Classes to Explain Role of Ergonomics in Making Workplaces Safer and More Productive

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Registration is open for three professional development sessions this fall that teach workplace managers and leaders the benefits of using ergonomics to reduce injuries, minimize workers’ compensation costs, and increase job satisfaction and performance.

John Gardner, who has more than 20 years of human resource management experience in employee/labor relations, will teach the class at the University of Arkansas Global Campus Rogers facility, Suite 402, 3300 Market St.

Gardner is a certified human resources professional with experience in multi-plant responsibility for health and safety, and he taught human resource and management development programs at the college level for 15 years.

“Ergonomics is an important consideration no matter the industry,” said Judith Tavano, professional development programs director. 

Participants can register online at http://globalcampus.uark.edu/register. Each program session was approved for 2.5 general recertification hours for professionals in human resources, senior professionals in human resources, and global professionals in human resources through the Human Resource Certification Institute. Professional development courses are supported as part of the mission of the Global Campus.

The classes are:

• “Ergonomics and Its Impact on the Workplace and Workers,” 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, $39.

This workshop explains ergonomics and why workplace leaders and managers need to use it in workforce management. Attention to the physical environment of the workplace can reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, minimize workers’ compensation costs, lower medical claims and lost work time, etc.

• “The Use of OSHA Log 300 to Anticipate and React to Trends,” 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, $39.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Log, also known as OSHA Form 300, is used to record and classify work-related injuries and illnesses and to note the extent and severity of each case. This session explains how managers can go beyond the logging of  required information to gather more data, including close calls. This gives a true evaluation of potential hazards and reveals injury trends that can be used to correct workplace issues before accidents happen.

• “Empowering Your Workforce to Help Identify and Resolve Potentially Hazardous Situations,” 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, $39.

Workplace leaders will learn how to involve workers in adapting workplace processes to meet physical and psychological needs of workers to minimize fatigue, reduce the number of injuries, and increase job satisfaction and performance. The session will explain that ergonomics and workplace safety are shared responsibilities between employees and employers.

Contact Tavano at jtavano@uark.edu for more information about these and other classes.

The Global Campus collaborates with academic colleges and schools, businesses and organizations to provide development classes for business professionals. The Global Campus also supports the development of online academic credit courses and degree programs provided by the university’s colleges and schools. Visit http://globalcampus.uark.edu/pd for information about professional development classes or http://online.uark.edu for online and distance learning offerings.