiratory infections, and developing personalized and well-engineered solutions (Stack et al., 2016). The management approach must always prioritize the comfort of the employees and the return on investment by avoiding risks.
Job analysis encompasses job descriptions, daily tasks, and job cycles (Stack et al., 2016). The job description includes the role an employee will be playing and the objectives of their position at the workplace. Different roles have different levels of risk; for example, a foreman at a construction site is more at risk than a structural engineer at their office. Secondly, daily tasks must be broken down and analyzed. This considers the equipment and material an employee will use, the station layout, demands, and the socio-economic and physical environment. Job cycles include the work schedule and working hours. Among the factors to consider are the employees' resting times, off-days, and vacation benefits. The three aspects ensure a comprehensive understanding of the risks at the workplace and guide the awareness programs and interventions.
Stack et al. (2016) note that workplace musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly common. Employees working with hazardous materials such as radioactive substances, mercury, chemicals, and radiation are significantly at risk. Similarly, those working in factories and operating machinery have an increased likelihood of an accident. The groups most affected by musculoskeletal disorders include construction, plumbing, warehouse, offloading, and loading laborers (Dasgupta, 2019). The risks are caused by heavy loads pushing, reaching, lifting, bending, and pulling, often over great distances and heights. According to Dasgupta (2019), repetition makes the situation high risk, especially when done over months and years awaiting retirement or promotion. Consequently, employers must provide ergonomic awareness training to reduce and prevent the risks. The objectives of the awareness training must incorporate identifying musculoskeletal disorder symptoms, being aware of company policies on health responses, and being able to report and act by the company's health and ergonomics awareness protocol.
A training system for employees is important as it sensitizes them to the risks of poor workplace con...