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This is a Literature Review study (also classified as: Observational).

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September 5, 2025Open Access

A Practical Framework for Integrating Advances in Ergonomics to Improve Productivity in South African Small and Medium Enterprises

Key Points

The framework enhances productivity by integrating ergonomics into small and medium enterprises.
Key tools include an ergonomics intervention checklist and alignment with ISO standards.
It emphasizes participatory design and the use of wearable technologies for assessment.
Scalable strategies target adoption barriers, making it cost-effective for resource-constrained SMEs.

Abstract

This study provides a practical framework for integrating advances in ergonomics into South African small and medium enterprises to enhance productivity. Informed by a comprehensive literature review and insights from the 2025 Applied Ergonomics Conference, the proposed three-phase framework comprises an ergonomics intervention trigger checklist and related productivity metrics; an integration matrix aligned with ISO 45001:2018 and ISO TR 12295:2014; and strategies to overcome adoption barriers. The framework incorporates participatory design, simplified assessment tools, and interventions such as wearable technologies. By addressing a gap in the research, this study offers a scalable, cost-effective framework that is tailored to the resource-constrained small and medium enterprises’ environment.

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