The Productivity Consequences of Two Ergonomic InterventionsUpjohn Institute Working Paper 03-95Kelly DeRango, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Researche-mail: derango@upjohninstitute.org Ben Amick III, University of Texas Health Sciences Center Michelle Robertson, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety Ted Rooney, Health and Work Outcomes Anne Moore, School of Kinesiology and Health Science Lianna Bazzani, Health and Work Outcomes May 2003 JEL Classification Codes: I1, J0, J8, M5 AbstractPre- and post-intervention data on health outcomes, absenteeism, and productivity from a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design field study of office workers was used to evaluate the economic consequences of two ergonomic interventions. Researchers assigned individuals in the study to three groups: a group that received an ergonomically designed chair and office ergonomics training; a group that received office ergonomics training only; and a control group. The results show that while training alone has neither a statistically significant effect on health nor productivity, the chair-with-training intervention substantially reduced pain and improved productivity. Neither intervention affected sick leave hours. Full text | Institute Home Page | Back to Working Papers       |