Safety, health and comfort in the workplace: An innovative framework to support implementation of ergonomic interventions

BACKGROUND: In the current post-pandemic context, the main characteristics of workplaces have changed radically. Among the most prominent aspects of the post-pandemic workplace are hybrid arrangements, wide-spread remote work as the main work arrangement and increasing automation and robotization. These changes pose major concerns in terms of workplace wellness and occupational health and safety, primarily due to emerging or insufficiently analyzed risks in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: Especially in the post-pandemic world, where emerging risks in the workplace add to the pre-existing organizational challenges, the key to preventive and proactive organizational behavior is integration of ergonomics in current work environments, irrespective of the type of work arrangement (remote, in office, manufacturing plants, etc.). Starting from this idea, the authors aimed to create an intervention model and to support the decision-making process to ensure successful implementation of ergonomic interventions. METHODS: The article presents a new perspective on workplace risk management and enhancement of workplace wellbeing based on a framework that encompasses workplace risk assessment, proposal of ergonomic interventions, and the managerial and financial evaluation of the proposed interventions. RESULTS: A key contribution to the literature in the field is represented by case studies on two companies, where cost-benefit analysis (CBA) was performed to assess validity of the proposed framework. CONCLUSIONS: The paper is a valuable contribution to the literature in the field of ergonomic interventions due to the innovative approach proposed by the authors. Innovation through combination is the key to a framework that addresses the real need of practitioners aiming to improve working conditions and ensure work-life balance across industries.