Minnesota Statute 182.677 has introduced new ergonomics requirements for employers in healthcare, warehousing, and meatpacking industries. The statute was designed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by requiring covered employers to develop and maintain formal ergonomics programs that identify, assess, and control workplace risk factors. [revisor.mn.gov], [dli.mn.gov]
Even if the MN statute does not apply to your company, it provides a framework for best practices for a strong ergonomics program. Employers that take a proactive approach will find that a strong ergonomics program delivers valuable employees benefits. Effective ergonomics programs can help reduce injuries, improve employee engagement, lower workers' compensation costs, and support a safer, more productive workplace. [dli.mn.gov], [revisor.mn.gov]
Whether your company is subject to the statute or not, this article can guide your organization through assessment of your current ergonomic efforts and drive change in a positive direction towards a stronger ergonomic program.
The first step toward compliance is understanding whether your organization falls under the statute. Minnesota Statute 182.677 applies to licensed healthcare facilities, warehouse distribution centers with 100 or more employees, and meatpacking sites with 100 or more employees that meet specific NAICS classifications. [revisor.mn.gov], [codes.findlaw.com]
If your organization operates within one of these industries, developing a written ergonomics program is simply not optional. Covered employers are required to establish and implement a program focused on minimizing the risk of employees developing or aggravating musculoskeletal disorders. [revisor.mn.gov], [codes.findlaw.com]
Although Minnesota Statute 182.677 identifies specific components, the principles behind the statute align with proven injury prevention strategies. Musculoskeletal disorders remain among the most common workplace injuries, and addressing risk factors before injuries occur can help reduce costs, improve productivity, and support employee retention.
Employers that build strong ergonomics programs often experience benefits that extend well beyond compliance, including improved employee engagement, fewer discomfort complaints, reduced injury-related expenses, and a stronger overall safety culture.
A compliant ergonomics program must include several key components. ErgoWorks has created a checklist for you to print and use for a self-assessment of your ergonomics program. The checklist will guide you through the various requirements so you can determine components already in compliance, and components of the statute you still need to address. Check out the link at the end of this article to download, or find it under the Resources tab.
Ergonomic assessments are a key component of the statute. These assessments are intended to identify musculoskeletal disorder risk factors for job tasks within your facility. These evaluations should examine known high physical demand job tasks, challenging workstations, how employees use equipment, and production workflows. The assessments should provide a result or report of the risk factors to employees doing the task, exposures that may contribute to ergonomic injuries, and solutions for reducing those risk factors [revisor.mn.gov], [revisor.mn.gov]
The statute requires organizations to find solutions to eliminate ergonomic hazards whenever possible. When hazards cannot be eliminated, employers should implement feasible engineering controls, administrative controls, or a combination to reduce risk. Examples may include workstation redesign, mechanical assists, workflow changes, task rotation, or process improvements.
Best practice is to evaluate a task before and after ergonomic controls have been implemented to show the reduction in ergonomic risk. This cadence of assessment can be a valuable tool for capturing the benefit to the employee in reducing or eliminating their musculoskeletal injury risk. If your company struggles with employee buy-in when changes occur, this process can make valuable strides in a positive direction.
Training is a critical component of compliance. Employees should receive education on ergonomics, common risk factors, early signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, and the importance of reporting concerns before they progress into more serious injuries. Training should occur initially and continue throughout the year. Training topics for all employees includes knowledge of the company’s ergonomics program, how to provide ergonomic suggestions, early reporting procedures, names of safety committee members, and future ergonomic improvements for the facility.
Employers must have procedures that encourage employees to report discomfort and early symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Early intervention helps prevent symptom progression, reduce serious injuries, and minimize lost-time claims. Early reports of soreness and discomfort are a key indicator of areas for ergonomic assessments, and can be an indicator of musculoskeletal injury risk.
Employees often have valuable insight into workplace challenges and potential solutions. The statute requires employers to establish a process that allows employees to suggest ideas for reducing, controlling, or eliminating ergonomic hazards. This can be a suggestion box in the break room, brainstorming at morning meetings, or monthly 1:1 or group meetings.
Physical plant modifications, renovations, and major construction projects should support the organization's ergonomics goals. Evaluating ergonomic risks during planning stages can help prevent new hazards from being introduced into the workplace, and even reduce or eliminate employee injury risk.
Compliance does not end once a program has been implemented. Employers must establish a procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of their ergonomics program annually and whenever significant work process changes occur. These evaluations should measure the success of implemented solutions and determine whether program goals are being achieved.
Many employers understand the requirements of the statute but struggle with implementation. One of the most common challenges is identifying workplace risk factors in a consistent and measurable way. Others include developing meaningful employee training, documenting ergonomic solutions and their benefit in reducing ergonomic risk factors, and identifying ergonomic improvements in the future.
Organizations may also find it difficult to determine which engineering or administrative controls will have the greatest impact. A structured assessment process and clear documentation of employee injuries and early reporting will guide short term and long term solutions.
Meeting the requirements of Minnesota Statute 182.677 requires more than a written policy that sits on a shelf and collects dust. Employers need a living, breathing, ergonomics program that identifies workplace risks through ergonomic assessments, engages employees with training and engagement, ergonomic improvements and controls, and ongoing review and updates. And, most importantly, improves the working environment of your employees.
ErgoWorks continues to support Minnesota employers to strengthen their ergonomic programs and reduce musculoskeletal risks through ergonomic assessments, ergonomic employee training, and onsite injury prevention services.
One of the most valuable services ErgoWorks provides is as a partner through the entire process. After ErgoWorks completes ergonomic assessments and provides solutions, employees engage with the injury prevention program with hands-on visits when ergonomic improvements are not enough. This seamless process provides your company with a partnership that guides you from simply achieving statute compliance to a safe, healthy, and productive workforce.
Ready to strengthen your ergonomics program? Schedule a Discovery Call with ErgoWorks to identify compliance gaps, improve best practices, and build a program that better protects your employees and your organization.