A growing number of employees prioritize supportive work environments equipped with the right tools for safe performance. Category 5 of the Baldrige Excellence Framework® highlights this trend, revealing a shift in employee preferences that, combined with Iowa’s population demographics, presents both challenges and opportunities for companies. To attract and retain employees, especially those beyond the traditional retirement age, companies must meet their evolving needs. CIRAS is at the forefront of helping companies address these challenges with innovative solutions.
CIRAS offers insights into how innovative technologies can be tailored to meet your company’s needs. Two key approaches include the following:
Ergonomic Tools—CIRAS helps companies evaluate and pilot equipment designed to reduce physical strain and enhance workplace safety. Tools like exoskeletons are customized to meet specific worker needs, allowing them to perform tasks with greater ease and comfort.
Wearable Sensors—These sensors gather data to help companies proactively identify potential hazards and variations in employee physicality. This insight promotes a safer workplace, encourages best practices, and guides the selection of ergonomic tools to reduce task-related physical strain.
These technologies not only help reduce costs but also enhance employees’ work lives. For instance, an employee experiencing shoulder pain from repetitive hammering received feedback from a wearable sensor. The sensor data showed how they could adjust their technique to reduce stress on the shoulder, demonstrating that they didn’t need to hit harder, just more efficiently.
By investing in these innovative solutions, Iowa companies can create a supportive work environment that encourages employee retention and satisfaction, driving long-term company success.
For more information, contact Ty Hill at tyhill@iastate.edu or 515-357-4379.