Empowerment Ergonomics

Empowerment Ergonomics assessment, training, and consulting services help clients reduce the costs associated with injury, improve worker comfort and performance, and create more productive work environments, thus realizing substantial returns on their ergonomics investments. 

Work Assessment

Empowerment Ergonomics has evaluated diverse clients in virtually all types of work and environments including manufacturing, manual material handling, office and business services, laboratory, healthcare, maintenance and facilities, veterinary, agriculture, dining and food service.  Our assessment is an on-site analysis of Person, Task, and Environment including:

• On-line employee profile
• Digital imaging
• Skilled observation
• Application of various data-driven evaluation tools  
• On-site education and workspace adjustment

The result is a comprehensive Work Enhancement Report with recommendations for safer and more productive job performance.  Reporting may also include digital images, product specifications, web/community resources, and life activity recommendations.  Empowerment Ergo provides the necessary follow-up contact to evaluate progress and ensure success.

“I really didn't know what to expect from an ergonomic assessment, but I knew I needed help. Empowerment by Design came to my office, observed how I worked, and then made simple suggestions that greatly improved my body position in relation to both my desk and my computer. My back and neck felt better immediately. I can't believe what a difference it's made in how I feel at the end of the day.”

Bob Riter
Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance

Group Training

Customized and rich with resources, Empowerment Ergo’s seminars can be designed to provide an introductory overview or intensive continuing education.  Topics include:

• Seating - experiential group chair adjustment sessions for optimal seating
• Lifting/Body Mechanics - job-specific training manual material handling, computer/office, custodial/maintenance, dining/food service, and other physically demanding work
• Visual Issues - related to computer and other visually demanding tasks
• Lifestyle Design - a system of life activity analysis and planning services to help clients better cope with the demands of work
• Ergonomics Team Development – empowering clients to identify and address ergonomic issues “in-house” for reduced risk of injuries and improved productivity for any job requirements.  Empowerment Ergo can train new ergonomics liaisons/committees from the ground up as well as provide experienced teams with ongoing education and resources. 

Work Enhancement Consulting

Ergonomic principles should be taken into consideration when making production, lighting, design/layout, furniture, computer accessory, environmental accessibility, tool design, work flow/job rotation, and work/life configuration decisions.  Empowerment Ergo provides a valuable data and perspective to ensure that these principles are intergrated into all work processes.  Consulting services are customized and scaled to fit any size business and budget.

• Enhanced productivity
• Reduced costs associated with injury
• Greater environmental and human sustainability
• More effective furniture and equipment purchasing
• Inclusive accessibility to environment and services
• A Stronger Bottom Line

Client Lifestyle

Most ergonomic consultants would agree that life outside of work can have a significant impact on client comfort and performance at work. However, virtually none will make an effort to consider employee lifestyle in their evaluation process. Empowerment Ergo stands alone in our commitment to engage, educate and provide resources for clients to set and achieve lifestyle goals so they may better cope with the demands of their work.  Follow the link to our Wellness page for client profiles demonstrating our success in Lifestyle Design.

Selected List of Clients   

• Cornell University—Empowerment Ergo has coordinated Cornell’s Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program, (MIPP), since the Spring 2005. 

  Client Highlight - The Cornell MIPP

  Cornell University’s Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program (MIPP) was conceived nearly 15 years ago to reduce the costs and negative impacts of employee back injuries.  Today, the MIPP is a project of the Division of Human Resources, Benefit Services.  Ergonomics initiatives have become an integral part of the interdisciplinary team committed to reducing employee injury at Cornell. 

  Empowerment Ergonomics has provided on-site ergonomic assessment, training and consultation services as a benefit to thousands of University employees with diverse job descriptions.  The latest initiative is the Ergonomics Resource Center: a studio demonstrating the latest in furniture and equipment and a resource assisting University departments in making more effective purchasing and design decisions.  Empowerment Ergo is proud to be advancing the mission of the MIPP, raising awareness of ergonomic issues and contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce at Cornell. 

• BorgWarner Morse TEC
• Tompkins Trust Company
• Ithaca College
• NYS Department of Labor—Tompkins Workforce NY
• gimme! Coffee, Inc.
• Alternatives Federal Credit Union
• Knight Associates, Architects.
• Brown and Michaels, PC
• Philips Medical