What is a primary goal of ergonomics in the workplace?

The primary goal of ergonomics in the workplace is to adapt the work to fit the person. This involves designing workstations, tools, and tasks in a way that considers the physical capabilities and limitations of individuals. By focusing on the needs of the worker, ergonomics aims to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. The key principle is to minimize discomfort, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance productivity by ensuring that the workplace is suited to the physical characteristics and requirements of employees.

While other options, such as increasing worker output and reducing labor costs, can be beneficial outcomes of effective ergonomic design, they are secondary to the core purpose of tailoring the work environment to enhance comfort and safety for the individual. Enhancing employee communication is more related to organizational culture and collaboration rather than the physical arrangement of tasks and environments, which ergonomics primarily addresses.