Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ergonomic Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

As an Ergonomic Consultant, you are the architect of a safer, more efficient, and healthier workplace. You will apply scientific principles of human factors and ergonomics to design and evaluate tasks, jobs, products, and environments. Your primary goal is to make them compatible with the needs, abilities, and limitations of people. By identifying and mitigating ergonomic risks, you will play a crucial role in preventing musculoskeletal injuries, reducing workers' compensation costs, enhancing employee well-being, and boosting overall productivity. This position requires a unique blend of analytical rigor, creative problem-solving, and exceptional interpersonal skills to champion human-centered design across the organization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Kinesiologist / Exercise Physiologist
Physical or Occupational Therapist
Safety Coordinator / EHS Specialist
Industrial Engineer

Advancement To:

Senior Ergonomist / Principal Consultant
Director of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)
Human Factors Engineering Manager
Corporate Manager of Ergonomics

Lateral Moves:

UX Researcher
Industrial Hygienist
Product Designer (Physical Products)
Safety Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive ergonomic risk assessments for a wide range of work environments, including industrial, manufacturing, laboratory, and office settings, utilizing established scientific tools and methodologies (e.g., RULA, REBA, NIOSH Lifting Equation, Strain Index).
Develop, implement, and manage corporate-wide or client-specific ergonomics programs designed to systematically identify and control musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards.
Perform detailed on-site and virtual ergonomic evaluations for individual employees, providing tailored recommendations for workstation setup, equipment, and work-practice modifications.
Lead the design and redesign of workstations, tools, equipment, and manufacturing processes to reduce physical stressors such as force, repetition, and awkward postures.
Conduct in-depth root cause analysis for work-related MSDs, collaborating with safety and medical teams to develop effective corrective and preventative action plans.
Develop and deliver engaging and impactful ergonomics training programs for employees, supervisors, engineers, and management to foster a strong safety culture.
Analyze injury and illness data, workers' compensation claims, and employee feedback to identify trends, prioritize interventions, and measure program effectiveness.
Author detailed, professional technical reports that clearly summarize assessment findings, risk levels, and specific, cost-justified recommendations for engineering and administrative controls.
Provide expert guidance and consultation to engineering, facilities, and procurement teams on the ergonomic specifications for new equipment, furniture, and facility layouts.
Lead and facilitate site-based ergonomics committees or continuous improvement teams to drive employee engagement and sustain ergonomic improvements.
Perform thorough Physical Demands Analyses (PDAs) and Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) to accurately document the physical requirements and risks of specific job roles.
Manage multiple, concurrent ergonomic projects from initial scope definition to final implementation, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Evaluate and recommend innovative ergonomic solutions, including assistive devices, material handling equipment, and software, to solve complex manual handling challenges.
Stay abreast of emerging trends, research, and best practices in the field of ergonomics and human factors, as well as relevant regulations from OSHA and standards from ANSI/HFES.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Human Resources, Operations, and Legal departments on return-to-work programs, job accommodations, and ADA compliance.
Utilize specialized ergonomic software and technology, including video analysis tools and digital human modeling, to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of assessments.
Provide expert consultation and support during the design phase of new products and processes to proactively integrate ergonomic principles and prevent future risks.
Conduct post-offer employment testing (POET) and functional capacity evaluations to ensure a safe match between a worker's physical capabilities and the demands of the job.
Partner with Lean and Six Sigma teams to ensure that process improvement initiatives also result in a reduction of ergonomic risk factors for employees.
Mentor and coach junior EHS staff, safety champions, and operational leaders to build their knowledge and capabilities in identifying and solving ergonomic issues.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc EHS data requests and conduct exploratory analysis of injury trends and leading indicators.
Contribute to the organization's or client's overall health and safety strategy and long-term roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate operational needs and challenges into actionable ergonomic design requirements.
Participate in project planning and agile-style sprints for large-scale ergonomic and safety initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep proficiency in applying ergonomic assessment methodologies (RULA, REBA, NIOSH Lifting Equation, Moore-Garg Strain Index, OCRA).
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state OSHA regulations, as well as industry standards from ANSI, ISO, and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).
Expertise in conducting and documenting Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).
Strong foundation in biomechanics, anthropometry, and work physiology.
Experience using ergonomic analysis software (e.g., VelocityEHS, ErgoPlus, 3D SSPP, Motion Analysis).
Exceptional technical report writing and data visualization skills.
Project management skills, with the ability to manage scope, schedule, and resources effectively.
Practical experience in both industrial/manufacturing ergonomics and office/computer ergonomics.
Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications (e.g., CAD, facility layouts).
Knowledge of statistics for analyzing injury data and measuring program outcomes.

Soft Skills

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Strong observational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Advanced analytical and critical thinking abilities for effective root cause analysis.
Ability to influence, persuade, and build consensus without direct authority.
Excellent interpersonal and client relationship management skills.
Empathy and the ability to connect with employees at all levels of the organization.
Creative and pragmatic problem-solving skills.
Strong coaching, training, and presentation abilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field is required.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
Professional certification such as CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist), AEP (Associate Ergonomics Professional), or CSP (Certified Safety Professional) is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Biomechanics
Human Factors Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Occupational Safety and Health
Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience with a primary focus on implementing ergonomic programs in an industrial, corporate, or consulting environment.

Preferred:

Direct experience leading large-scale ergonomic projects, managing an ergonomics program, and demonstrating quantifiable reductions in MSD risk and injury rates. Experience in a variety of industries is a strong asset.