Fit For Work

10/20/2026

Is unsafe behavior usually caused by carelessness?

According to Fit For Work Area Manager, Kevin Montgomery, not necessarily. Kevin recalls observing two employees performing the same task in the same unsafe manner. At first glance, the behavior looked identical. However, the reasons behind it were very different.

One employee was working around faulty equipment. The other had simply been trained to do the task that way. The behavior was the same. The causes were not.

✅ What Employers Can Do: Before assuming someone wasn't following the rules, ask questions such as, "Tell me about your job and why you do it that way?" or "If you could change one thing about the job, what would it be?" These conversations often reveal issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

10/16/2026

Why do employees wait to report discomfort?

Jason Heinold, Fit For Work Injury Prevention Specialist, thinks delayed reporting is often less about ignoring symptoms and more about how discomfort develops over time.

Many employees don't report discomfort right away because it doesn't seem like a big deal at first. By the time symptoms persist or start getting worse, they may worry they waited too long to say something, don't want to appear weak, or fear the impact reporting could have on their job or income.

✅ What Employers Can Do: Pay attention to unexpected changes in productivity, work habits, or attendance. These can be early signs that an employee may be experiencing discomfort or fatigue but hasn't spoken up yet.

10/15/2026

We're excited to share that Fit For Work Staff Ergonomist, Ashley Mayo, will be presenting at the ASPIRE HFES 70th International Annual Meeting.

Her poster presentation, Beyond the Artificial Intelligence Risk Score: A Clinical Reasoning Framework for Inclusive Industrial Design, highlights the role of clinical reasoning in supporting more inclusive design decisions.

If you're attending ASPIRE, be sure to stop by her poster session on Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. PDT.

Learn more: https://okt.to/50TwZ3

10/13/2026

Why do employees take shortcuts that increase ergonomic risk?

We often assume shortcuts are the result of carelessness or poor decision-making. In reality, the reasons are usually more complex.

According to Stephanie Carroll, Fit For Work Ergonomics & Injury Prevention Specialist, shortcuts are commonly driven by production pressures, training gaps, physical limitations, or processes that make the shortcut seem easier than the recommended approach.

Employees may work around difficult tools, avoid equipment that slows them down, or develop habits based on what they've seen others do. In many cases, the shortcut makes sense from the employee's perspective, even if it increases ergonomic risk.

✅ What Employers Can Do: Observe how work is actually being performed. If you observe a shortcut, ask employees why they're not using the recommended method. Understanding the reason behind a shortcut is often the first step toward preventing it.

10/09/2026

In our Human Side of Ergonomics series, we're exploring a common question: What's the biggest misconception about ergonomics?

According to Rupert Edwards, Fit For Work Ergonomics Specialist, one of the biggest misconceptions is that ergonomics is simply about comfort or a workplace luxury.

At its core, ergonomics is about designing work to fit people rather than forcing people to adapt to poorly designed work. When people can perform their jobs safely, effectively, and consistently, organizations are better positioned to improve productivity, quality, and overall performance.

✅ What Employers Can Do: The greatest value of ergonomics comes from prevention. Regularly evaluating jobs and tasks can help identify risks before they impact safety, productivity, or costs.

10/07/2026

A shortcut is often treated as a behavior problem. In reality, it may be one of the clearest signals that the work process and real-world conditions are not aligned.

As part of National Ergonomics Month, Fit For Work Director of Ergonomics, Lauren Brizendine, explores why employees take shortcuts and what organizations can do to make safe work the easy choice.

Read the blog: https://okt.to/9J4oIj

Employees don't take shortcuts because they don't care. Learn how ergonomics helps remove barriers and make safe work the easiest choice.

10/02/2026

October is National Ergonomics Month.

When people think about ergonomics, they often think about workstations, lifting techniques, or equipment. However, ergonomics is also about understanding how people interact with work and why they make the decisions they do.

That's why our theme this month is The Human Side of Ergonomics. Injury prevention isn't only about responding when someone gets hurt. It's about understanding the conditions, behaviors, and workplace realities that contribute to risk in the first place.

Throughout October, our ergonomics team will explore topics such as workplace habits, shortcuts, and the human factors that influence safety and performance.

Fit For Work Director of Ergonomics, Lauren Brizendine, kicks off the series next week as she examines a common question many organizations face: Why do employees take shortcuts?

Stay tuned.

10/01/2026

With OSHA continuing to focus on enforcement, now is a good time to evaluate where your organization may need additional attention before year-end.

In this new blog, Fit For Work Director of Safety, Forrest Richardson, highlights several enforcement priorities that safety leaders should have on their radar, including:

• Hazard Communication updates and the November 20, 2026 deadline
• Heat illness prevention efforts
• Warehousing, distribution, and occupational noise programs

Bonus: We've also included a scorecard and inspection readiness checklist to help teams assess their OSHA readiness.

Read the article and download the resources: https://okt.to/JRGBvO

Review OSHA's top 2026 compliance priorities, including Hazard Communication, heat illness prevention, and inspection readiness.

09/22/2026

Today marks the first day of fall, making it a great time to revisit workplace safety considerations that come with the changing season.

Fall can usher in conditions that impact workplace safety, from slippery walking surfaces to reduced visibility and seasonal driving hazards.

We've highlighted a few safety checks below, but they're only part of the picture. Check out our blog for the complete list of workplace safety tips to help your organization prepare for fall and the colder months ahead: https://okt.to/WFYPzf

What would you add to your fall safety checklist?

09/18/2026

Concussions can affect anyone, whether on the field, at home, or in the workplace. Recognizing symptoms, supporting recovery, and raising awareness on National Concussion Awareness Day can all make an impact.

Learn more about concussion symptoms and prevention through the CDC: https://okt.to/nWJAft.

For a workplace-focused perspective, explore our blog on return-to-work considerations following a concussion: https://okt.to/kYtJ3w

Learn how to support employees recovering from workplace concussions with early intervention, accommodations, and return-to-work planning.