COVID-19 Information for Faculty and Staff: Find information about policies, benefits and resources related to COVID-19. Visit the Campus Blueprint for return to campus information.

Ergonomics Department Awards

Recognize a university unit or department that has independently created a safer, healthier and more efficient work environment by decreasing ergonomic risk factors and reducing or preventing employee discomfort. Nominations accepted throughout the month of March. See the complete list of 2018 Ergonomics Department Award winners.

Questions? Email MHealthy Ergonomics Awareness at mhealthyergo@umich.edu or call (734) 763-0852.

Nominate a department for an Ergonomics Department Award.

Department Awards Questions and Answers

What are the MHealthy Ergonomics Department Awards?
"Gold" level department(s) or unit(s) will receive a special plaque and a healthy foods celebration sponsored by MHealthy.

"Silver" level receive(s) a special certificate of recognition.

"Bronze" level receive(s) a special letter of appreciation (not shown).

"Gold" Level Plaque

"Silver" Level Certificate
What kind of projects will be considered for an Ergonomics Department Award?
Entries may include new equipment, equipment modifications, or work process redesigns that can document successful reduction in one or more of the following ergonomic risk factors:

Awkward Postures: Posture is the position your body is in while muscle groups are involved in physical activity. Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting or, working overhead with your hands or arms.

Forceful Exertions: Force is the amount of physical effort required to perform a task, such as heavy lifting or maintaining control of equipment or tools. The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object, body postures, the types of activity and the duration of the task.

Repetition or Sustained Postures: Doing the same motions over and over again or holding the body in one posture for long periods of time places stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the length of time postures are maintained, the speed of the movement, the number of muscles involved, and the force required.

Contact Stress: Pressing the body against a hard or sharp object can result in putting too much pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. For example, using your hand as a hammer can increase your risk of MSD (musculoskeletal disorders).

Vibration: Operating vibrating tools such as sanders, grinders, chippers, routers, drills and saws can lead to nerve damage. Special padding or anti-vibration gloves can help.

Temperature Extremes: Temperature extremes can also influence the magnitude of risk factors. As an example, the use of thick or loose-fitting gloves to keep hands warm may cause you to grip hand tools more forcefully, resulting in added stress to the wrists and hands. Similarly, a hot environment may decrease endurance and may increase the slipperiness of hand tools due to sweating.

Note: These products are typically excluded from the department award process:

Ball chairs

Small office items (keyboards, mice, etc)

Sit/stand workstations

Treadmilll Workstations

The team does support and encourage the healthier alternative: That faculty and staff move as able, at least hourly for about 3 minutes, and build other movement into their workday activities.
Who is eligible to receive a Department Ergonomics Award?

Any University of Michigan department, (excluding the ergonomics consultants’) or unit that implemented an effective ergonomic solution in the prior year is eligible for this award program. However, Award nominations will not be considered for projects previously funded by the MHealthy Ergonomics Grants program.
Who can submit nominations for an Ergonomics Hero Award?

Any university faculty or staff member can submit a nomination form.
Can I nominate a department or unit I don’t work for?

Yes.
Who are the judges?

The judging panel is comprised of the MHealthy Ergonomics Awareness Team, consisting of health and safety personnel from MHealthy, UMHHC Safety Management Services, EHS Ann Arbor, and the Environment, Health and Safety Offices in Flint and Dearborn.
What criteria will the judges use to evaluate Ergonomics Department Award nominations?
Significance of the ergonomic issue

Successful outcome of the ergonomics solution

Inclusion of the staff in the problem identification and solution development process
What will a department receive for winning an Ergonomics Department Award?
There are typically three levels of awards, similar to the Olympics’ Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The prize may vary by year, and depends upon the projects submitted.

The “Gold” level department(s) or unit(s) will receive a special plaque and a healthy foods celebration sponsored by MHealthy.

The “Silver” level receive(s) a special certificate of recognition.

The “Bronze” level receive(s) a special letter of appreciation.

Projects that do not qualify receive an explanatory email.

All award recipients will be notified by email in April, and they will also be recognized in the university community and on the MHealthy web site.
How do I submit a nomination for a Ergonomics Department Award?

The nomination form is online year round to accept nominations, and they are reviewed once per year in April.

Submit a Ergonomics Department Award nomination.
What are examples of past winners?
2016-2017 Grants and Awards Program Winners

2015-2016 Grants and Award Program Winners

2014-2015 Grants and Award Program Winners

2013-2014 Grants and Award Programs Winners

2012/2013 Grants and Award Programs

2011/2012 Grants and Award Programs

2010/2011 Grants and Award Programs

2009/2010 Grants and Award Programs

2008 Grants and Award Programs

2007 Grants and Award Programs

2006 Grants and Award Programs

Ergonomics Award Winners

2013-2014 Grants and Award Programs

2012-2013 Grants and Award Programs

Plaques for Outstanding Contribution:

Ann Arbor – Plant Hospital Maintenance HVAC Shop

Certificate of Recognition:

UMHHC – Canton Health Center Internal Medicine

Ann Arbor – ITS Teaching Learning

Ann Arbor – Microbiology Immunology

Letter of Commendation:

UMHHC – Home Med. Infusion

2011-2012 Grants and Award Programs

Gold Level winners:

UMHHC, Radiology

School of Public Health, Health Behavior Health

Silver Level winners:

UMHHC, Turner Geriatrics Silver Club programs

Bronze Level winners:

UMHHC, Pathology MLabs

School of Social Work

2010-2011 Grants and Award Programs

Plaques for Outstanding Contribution

UMHHC Vascular Access Services Team

LS&A Facilities

UMHHC Gifts of Art

UMHHC Laundry

Certificate of Recognition

UMHHC SWAT

2009-2010 Grants and Award Programs

Plaques

Mott Hospital Operating Rooms

Internal Medicine Dept. Clinical Operations, Medical Procedures Unit

The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR)

The School of Information

The School of Social Work

Certificates

Facilities and Operations, UM Flint

Vascular Access Team, University of Michigan Health System

Materiel Services, University of Michigan Health System

The Medical Procedures Unit, University of Michigan Health System

Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC IT)

Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan Health System

Letter of Commendation

Department of Pathology

2008 - 2009 Effective Ergonomics Solutions Awards Winners

Computing Services, Ross School of Business

Michigan Sea Grant, SNRE

2007 - 2008 Effective Ergonomics Solutions Awards Winners

Campus Mail Services

Campus Maintenance

Department of Psychology

U-M Hospitals and Health Centers Security

U-M Hospitals and Health Centers 6B Nursing

Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine

2006 - 2007 Effective Ergonomics Solutions Awards Winners

UMHS: Pathology and Hematology

Campus: Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM)

UMHS: Patient Food and Nutrition Services

Ann Arbor Campus: Digital Media Commons

Ann Arbor Campus: Office of the Plant Director-Plant Payroll and Accounts Payable Office

UMHS: Security and Entrance Services

Ann Arbor Campus: Managed Care/Student Insurance Department/University Health Service

Ergonomics Department Awards

Department Awards Questions and Answers

Note: These products are typically excluded from the department award process:

Ergonomics Award Winners

Plaques for Outstanding Contribution:

Certificate of Recognition:

Letter of Commendation:

Gold Level winners:

Silver Level winners:

Bronze Level winners:

Plaques for Outstanding Contribution

Certificate of Recognition

Plaques

Certificates

Letter of Commendation

MHealthy

Nominate a Department for an Ergonomics Department Award

Nominate a Colleague for an Ergonomics Hero Award

Ergonomics Self Help

Apply for an Ergonomics Grant

Stay informed with UHR News