Increasing corporate and government spending: Can ergonomics help?

The spending on health is constantly growing, based on the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. For example, health insurance spending in 2011 increased by 21, 4 % compared to 2007. According to professional websites about health care in the Czech Republic, since 2005 spending per capita on health has almost tripled. One of the reasons for increased spending mentioned above are the work conditions which are not always well defined and the worker´s health which is influenced by these work conditions as well. Because of poor working conditions, occupational diseases and workplace accidents could occur at increased rates.

The purpose of this article is to identify the consequences of inappropriate working conditions. The consequences are easily defined in two areas. The first area is work efficiency and worker´s health (occupational diseases, workplace accidents etc.). The second area is economic impact. The emergence of workplace accidents and the evolution and consecutive recognition of occupational diseases are a large financial burden – for the employer and for the state budget as well. The article involves delineating which cost groups are the most affected in the company environment and how these unsuitable conditions and their consequences can influence government spending.

The article also shows how to prevent and eliminate improper conditions. We can use the science called ergonomics, which is focused on the effect of the working environment on people's efficiency and their health. It defines many areas what are necessary to examine. Is there any solution through ergonomics? Are we able to eliminate costs by implementation of ergonomic rules?