Case Study: First Solar achieves 20% ergonomic risk reduction and integrates ergonomics into equipment design with VelocityEHS Industrial Ergonomics

VelocityEHS Industrial Ergonomics: Uniting Engineers and EHS Team Members at First Solar

First Solar, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, is a leading provider of eco-efficient photovoltaic solutions committed to both environmental stewardship and employee wellbeing. Historically reactive on ergonomics, the company set a three-year goal to move to a proactive ergonomics program: complete job assessments across sites (2016), reduce musculoskeletal risk by 20% (2017), and integrate ergonomics into equipment design for the new Series 6 line (2019).

To meet that goal, First Solar rolled out VelocityEHS Industrial Ergonomics training in 2016, formed cross-functional ergonomics teams (engineering, EHS, and supervisors), and established a design-review process requiring job mock-ups and risk assessments before fabrication. The approach empowered staff, improved collaboration, helped First Solar achieve its 2017 risk-reduction target, and ensured ergonomics criteria were integrated during the Series 6 retooling, with further rollouts planned for Vietnam.

First Solar

Michele Youngdale

Manager