Six Sigma: Opportunities for Ergonomics & MSD Prevention

Authors

Michael Greig, W. Patrick Neumann

Key messages

• Six Sigma provides an opportunity to improve MSD prevention efforts.
• Elements for MSD prevention can be integrated into Six Sigma managed improvement projects and associated assessments.
• The adaptable framework and some existing tools can serve as a standalone process to investigate MSD risk using existing risk assessment approaches.
• Using approaches that are familiar to managers and engineers can help gain their support.

Implications for the prevention of MSD

• Adapting ergonomic assessment process or tools to something familiar in the organization helps practitioners to “speak the language” of the organization and potentially increases the relatability, and thus awareness, of ergonomics.
• Increased connection and awareness improves the potential for MSD reduction simultaneous with increased organizational performance.