ARCHIWUM INŻYNIERII PRODUKCJI 398 PRODUCTION ENGINEERING ARCHIVES 2022, 28(4), 398-406 PRODUCTION ENGINEERING ARCHIVES ISSN 2353-5156 (print) ISSN 2353-7779 (online) Exist since 4 th quarter 2013 Available online at https://pea-journal.eu Ergonomics vs economics in the construction logistics: a case study from the “Hexagon Construction” company in Poland Ronald Kwadzayi Matiringe 1, * , Grażyna Płaza 1 1 Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Organization and Management, Poland; grazyna.plaza@polsl.pl (GP) *Correspondence: ronmartiringe@gmail.com Tel.: + 48 322777305/ +48 505686640 Article history Received 31.05.2022 Accepted 03.10.2022 Available online 26.10.2022 Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between the aspects of ergonomics and eco- nomics in the construction industry. Ergonomic cost calculation mainly as a result of down time due to accidents and incidents was evaluated. The impact of ergonomics intervention on construction eco- nomic in the logistics network was also determined. This impact was simulated using an annual total of accidents for the year 2021. Organizations, particularly businesses, must implement ergonomics diagnosis measures in order to reduce occupational hazards and accidents in their supply chain. Ergo- nomics measures are implemented to reduce and eliminate workplace accidents, but most manufactur- ing companies and employers overlook this aspect because it is seen as an expense. The case study was performed in Hexagon Steel Construction company. This is due to the fact that such a business operative is responsible for a wide range of activities in the logistical network, from manufacturing to warehousing and distribution, and finally to final structure installation on the construction site. Keywords ergonomics economics construction accidents safety work DOI: 10.30657/pea.2022.28.49 JEL: L23, M11 1. Introduction Striking a balance between economics and ergonomics has always been difficult for management. It is a common assump- tion among executives that spending more on ergonomics will not assist the company financially. Apart from that, physically demanding tasks such as working in awkward positions, lift- ing heavy materials, handling irregular loads, bending and twisting the body, working above shoulder height, working below knee level, and pushing and pulling put construction workers at a high risk of work-related injuries. Employee per- formance becomes unpredictable as a result, resulting in vari- ability (Kim, 2017). Europe 2020 is the European Union's development strategy designed for this decade 2020 to 2029. According to José Ma- nuel Barroso, in the EU, intelligent and sustainable economic growth is required since it is beneficial not only to pay atten- tion to safeguard the natural environment and ecology, but also to increase proactive social commitment (Hendrick, 2021). Corresponding action on these areas should assist the EU as well as member nations in growing their economies in a global perspective by increasing employment, productivity, and social cohesion (Barroso, 2020). Furthermore, negative environmental downscaling (particularly in waste manage- ment) and increased employer responsibility of knowledge of working conditions should be achieved. The key goals for firm development based on knowledge and viewing people as a valuable resource should improve possibilities for satisfying core nutritional, medicinal, and developmental needs, which means a continuing desire to improve employees' living con- ditions (Krynke et al., 2021). In order to realize this premise, the European Union also stated that enterprises must keep the human as a significant item in the human-machine-environ- ment system. This serves as the foundation for microergonom- ics. In a macroergonomics perspective, the internal structure of dependent objects of technological systems, internal rela- tions between objects, and dependency on the external envi- ronment are all taken into consideration in many-objected de- piction, perceived as a system. Because industrial activities are complex, they cannot be understood from a single perspective. Companies and production system models may reflect a few aspects, but they do not provide a comprehensive picture. Three significant interest groups can be identified: employers, employees, and customers.