PRE-CONFERENCE Workshops

Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your skills and boost your learning by participating in a pre-conference workshop. Learn from experienced practitioners who will address your concerns about ergonomics. They are open to all registered in-person conference attendees and require a separate fee.

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Monday, March 9

BCPE Ergonomics Certification

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Presenter: Robert J. Smillie, President, Foundation for Professional Ergonomics

Part 1: Review of Requirements 
Overview/Abstract: Participants will learn what certification means and what are the basic steps to become certified. To become certified, participants will learn about the core competencies and of what topics they will need to have some knowledge and understanding.

Learning Objectives: Participants will become familiar with the core competencies required for certification and work with instructors and peers to review their relevant coursework and work products, which will yield a gap analysis of their intended certification application materials. 

Part 2: Preparing for BCPE Exam
Overview/Abstract: Participants will review the BCPE Core Competencies, of which the exam is based. They will learn what percentage of questions go with each competency, what the sub competencies are, and what knowledge and skill are considered critical for each competency. Participants will review all the major subject areas and get an understanding of which areas they will need to address before sitting for the exam. Overall subject reviews of key competency areas will be provided.

Learning Objectives: The outcome of the course is that participants will have developed their own specific study plan that they can use to prepare for the exam.

Building a Sustainable Ergonomics Program: From Hire to Retire

8 a.m. – Noon
Presenters: James Rethaber, Vice President – Technical Operations and Dave Meyer, Regional Director, Fit For Work

This 4-hour, highly interactive workshop will provide course participants with the knowledge and tools to design, implement, and sustain an effective ergonomics program within their organizations from hire to retire. Participants will explore the essential building blocks of a successful program, including:

  1. Components of highly effective ergonomics programs
  2. Program vision/Aligning with organization metrics
  3. Employee engagement
  4. Leadership support

Through interactive presentation/lecture, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises, attendees will gain strategies to integrate ergonomics into existing safety systems, demonstrate return on investment, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a framework and action plan to build and sustain an ergonomics program that optimizes organizational systems, reduces risk, improves productivity, and supports worker well-being.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define the key elements of a sustainable ergonomics program and explain their importance in reducing risk and supporting worker well-being.
  • Identify and prioritize ergonomic risk factors in the workplace using practical assessment tools and methods.
  • Develop strategies to engage employees, supervisors, and leadership in ergonomics initiatives to foster program ownership and accountability.
  • Demonstrate how to align ergonomics improvements with organizational goals to build a strong business case and show return on investment (ROI).
  • Design a draft action plan or framework for implementing and sustaining an ergonomics program tailored to their organization's needs.

Effective Influencing for Ergonomics Program Success

8 a.m. – Noon
Presenters: Rick Barker, Senior Director & Head of Product and Rachel Zoky, Senior Strategic Consultant, VelocityEHS

Technical expertise alone is not enough to drive meaningful ergonomics, limited budgets competing against other priorities, and the constant need to win user buy-in, success depends on the ability to influence effectively at all levels of an organization. This interactive half-day workshop will equip participants with practical influencing strategies to overcome these real-world challenges. Through role-playing scenarios, participants will address common challenges, such as: engaging executives to secure resources, persuading managers to support changes, and motivating employees to try new approaches. Attendees will leave with tools and confidence to navigate resistance and inspire lasting commitment to ergonomics improvements.

Learning Objectives:

  • Knowledge: Identify key influencing principles and strategies that address the unique challenges of ergonomics programs, including lack of mandated standards, limited budgets, and the need for employee participation.
  • Understanding: Explain how to adapt influencing techniques for 360-degree impact – effectively engaging executives, managers, and frontline employees to support ergonomics initiatives.
  • Application: Demonstrate practical influencing approaches through role-playing scenarios, such as securing budget approval, persuading leadership to prioritize ergonomics, and gaining employee buy-in for trials of new tools or methods.
  • Evaluation: Assess and adjust influencing strategies to maximize support for ergonomics interventions, even in resource-constrained and regulation-light environments.

AI Use in Ergonomics Programs

1 – 5 p.m.
Presenter: Kaysey Aguilar, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University
Artificial Intelligence (AI) keeps appearing in headlines, but do you really know what AI encompasses or how it can improve ergonomics? Through this interactive workshop, participants will understand the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in their field. Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, attendees will understand the following:

  1. The different types of AI and their applications to ergonomics.
  2. A foundational understanding of key AI applications (like machine learning or predictive analysis) and how they apply to ergonomics.
  3. How AI tools can enhance hazard detection, predict workplace risks, and support data-driven decision-making for ergonomics.
  4. Ethical considerations and data privacy.
  5. How to explain AI to others and seek buy-in.
  6. Practical steps for evaluating and implementing AI solutions.

Whether participants are curious about AI or are ready to integrate it, this workshop will equip them with knowledge and confidence to apply AI technology for real-world impacts in ergonomics.

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