Cost Justification for Implementing Ergonomics Intervention - Fundamentals and Assessment Tools for Occupational Ergonomics - page 49

4
Cost Justification
for Implementing
Ergonomics
Intervention

4.1 Introduction ............................. 4-1

Productivity and Profit for an Enterprise Is Compatible with
Good Working Conditions † Why Should Economics be Part
of Ergonomics? † Using Financial Arguments

4.2 Financial Modeling . . ...................... 4-3

How is Work Valued in Economics? † What Models Suit
Ergonomists? † What Do We Need to Measure? † What Are
the Limitations of Cost-Benefit Analysis? † What Are the
Benefits of Enterprise-Based Cost-Benefit Analysis?
4.3 Cost-Benefit Analysis . ...................... 4-7

Cost-Benefit Analysis as a Checklist † Cost-Benefit Analysis
Assumptions † A Cost-Benefit Analysis Model: The
Productivity Assessment Tool
4.4 Applications .............................

Maurice Oxenburgh
Pepe Marlow
Ergonomics Consultant

4-9

Warehouse Work — Truck Loading † Manual Handling Made
Easy: Barrel Handling † Manual Handling in Coal Mines

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 Productivity and Profit for an Enterprise Is Compatible with Good
Working Conditions
Ergonomists and finance managers bring to health, safety and production problems different assump-
tions about what is acceptable. For instance, from a health and safety point of view it is not considered
acceptable to have dusty, dirty and unsafe working conditions. However, from the point of view of an
economic rationalist dusty, dirty and unsafe working conditions can be totally acceptable on the basis
that (a) someone has to do the work and (b) the worker has agreed to work under these conditions
for the wages paid. Accounting systems that underlie enterprise financial structures are based on this
economic premise.

4-1