CONWAY, AR—Electronics manufacturer Snap-on Equipment has gone more than five years without a lost-time accident at its assembly plant here.

Workplace ergonomics is getting a lot of attention nationwide in response to a sharp increase in incidents of repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. For the affected employee, such injuries often mean repeated surgery, intractable pain and the inability to work. For the employer, ultimately, they mean higher costs.

Parts bins have been synonymous with assembly lines ever since the mass-production process was pioneered by Ford Motor Co. engineers 100 years ago.

Based in Somerset, KY, Toyotetsu America (TTA) is an automotive stamping division of Toyota. TTA operates several plants, including one in Sincoe, ON, since 2007. There, workers stamp metal frame parts for cars such as the RAV4, Corol-la and Lexus.