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What does an ergonomist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Ergonomist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real ergonomist resumes:

  • Maximize productivity through coordinating and managing efforts between service engineers, sales personnel and external OEM automation programmers.
  • Follow OSHA safety standards and help develop numerous hospital protocols of ongoing proficiency standards of excellence in multiple capacities.
  • Collaborate within teams to create essential safety documentation to satisfy ISO requirements.

Ergonomist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 37% of Ergonomists are proficient in Analysis Tools, Assembly Plant, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Detail oriented, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Ergonomists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Analysis Tools, 37%

    Analyzed concerns using ergonomics analysis tools.

  • Assembly Plant, 13%

    Developed and executed Ergonomics Best Practices as manager of ergonomics programs within both the Ohio and Lorain Assembly Plants.

  • OSHA, 13%

    Delivered formal instruction/training in OSHA safe practices and EPA awareness; acquired personal certification in confined spaces operations.

  • Injury Prevention, 13%

    Involved with multi-disciplinary injury prevention programs.

  • Body Mechanics, 10%

    Recommended safe work practices, body mechanics, and workstation modifications in order to reduce the incidence of work related injuries.

  • Workstations, 8%

    Designed assembly workstations, resulting in 20% reduction in ergonomic injuries / illnesses.

Most ergonomists use their skills in "analysis tools," "assembly plant," and "osha" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential ergonomist responsibilities here:

Ability to use technology. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an ergonomist to have is ability to use technology. Their role and responsibilities require that "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to use advanced technology." Ergonomists often use ability to use technology in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyzed concerns using ergonomics analysis tools. "

Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform ergonomist duties is detail oriented. Ergonomists responsibilities require that "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians need to understand and follow safety standards and complex government regulations." Ergonomists also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform detailed radiation surveys of x-ray generating equipment. "

Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of ergonomists is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday ergonomist duties, as "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and be able to travel regularly." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed physical demands analysis of an individual client's occupation using state of the art standards, instrumentation and equipment. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain ergonomist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an ergonomist rely on this skill, as "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to solve problems in order to design and implement workplace processes and procedures that help protect workers from hazardous conditions." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what ergonomists do: "conducted ergonomic hazard analysis to identify excessive risks and effective solutions. "

Communication skills. Another common skill required for ergonomist responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of ergonomists all the time, as "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to communicate safety instructions and concerns to employees and managers." An excerpt from a real ergonomist resume shows how this skill is central to what an ergonomist does: "designed range of communications products including early portable sattcomm system (used in 1st gulf war). "

Most common ergonomist skills

The three companies that hire the most ergonomists are:

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Compare different ergonomists

Ergonomist vs. Health & safety officer

A Health and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the workplace's safety and security to provide smooth operations and implement safety practices within the premises. They inspect the facilities and equipment's condition and report any failures and defects for immediate resolution. They also facilitate safety training and programs for the employees to reiterate safety protocols and policies for strict compliance. A health and safety officer reviews incident reports, recommend safety and security resolutions and develop safety initiatives.

If we compare the average ergonomist annual salary with that of a health & safety officer, we find that health & safety officers typically earn a $1,216 lower salary than ergonomists make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an ergonomist are more likely to require skills like "analysis tools," "assembly plant," "injury prevention," and "body mechanics." On the other hand, a job as a health & safety officer requires skills like "site safety," "em-385," "safety program," and "fall protection." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, health & safety officers reach lower levels of education than ergonomists. Health & safety officers are 6.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Ergonomist vs. Plant safety leader

Plant Safety Leaders are responsible for ensuring the organization's facility adheres to all safety policies and regulations. Their duties include advising employees on safety work culture, develop safe work practices programs, and make sure projects' operations fulfill legal safety requirements. They are also involved in conducting accident investigations, implementing safety worksite processes, and producing safety reports. Plant Safety Leaders carry out safety and risk assessments, perform emergency response evaluations, and facilitate staff departments' training sessions.

A career as a plant safety leader brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an ergonomist. In fact, plant safety leaders salary is $17,651 higher than the salary of ergonomists per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real ergonomist resumes. While ergonomist responsibilities can utilize skills like "analysis tools," "assembly plant," "injury prevention," and "body mechanics," plant safety leaders use skills like "continuous improvement," "safety audits," "safety procedures," and "safety regulations."

In general, plant safety leaders achieve lower levels of education than ergonomists. They're 10.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 6.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Ergonomist vs. Safety inspector

A safety inspector is in charge of performing inspections to ensure that workplaces comply with the company or government's safety standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include inspecting tools and equipment, reviewing documents and specifications, assessing the workforce performances and conditions, observing facilities, and ensuring that employees have protective gear and safety measure knowledge. Moreover, a safety inspector utilizes the findings of their observation to recommend methods that will help workplaces maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone. They may also investigate workplace incidents to keep them from happening again.

An average safety inspector eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of ergonomists. The difference in salaries amounts to safety inspectors earning a $8,958 lower average salary than ergonomists.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, ergonomists are more likely to have skills like "analysis tools," "assembly plant," "injury prevention," and "body mechanics." But a safety inspector is more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "safety inspections," "fire protection," and "safety standards."

Most safety inspectors achieve a lower degree level compared to ergonomists. For example, they're 12.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Ergonomist vs. Safety officer

A safety officer specializes in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for employees in a building or establishment. Aside from adhering to the safety standards and regulations within a company, a safety officer also has to craft and improve policies that prioritize the physical and mental health of workers. Furthermore, it is essential to implement safety programs by educating workers on various precautionary measures, performing regular inspections of equipment and machines, and ensuring the proper disposal of any hazardous waste materials.

Safety officers average a lower salary than the annual salary of ergonomists. The difference is about $11,387 per year.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "analysis tools," "assembly plant," "injury prevention," and "body mechanics" are skills that commonly show up on ergonomist resumes. On the other hand, safety officers use skills like patients, patrol, safety procedures, and safety program on their resumes.safety officers reach lower levels of education compared to ergonomists, in general. The difference is that they're 9.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 6.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of ergonomist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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