On the first day of industrial ergonomics, my favorite safety crew gave to me….the future of injury prevention!
Welcome to DORN’s 12 Days of Ergonomics! We’re kicking off the holiday season and celebrating a year of achievement in improving safety outcomes for workers everywhere with a new blog series diving into some of today’s most important safety topics.
The best part? Every day, we’ll be giving away a special holiday gift card. To enter, simply share this blog post on any social media platform and tag the DORN Companies account to register your entry. You’ll find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok - just share the link from your account and tag us for your chance to win every day! Plus, you can earn additional entries by sharing posts on multiple platforms and tagging your friends in the safety world.
Winners will be selected and announced daily, so check back from December 3 - 18 for new posts and more chances to win.
Today’s prize: a $15 Amazon Gift Card!
We’re kicking off the 12 Days of Ergonomics with a look ahead at the key trends for injury prevention in 2026.
The Future of Injury Prevention and Ergonomics
As we prepare for a new year of improving safety outcomes for workers everywhere, there are a few key ideas leading the way that safety professionals should make sure to include in their plans.
- Shifting from reactive to proactive safety: Gone are the days when responding to safety incidents after the fact is sufficient for an effective injury prevention program. In 2026 and beyond, the best programs will start with holistic frameworks that treat safety as a strategic business imperative, one that’s essential for the successful operations and healthy bottom line of any employer.
- Emotional ergonomics & mental health: Part of that holistic approach is addressing factors like mental health and wellness as part of your worker safety program. Today’s employees face a diverse array of pressures and risk factors that go beyond the hazards defined by traditional injury prevention programs. The most successful safety plans will include significant investments in worker mental health support, which can include providing access to counseling resources, improving the workplace culture around transparency and accountability, and helping employees avoid burnout.
- Technology continues to advance: In 2025, the entire economy experienced an unprecedented shift toward machine learning and AI technologies. The safety world is no exception, and safety professionals will need to learn how they can leverage AI as a tool for augmenting existing safety protocols, particularly as a predictive tool and a way of analyzing data to better understand risk factors, define specific needs at the individual employee level, and develop effective interventions.
- Want to dive deeper into what’s next for ergonomics and safety? Watch this video from our recent webinar to learn about the biggest 2026 trends in ergonomics and injury prevention, featuring expert insights from the DORN safety team.
Thank you for joining us for the 12 Days of Industrial Ergonomics! Remember to share this post on social media to be entered to win today’s prize: a $15 Amazon gift card!
