National Ergonomics Month 2027

What is National Ergonomics Month?

National Ergonomics Month is held every October and is promoted by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). It raises awareness of ergonomics, the practice of designing tasks, tools and workplaces to fit the people who use them.

Why it matters for workplaces

Repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward postures and poorly designed workstations contribute to musculoskeletal disorders such as back injuries and tendonitis. These injuries often build up over time and can be prevented with better design rather than relying on people to work around a poor setup.

Ways to take part

1. Ask workers what hurts. They know which tasks cause the most strain.
2. Fix one task. Pick a high-strain job and redesign it with lift assists, better heights or rotation.
3. Review workstations. Check desk, screen and chair setups as well as production line heights.
4. Use the hierarchy of controls. Favor design changes over training alone, following the hierarchy of controls.
5. Report early symptoms. Encourage people to speak up about discomfort before it becomes an injury.

Frequently Asked Questions: National Ergonomics Month

When is National Ergonomics Month?

It runs for the whole month of October every year.

Does OSHA have an ergonomics standard?

No. OSHA does not have a specific ergonomics standard, but it can cite serious ergonomic hazards under the General Duty Clause and publishes guidance for several industries.