Final answer:
Reactive treatment in ergonomics addresses problems after they occur, such as workplace injuries, through accommodations or corrections. Proactive treatment, in comparison, aims at preventing injuries by implementing ergonomic solutions ahead of time, including ergonomic assessments and training.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ergonomics, to actions taken in response to a problem that has already occurred, such as when a worker has reported discomfort, pain, or injury. This might involve modifying a workstation to accommodate the injured worker or addressing the specific issue that caused the injury.
On the other hand, proactive treatment (or proactive approach) in ergonomics involves anticipating potential issues and implementing ergonomic solutions before any problems or injuries occur. This can include ergonomic assessments, training on correct posture and equipment use, and the use of ergonomic design principles in the creation of workspaces and tools.
The main goal of a proactive treatment strategy is injury prevention and enhancing overall worker well-being, which is often more effective and cost-efficient in the long run compared to addressing issues after they have caused harm.