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 IIE, provides an exciting opportunity for companies to highlight their successful ergonomic solutions. The general theme across all Ergo Cup® categories is innovation.
View the 2013 Ergo Cup Teams
Ergo Cup® Categories
Four Ergo Cup® awards are presented annually for outstanding solutions through training, engineering and teamwork.
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
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 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.
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 disability costs.
- The quality of the presentation was excellent including problem statement, clear descriptions, and metrics with visuals.
Ergo Cup® Award Evaluation Criteria
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).
Ergonomic risk
The solution or education approach significantly reduces or eliminates ergonomic risk.
Presentation quality
The problem, solution and impact are clear.
The Ergo Cup winners are selected by an invited panel of judges. Each team will be presented with a plaque in recognition of their participation.
Ergo Excellence Awards
In addition to the Ergo Cup®, five Ergo Excellence awards are bestowed. The Ergo Excellence awards are chosen by ballot of all conference attendees. The criteria for these awards are the same as for the Ergo Cup.
Learn how to prepare and compete in the Ergo Cup® competition:
Presenters: Lisa Brooks, General Electric Co.; José Banaag, Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.; Richard D. Pagnotta, PPG Industries Inc.
This seminar will provide the opportunity for participants to learn from the experiences of three companies who have collectively been conducting internal Ergo Cup® competitions for nearly 20 years. GE, PPG Industries and Honda of America have all been holding and making incremental improvements to their company's Ergo Cup® programs for several years. They will discuss the current design of their programs and share how their Ergo Cup® programs have evolved over the years. The resources, materials, timing/scheduling, incentives, and the costs of conducting an internal Ergo Cup® program will all be discussed. Additionally, each company will share the benefits, both intended and unintended, that they have experienced as a result of their Ergo Cup® programs.
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 attendees 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.
This webinar, facilitated by the Ergo Cup co-chairs, will provide valuable tips for enhancing your online application thereby improving the competitiveness of your Ergo Cup entry. As a result of attending this webinar, you will learn:
- Which category your entry would best fit; Team-Driven Workplace Solutions, Engineering Driven Workplace solutions or Ergonomic Program Initiatives.
- The importance of Innovation in your submission.
- Tips when completing the Problem Description, Solution or Initiative and Outcomes.
- The importance of ROI in your submission.
- The Ergo Cup judging categories.
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