This task involved cutting and tying ribbons on a production basis.  About 10 employees were involved in this task, many of whom were experiencing problems with their wrists.

As part of the company's ergonomics program, I gave a 45-minute presentation to employees, including those from this work area.  One of these employees went home that night and rigged up a little stand and successfully used it to tie the ribbons with minimal hand motions.

After: A more polished device

She brought her prototype to the plant the next day to show the rather astonished plant engineer (he had been unsuccessfully trying to develop a much more complicated machine for a few years).  He fabricated more polished versions of her prototype and all the employees started using her device.  Ultimately, the wrist problems dropped and productivity rose 38%.

The inventor of the device was an ordinary employee of the sort that fill our workplaces and who can make marvelous contributions when systems are put in place to tap their creativity.  On a personal note, this is one of the major reasons why I have been attracted to the field of workplace ergonomics ─ witnessing ordinary employees come to the fore with brilliant ideas.