2022 Applied Ergonomics Conference - Ergo Cup® Competition

The internationally recognized Ergo Cup® Competition, sponsored by the Ergonomics Center of North Carolina and Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University and presented by IISE, provides an exciting opportunity for companies to highlight their successful ergonomic solutions. The general theme across all Ergo Cup® categories is innovation.

Finalists accepted to compete in the 2022 Ergo Cup® Competition will be expected to attend the live conference in Orlando and display their projects during the conference to be eligible for the five (5) Ergo Cup® Awards and the six (6) Ergo Cup Excellence Awards.

All Ergo Cup® Teams should highlight the primary judging criteria:

  1. Innovation
  2. Simplicity
  3. Cost Savings/ROI
  4. Ergonomics Risk Reduction
  5. Presentation Quality
  6. Measurable Performance Objectives (Program Improvement Initiatives Only)
  7. Sustainability (Program Improvement Initiatives Only)

The goal of this competition is to recognize and encourage the development of innovative ergonomics solutions and program initiatives in the workplace. Any organization that can demonstrate an effective ergonomics solution or education initiative within the last 24 months (October 2019 – 2021) is eligible to compete. The ergonomic solution or program preferably should have been implemented at least 1 (one) full year and actual productivity, quality, and/or safety ROI results should be presented.

Please note the following timeline:

  • Application deadline is Oct. 27, 2021.
  • Ergo Cup Finalists will be notified Dec. 7, 2021.

Ergo Cup Frequently Asked Questions

More on the Ergo Cup®

 

New this year: Virtual Showcase Excellence Award!

Finalists unable to attend the live conference are eligible to compete for a new Ergo Excellence Award called the Virtual Showcase Excellence Award.

Ergo Cup® categories

Five Ergo Cup® awards are presented annually for outstanding solutions through training, engineering and teamwork. The Ergo Cup® winners are selected by an invited panel of judges. All finalists will be presented with a plaque in recognition of their participation.

Team-driven workplace solutions

Two Ergo Cups will be offered in this category: one for organizations who conduct internal Ergo Cup competitions and another for those who do not. The criteria for the Team-driven Workplace Solutions are the same for both groups. Those organizations who submit an entry to the internal competition category will be asked to identify their project on the submission form.

At least 75 percent of the problem-solving effort is conducted by in-house individuals whose primary responsibilities involve production and maintenance. Some technical support by in-house health and safety, engineering/ergonomist staff is permitted as members of the team or as support of the team. Support from outside consultants is permitted but only company representatives are permitted on the presentation team if selected as an Ergo Cup contestant.

  • The solution is a newly created device or process.
  • The solution was created or significantly improved through study and experimentation.
  • The solution is simple and straightforward.
  • The solution provides an attractive return on investment and explains its financial success.
  • The solution significantly reduces or eliminates ergonomic risk.
  • The quality of the presentation was excellent including problem statement, clear descriptions and metrics with visuals.

Engineering/ergonomist-driven workplace solutions

Two Ergo Cups will be offered in this category: one for organizations who conduct internal Ergo Cup competitions and another for those who do not. The criteria for the Engineering/Ergonomist-Driven Workplace Solutions are the same for both groups. Those organizations who submit an entry to the internal competition category will be asked to identify their project on the submission form.

At least 75 percent of the problem-solving effort is conducted by in-house engineers and ergonomists. Some technical support from outside consultants is permitted, but most activities are conducted by in-house resources. Only company representatives are permitted on the presentation.

  • The solution is a newly created device or process.
  • The solution was created or significantly improved through study and experimentation.
  • The solution is simple and straightforward.
  • The solution provides an attractive return on investment and explains its financial success.
  • The solution significantly reduces or eliminates ergonomic risk.
  • The quality of the presentation was excellent including problem statement, clear descriptions and metrics with visuals.

Ergonomics program improvement initiatives

Must be a planned ergonomic program improvement initiative, process or management system designed to improve the effectiveness of a location's overall comprehensive ergonomics program. Examples include, but are not limited to: ergonomic training programs, incorporation of ergonomics into change management systems, ergonomics risk assessment processes, ergonomic prioritization systems, return-to-work programs, office ergonomic programs and ergonomic programs designed for mobile and/or telecommuter employees.

  • The program improvement initiative is innovative.
  • The program improvement initiative had clear measurable performance objectives, and they were met.
  • The program improvement approach is simple and straightforward.
  • The program improvement is sustainable.
  • The program improvement initiative led to significant ergonomics solutions or prevention of risk exposures in the workplace.
  • The program improvement initiative led to business gains (attractive return on investment) and/or reduction in costs.
  • The quality of the presentation was excellent including problem statement, clear descriptions, and metrics with visuals.

Ergo Excellence Awards

In addition to the Ergo Cup®, six (6) Ergo Excellence Awards are bestowed. To be eligible for the traditional five (5) Ergo Excellence Awards, finalists must attend the live conference in Orlando. However, those finalists that are unable to attend the live conference, are eligible to compete for the new Virtual Showcase Excellence Award.

The Ergo Excellence awards are chosen by ballot of all conference registrants (live and virtual attendees). The criteria for these awards are the same as for the Ergo Cup.

Please note: Conference attendees will vote online or through the AEC 2022 app for the Ergo Excellence Awards. Therefore, each registrant must register with a unique email address. If you do not provide an email address, you will not be able to vote.

Innovation
The entry represents newly created devices or processes (for workplace solutions), delivery approaches (in the case of training), or was created or significantly improved through study and experimentation.

Simplicity
The solution or training is simple and straightforward.

Cost savings
The entry provides an attractive Return on Investment (ROI) and cost savings.

Ergonomic risk reduction
The solution or education approach significantly reduces or eliminates ergonomic risk.

Presentation quality
The problem, solution and impact are clearly presented by personnel at the live conference in Orlando.

Virtual showcase
The problem, solution and impact are clearly presented in the virtual materials (i.e. description, project brochure, video, etc.) All finalists, live and virtual, are required to complete a virtual showcase.

Requirements of Finalists

If selected as a finalist, each team will be required to:

  1. Develop and submit a project brochure that summarizes your project
  2. Develop and submit a project video (no more than 3 minutes in length) that highlights your project
  3. Develop a virtual showcase, within the conference platform, that includes your project description, brochure, and video
  4. Attend the live conference, create and staff an exhibit booth in order to be eligible to compete for the Ergo Cup® and five (5) Ergo Excellence Awards
  5. All finalists, live or virtual, will be eligible for the Virtual Showcase Excellence Award

Learn how to prepare and compete in the Ergo Cup® competition: 

How to Create a Winning Ergo Cup® Booth

Presenter: Monica Matlis

During this webinar, Matlis will share her experiences on creating a winning Ergo Cup booth without breaking the budget. You will learn "must-haves" to help you communicate your story and impress on the judges and conference registrants the results you have achieved through the implementation of your project. Matlis, a multiple winner of the Ergo Cup and Excellence awards, is now a member of the Ergo Cup Judging panel. As a judge, she will also share the criteria judges look for when evaluating an Ergo Cup entry.

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