Unnecessary motions refer to the importance of ergonomics for quality and productivity. If operators have to stretch, bend, pick-up, move in order to see better, or in any way unduly exert themselves, the victim is immediately the operator but ultimately quality and productivity.

This is why an awareness of the ergonomics of the workplace is not only ethically desirable, but economically sound. Toyota, famous for its quality, is known to place a high importance on "quality of worklife". Toyota encourages all its employees to be aware of working conditions that contribute to this form of waste.

Today, of course, this waste is also a health and safety issue.

Examples: bending, reaching, double handling at the workplace, more than two turns to loosen a nut, walking between widely spaced workcentres.