About this session
Ergonomics applies anywhere people interact with work: at a desk, behind a counter, on a production line, in a laboratory, inside a vehicle, using tools, handling materials or moving between work areas. The question is not whether someone is sitting or standing correctly.
It is whether the task, equipment and environment fit the people expected to use them.
Participants learn to recognize the main sources of physical demand, including force, reach, working position, repetition, duration, contact pressure and limited recovery.
They examine how these factors interact and why the same task can become much more demanding when the tool, work height, material location, pace or duration changes.
The session then moves upstream into prevention. Participants compare personal adjustments with stronger changes to tools, equipment, layout, material flow and work organization.
Longer programs develop these principles into a repeatable ergonomic improvement process, connecting worker experience with employer action and verifying that changes genuinely improve the work rather than shifting the problem somewhere else.
What your people take away
- Understand ergonomics as fitting work, equipment and environments to people
- Recognize how force, reach, working position, repetition, duration and recovery combine
- Look beyond posture to tools, materials, work height, layout and workflow
- Prioritize changes to the task and work system before relying on reminders or individual coping
- Distinguish personal adjustments from problems requiring employer or specialist action
- Plan, assign and review ergonomic improvements so controls remain useful during real work
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Read the Physical Demand in the WorkA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Read the Physical Demand in the Work: start with what the task requires, connect force, reach and working position and include repetition, duration and recovery.
- Start with what the task requires
- Connect force, reach and working position
- Include repetition, duration and recovery
Covers 3 of 4 points in Read the Physical Demand in the Work.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Ergonomics FoundationsUnderstand ergonomics beyond posture and desk setup. Participants learn how force, reach, working position, repetition and duration interact, compare stronger controls and identify when the task, equipment or work system needs to change.
- What ergonomics really means
- Force, reach and working position
- Repetition, duration and recovery
- Tools and equipment
- Work height and material position
- Work design before personal coping
- Worker versus employer action
- Ergonomics Decision Check
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Read the Physical Demand in the Work.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Apply Ergonomics Across Different Types of WorkBuild on the fundamentals through desk, standing, service, laboratory, production and manual-work scenarios. Participants map task demand, compare equipment and work-design controls and prepare a practical improvement request for a representative task.
- Ergonomic Demand Mapping
- Combined physical-demand factors
- Work height and reach
- Force and grip
- Tools and equipment
- Material presentation and flow
- Meaningful task variation
- Pace, staffing and recovery
- Early reporting and support
- Ergonomic Improvement Proposal
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Read the Physical Demand in the Work and Redesign the Task Before Coaching the Person.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Read the Physical Demand in the Work, Redesign the Task Before Coaching the Person and Match Tools, Equipment and Work Organization to People.
Full day
Full Day — Ergonomics 101 WorkshopExplore all four modules through contrasting workplace cases. Participants map ergonomic demand, redesign a task, compare tools and work organization, and develop an improvement plan with clear responsibility and verification steps.
- Module 1 — Read the Physical Demand in the Work
- Module 2 — Redesign the Task Before Coaching the Person
- Module 3 — Match Tools, Equipment and Work Organization to People
- Module 4 — Turn Ergonomic Observations Into Workplace Improvement
- Ergonomic Task Demand Map
- Work Height and Reach Exercise
- Force and Tool Review
- Task Redesign Scenario
- Task Variation Comparison
- Worker vs Employer Responsibility Exercise
- Ergonomic Control Verification Exercise
- 30-Day Ergonomic Improvement Plan
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
Also available as a 4-week or 8-week program, for change that lasts. Ask us about it.
What’s covered
Read the Physical Demand in the Work
Every length- Start with what the task requiresErgonomics begins with the work itself: what needs to be seen, reached, held, moved, controlled, repeated or sustained.
- Connect force, reach and working positionWorking farther from the body can increase effort, while high or low work positions may require prolonged shoulder, back, neck, knee or hand demand.
- Include repetition, duration and recoveryAn ordinary action can become more demanding when it repeats frequently, continues for a long period or allows little opportunity to change activity.
- Notice contact pressure, vibration and other contributorsHard edges, poorly supported tools, repeated pressure and vibration can add to the demands already created by force, position and duration.
Redesign the Task Before Coaching the Person
90 minutes and longer- Remove unnecessary physical demandParticipants look for steps that can be eliminated, combined, automated or completed differently before focusing on how the worker moves.
- Change work height, reach and material positionAdjustable surfaces, raised or lowered work, better staging and repositioned controls can bring work into a more usable area.
- Use supports, mechanical assistance and better flowFixtures, stands, carts, hoists, conveyors, tool supports and other suitable aids can reduce holding, carrying or repeated repositioning.
- Keep safety-critical controls in placeAn ergonomic change is not an improvement if it bypasses guarding, weakens fall prevention, obstructs emergency access or creates a new electrical, chemical or traffic hazard.
Match Tools, Equipment and Work Organization to People
3 hours and longer- Select tools and equipment around real useTool size, handle design, trigger force, weight, balance, input-device characteristics and equipment adjustability can change the effort needed to work.
- Design for different people — not one standard bodyPeople differ in height, reach, strength, vision, mobility, handedness and functional needs.
- Use task variation that actually changes the demandMoving between job names does not guarantee ergonomic variation.
- Include pace, staffing and recovery in the designLine speed, queue volume, staffing, deadlines and coverage can determine whether workers can use the control as intended or change activity before fatigue builds.
Turn Ergonomic Observations Into Workplace Improvement
Full day only- Report the task — not just the body partUseful ergonomic information describes what work is being performed, where the effort or awkward access occurs, how often it happens and what effect it has on safe function.
- Separate worker action from organizational responsibilityEmployees may be able to reposition an item, use an approved adjustment or raise a concern.
- Trial changes and check for transferred demandA new tool, workstation height or process sequence should be reviewed during real use.
- Use recurring problems to improve future workRepeated concerns can reveal patterns in equipment selection, layout, purchasing, maintenance, work design or change management.
Tools and materials
- Ergonomic Task Demand Map
- Ergonomic Control Hierarchy Planner
- Work Height and Reach Review
- Force and Tool Demand Review
- Ergonomic Work Pattern Review
- Task Variation Comparison
- Equipment and Adjustability Brief
- Ergonomic Concern and Support Request
- Ergonomic Control Verification Review
- Workplace Ergonomics Foundations Playbook
Who it’s for
- Employees who want a practical foundation in workplace ergonomics
- Desk-based, standing, mobile, laboratory, production, service and physically active teams
- Supervisors and managers responsible for equipment, work organization or everyday task design
- HR, facilities, safety, operations and procurement colleagues supporting ergonomic improvements
- Organizations wanting a cross-sector ergonomics foundation before moving into more specialized sessions
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Ergonomics 101
How long is Ergonomics 101?
Ergonomics 101 runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Read the Physical Demand in the Work: start with what the task requires, connect force, reach and working position and include repetition, duration and recovery. A 60-minute session covers Read the Physical Demand in the Work in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Redesign the Task Before Coaching the Person. A 3-hour session adds Match Tools, Equipment and Work Organization to People. A full-day session adds Turn Ergonomic Observations Into Workplace Improvement. It is also available as a 4-week or 8-week program.
Can Ergonomics 101 be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Ergonomics 101?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Ergonomics 101 to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.