On some assembly lines, today's MVP is a robotic tool that was originally developed for use on the battlefield. It's called an exoskeleton. The wearable device enables operators to perform a variety of overhead tasks. It minimizes physical strain and boosts efficiency.

NEW YORK—Approximately 3.7 million workers are injured at work each year, costing businesses $170 billion annually. Injuries caused during material handling represent the majority of incidents, accounting for 32 percent of insurance claims.

WASHINGTON—Workplace injuries and accidents that cause employees to miss six or more days of work cost U.S. employers nearly $62 billion in 2013, according to the 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.

ANN ARBOR, MI—The return-on-investment of a site ergonomics program can exceed three times the investment, according to a new study from consulting firm Humantech Inc.

ANN ARBOR, MI—Humantech is conducting a survey on the use of computer technology for managing ergonomics programs. This online, confidential survey consists of 16 questions and is open to any company with an established ergonomics program.

DEARBORN, MI—Engineers at Ford Motor Co. have created virtual representations of employees— called “avatars”—to assess whether articulating arms and other ergonomic aids could help with assembly.

Assemblers in many different industries depend on all sorts of pneumatic, DC electric and battery powered tools for a wide variety of fastening applications. Unfortunately, the devices are also the source of countless ergonomic headaches for manufacturing engineers.

SOLINGEN, German—Item Industrietechnik GmbH has become the first supplier of industrial workbenches to be awarded the “certified and recommended” seal of approval by the independent Campaign for Healthy Backs.