Impact

The return on investment for implementing ergonomic improvements at the workplace has been measured by a number of organizations.

In a recent report, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in the US states that for every dollar spent on ergonomic improvements, a business may receive as much as four dollars profit as a result of the cost savings.

In Canada, the following examples demonstrate the value of ergonomic intervention by different organizations:

• Canada Life in Toronto showed a return on investment of $3.40 on each corporate dollar invested on reduced turnover, productivity gains and decreased medical claims.
• Dr. Roy Shephard found corporate wellness programs returned a cumulative economic benefit of $500 – $700 per worker per year.
• Municipal employees in Toronto missed 3.35 fewer days in the first six months of their "Metro Fit" fitness programs than employees not enrolled in the program.
• BC Hydro employees enrolled in a work-sponsored fitness program had a turnover rate of 3.5% compared with the company average of 10.3%.
• The Canadian Life Assurance Company found that the turnover rate for fitness program participants was 32.4% lower than the average over a seven-year period.
• Toronto Life Assurance found that employee turnover for those enrolled in the company's fitness program was 1.5% versus 15% for non-participants.