We meet Marco Bordignon, the Technical Area Manager and Partner of ErgoCert, an accredited body for Ergonomic Product Certification. The purpose of this interview is to take stock of the state-of-art of ergonomics not only as an essential element for health and safety at the workplace but also as a fundamental instrument of a path of growth and profitability for companies that believe in and invest in ergonomics for the design and construction of laundry machines.
How many manufacturing companies from the textile care market have certified products?
“Today, there are 5 companies in your sector that have ergonomically certified products, accounting for about 10% of our certificates, which correspond to an overall of 1.048. When it comes to professional products, the laundry sector is the most ErgoCert-certified sector (washing machines, dryers, ironing machines, feeding machines, conveyor belts, etc)”.
Let’s touch a sensitive topic now, how much is an ergonomic machine actually worth?
“It depends on the machine and the adjustments that needs to be done to adapt it ergonomically if not designed like this from the outset, as required by the regulations. The cost increase for a modified machine ranges from 10% to 20% on average, compared to a non-ergonomic machine. Adjustments in dimensions, machine assets that are ergonomically compatible, preliminary dimensional studies, and usability studies, etc., all play a role. We proceed with a broad cost analysis. Some reliable and known data indicate that an occupational illness costs between 30.000 and 70.000 euros in direct costs, while indirect costs can be multiplied by three to five times. Of course, the variability also depends on the competence, role, and professionalism of the workers, which is reflected in their wage. Therefore, the ergonomic ROI (Return on Investment) of machinery is not difficult to calculate, but not all operators are prepared to do so”.
Is occupational illness so impactful in industrial laundry?
“As highlighted by INAL (Italian Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work) in a 
recent publication regarding the impact of occupational disease in industrial laundries: it is expected that around 20% of the workforce may experience musculoskeletal problems in the upper limbs, in addition to problems with the lumbar and cervical spine. This is also confirmed by our daily experience on the field: to date, we have assessed around twenty industrial laundries, and the risk indices are always quite high. The dynamics are as follows: the tasks in laundry expose the workforce to biomechanical risks and problems to both the upper limbs and the spine. Workers who experience discomfort or predisposing events to pathology, often represent up 2/3 of the workforce”.
Why do manufacturers struggle to evolve with machines that feature ergonomic solutions?
“Ergonomics should be inherent in the design of the machines; various ergonomic standards are harmonized with European directives. But I will tell you more: should be the customers to require regulatory compliance for the machines they purchase”.
Which kind of feedback do you receive from the market?
“The market is moving in a stop and go trend. On the supplier/ manufacturer side, companies are more mature, understanding that ergonomics has both direct and indirect positive returns. The market is attentive but not mature yet. The uncertain economic situation of the past year, with conflicts raging in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, is not encouraging the development of the ergonomic design of machines because the first element to be considered is the cost factor that is still representing a barrier.
The other discouraging element for manufacturers to invest in ergonomics is the fact that, if the company operates commercially on a global level, there are objectively some countries that are not yet receptive to ergonomics, as they are still very far from a certain level of awareness and maturity, both culturally and regulatory”.
Which are the most attentive and sensitive markets?
“The Scandinavian and Northern European markets, in general, are more sensitive, but we also note the introduction of ergonomic requirements in France for some tenders. Regarding the professional products, we are witnessing the gradual elimination of the operations previously performed by humans; some of them can be easily eliminated, while others are indispensable because they require human presence. The industrial laundry market is generally attentive and sensitive, as workers who complain of repetitive work and experience fatigue and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system are constantly observed by the company managers. Biomechanical overload is a vulnerable part for the laundry workers”.
Are there any fields with something new and noteworthy on the horizon?
“In sectors like the self-service and Coin-up laundry, there is a new trend on accessibility. For example, from June 2025, making a product with an ICT (information and communications technology) component, and therefore with accessible graphics, will no 
longer be optional, but mandatory. Additionally, in the case of Coin-up laundries, where the physical component is still significant, recent studies have been carried out on consumer accessibility, particularly regarding the loading and unloading of the washing machines and tumble dryers by disabled people in wheelchairs, visually impaired persons, and, more generally, those who are vulnerable and/or elderly, to facilitate their access to these operations in laundries. These studies, conducted by us at ErgoCert and in the Scandinavian countries, which are highly attentive to these particular needs, highlight that due to sustainability reasons, not everyone in these countries has a washing machine at home, leading to an increased number of self-service and/or shared laundries.
Furthermore, ErgoCert has also conducted tests on ironing machines in industrial laundries (particularly in France) operated by disabled workers (due to compulsory employment laws) for tasks compatible with their psychophysical conditions. There are disabilities that allow workers to load and unload laundry. On one hand, these individuals are physically able-bodied, but on the other hand, they face cognitive difficulties. This is a complex issue, as people with these disabilities are not able to load washing and/ or ironing programs. The goal is to simplify the program interface, although upgrading the product for these individuals with such challenges is a complex operation”.
Can ergonomics also bring an added value in terms of organizational efficiency?
“Returning to industrial laundry, we carried out a study that highlights the level of movement economy associated with a traditional feeding machine to one designed according to ergonomic criteria. In the case of the traditional feeder, with the help of our sensors, we traced a series of hand movements (the distance travelled by the operators’ hand) measured in meters per second. Then we compared these results with the ones of new-generation ergonomic feeder: the conclusion (in favour of the latter) is that the hand travels fewer kilometres, leading to greater production efficiency. Working better also means working less.” •
ERGOCERT – Ente di Certificazione per l’Ergonomia srl
ERGOCERT – Ergonomics Certifying Institute Ltd
Via Pradamano 4 – 33100 Udine, Italy
Tel: +39 0432 229688
email: info@ergocert.it www.ergocert.net
by Marzio Nava
DETERGO Magazine # November 2024
