https://www.dir.ca.gov/chswc/Reports/2011/CHSWC_AnnualReport2011.pdf
Although the cost of an injury has remained steady over the past three years, we have a choice to spend $500 (the cost of an evaluation plus equipment) or risk spending $65, 495 per claim if we are reactive to an employee’s symptoms.
What is the average cost of an ergonomic evaluation?
Several factors lead to the cost of an ergonomic evaluation. Most valuable is the professional merits of the evaluator and years of experience. Consultants or evaluators with a physical or occupational therapy background have been trained in kinesiology and musculoskeletal aspects of the body while industrial hygienists and engineers take more of a mechanical approach to workstation evaluations. Both sets of professional disciplines have solid foundations in understanding the human body in a workplace environment. A company should only seek evaluators with these qualities and experiences of trained professionals to assure their employees with the utmost safety. For a trained professional, expect to spend between $150-$400 per hour. The price range varies depending upon experience and/or purpose of the evaluation. (prevention versus Workers’ Compensation)
What is the average cost of equipment associated with an ergonomic evaluation?
As one can image there is a large variability with respect to the actual cost of equipment, current working equipment, and the recommendations of the consultant. For example, to raise a monitor one may put a 2” paper ream, costing almost nothing, or need a monitor arm which costs approximately $200. An employee may need a monitor arm versus a fixed height monitor if he/she needs to adjust the monitor distance throughout the day due to a change of font size in different programs. Any recommendations of equipment should be justified by the consultant to increase the employee’s productivity and/or in preventive costs to reduce poor behaviors. A chair with the critical mechanics is typically around $400, a quality drop down keyboard tray is $180, a split keyboard is $100, and mice can vary from $30-$150.
Ergonomic Success Story:
How did County of Monterey Preventive Ergonomic Program save $105, 802.00 in the first year of their Ergonomic Program? How did The County of Monterey save $98,176.00 in the SAME year in Indemnity claims? Click on the link below to see Alison Heller-Ono marvelous success story http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/personnel/safetyandergo/ergonomics/pdf/outcomes.pdf
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