The Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace

“Ergonomics” is a buzzword used in industry, deliberated in Congress, cited in reports by OSHA, and debated in academic circles. What does ergonomics really mean? For our customers, Unidex develops and manufactures ergonomic material handling products based on these principles:


Sound ergonomic practices not only protect your valuable, trained workforce, but also offer payback in terms of less time lost due to accidents and injuries, and lower medical and insurance costs. Unidex products were originally inspired by the need to protect employees at Kodak from injury.


Avoiding, minimizing, or eliminating worker handling of a product, component, or material during assembly or transport improves precision and reduces the risk of costly mistakes. Regardless of the capital investment, in the end, quality costs less. Unidex products often combine assembly, fixturing, positioning, and/or transport to help you ensure quality.


The surest way to increase profitability is to boost productivity. Today’s philosophy of “lean manufacturing” is founded on mobility and flexibility that harness productivity gains. Unidex products usually are custom-designed or adapted readily into assembly lines, work cells, and other manufacturing and production processes.

“People come in different sizes, and it is difficult to design workplaces that accommodate all of them. UNIDEX material handling systems and fixtures permit assemblers to optimize their work heights, reaches, wrist and arm angles, and their visual tasks while minimizing the amount of handling required to transfer parts.

“Working continuously is an ergonomic goal so workers can put their attention to the production of quality assemblies. UNIDEX systems assure operator comfort by permitting them to individualize assembly height, angle, reach, and visibility using easy-to-adjust controls. The fixtures are versatile, uncomplicated and easy to adapt to specific assembly needs.”

Suzanne H. Rodgers, Ph.D.

Consultant in Ergonomics & Human Factors