Ergonomic deficiencies: I. Pain at work.

This is Part I of a three-part series that examines various aspects of ergonomic deficiencies at work. This paper deals with pain at work and the association between such pain or discomfort and a poorly designed workplace or poorly structured job. Neglect of ergonomic principles brings inefficiency and pain to the workplace. An ergonomically deficient workplace may not cause immediate pain, because the human body has a great capacity for adapting to a poorly designed workplace or structured job. However, in time, the compounding effect of job and/or workplace deficiencies will surpass the body's coping mechanisms, causing the inevitable: physical symptoms, emotional stress, low productivity, and poor quality of work.