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ERGO-ROI Calculator

The ERGO-ROI (Ergonomics Return on Investment) Calculator was developed as a free tool to help practitioners estimate the potential benefits of ergonomics interventions before implementation.

What is the ERGO-ROI (Ergonomics Return on Investment) Calculator?

Justifying the cost of ergonomics solutions in the workplace can be a difficult task. To address this challenge, the ERGO-ROI Calculator was developed as a free tool to help practitioners better estimate the potential benefits of ergonomics interventions before implementation. By referencing Ontario’s WSIB lost-time claim statistics, the calculator provides evidence-based estimates that support informed decision-making and stronger business cases for ergonomics investments.

What the Calculator Does

  • Allows you to compare up to three intervention options side by side
  • Provides estimated benefits and payback periods for each option in Canadian dollars (CAD)
  • Helps you identify solutions that deliver a return on investment (ROI)

Intended Use

This tool is designed for organizations that meet the following conditions:

  • Ontario organization registered with WSIB for workers’ compensation claims
  • Organization has an active ergonomics/MSD prevention program and understands intervention implementation and financial implications
  • Implementing ergonomics solutions to address specific problems (e.g., back and shoulder risks associated with lifting)
  • Evaluating multiple options before making a decision
  • Expecting a payback period of less than one year (most ergonomics solutions achieve payback within this timeframe)

 

Enter Your Organization's Information into the Calculator:

For support, please contact info@msdprevention.com

Results from the ERGO-ROI Calculator

The reported results from the ERGO-ROI (Ergonomics Return on Investment) calculator are based on inputs provided by the user. More information on intended use, how the calculator functions, and the assumptions built into the calculator can be referenced on the ERGO-ROI Calculator webpage

(per hour)
This Past Year
Type of MSD Injury Number of MSD Injuries Typical costs
Back (including spine, spinal cord, neck)
-
Lower extremities
-
Trunk (excluding back)
-
Upper extremities
-
Other (multiple body parts)
-
Total Cost for year: $0.00
The Year Before
Type of MSD Injury Number of MSD Injuries Typical costs
Back (including spine, spinal cord, neck)
-
Lower extremities
-
Trunk (excluding back)
-
Upper extremities
-
Other (multiple body parts)
-
Total Cost for year: $0.00
Two Years Before
Type of MSD Injury Number of MSD Injuries Typical costs
Back (including spine, spinal cord, neck)
-
Lower extremities
-
Trunk (excluding back)
-
Upper extremities
-
Other (multiple body parts)
-
Total Cost for year: $0.00

Solutions

Solution 1
Total cost of intervention:
Effectiveness of solution
Productivity Improvements
Other estimated savings
Solution 2
Total cost of intervention:
Effectiveness of solution
Productivity Improvements
Other estimated savings
Solution 3
Total cost of intervention:
Effectiveness of solution
Productivity Improvements
Other estimated savings

Additional Information and Resources

Calculator Development 

The ERGO-ROI calculator was adapted from the Washington State Ergonomics Cost-Benefit Calculator, originally created by Rick Goggins through the Puget Sound Chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (PSHFES) and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries in 2015. The calculator is based on a review of 250 case studies where organizations reported the outcomes of ergonomics programs and individual solutions. This evidence-based approach ensures that the estimates are grounded in real-world results. 

Our version incorporates Ontario-specific data (WSIB statistics) to ensure relevance for local organizations. 

Calculator Assumptions

Additional details regarding the intended use and the underlying assumptions of the calculator are outlined in the Calculator Assumptions document.

Previous Version of the Calculator

The previous version of the ERGO-ROI Calculator (called the Ontario Ergonomics Cost-Benefit Calculator) is available as a spreadsheet to download. Please see the calculator instructions for using the spreadsheet. This version of the spreadsheet is no longer maintained. Please use the online version on this webpage for the most up to date injury data.