| Extending Careers Through Ergonomics |
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The average American welder is now in his 50s, and he’s retiring at a faster rate than his children are joining the welding trade. The aging workforce is one of the primary causes of the welder shortage and has manufacturers scrambling to find, hire and train new welders through a number of recruitment avenues. But ramping up recruitment efforts doesn’t have to be the only solution to the problem — one way to reduce the importance of finding new welders is by extending the careers of existing welders through making welding as ergonomically comfortable as possible. Locating production materials and consumables as close to the welding cell as possible and at a level that doesn’t require bending or climbing can reduce back injuries and other accidents. Using auto-darkening helmets can reduce neck problems caused by a lifetime of flipping down traditional welding helmets. Over the course of a welding career, these types of small changes can make big differences to employee health and longevity. The initial investment in equipment and products is paid back several times over in the extended career of the welder. These steps have the added benefit of reducing workers compensation claims and building employee. They can also significantly increase productivity, which will further reduce dependence on hiring new welders. Without a doubt, finding new welders to replace those entering retirement will be a necessary component in solving the welder shortage. With the educational system’s overwhelming orientation toward college preparatory education, recruiting teenagers into the field won’t be enough by itself, however. Accomplishing more with the existing workforce is one way to reduce the strain caused by the welder shortage. What has your company done to improve employee longevity? Have you or any of your co-workers developed a long-term injury as a result of your job environment? Share your story by posting a comment below. Read more from MillerWelds |
