Category: Ergonomics In The Workplace

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Ergonomics In The Workplace

 

There is a need for good ergonomics in the workplace.

An ergonomic workplace not only ensures the safety and comfort of the workers but also boosts their productivity. Proper ergonomics will effectively prevent injuries at the workplace. Ergonomics is all about the designing and arrangement of various products as well as systems at a workplace and also the usage of these product and systems by those who work there. Ergonomics enable the workers to avoid stress at workplace and ultimately it ensures them comfort and happiness. When a workplace has good ergonomics the workers will be healthy and enthusiastic whereas poor ergonomic conditions will lead to various types of injuries and other physical complications. when the environs of a workplace are not properly designed or not maintained in the proper way it will cause either long-term or permanent disability, fall in efficiency, huge loss of revenue and more number of medical claims. In a workplace or an office, the purpose of ergonomics is to make the workplace suitable, safe and comfortable for all the men and women who work there. When the workplace has goo ergonomics it will effectively prevent MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders).

The main ergonomic aspects of a workplace

Relief from stress

When the workers in a workplace complain of neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain, it indicates lack of workplace ergonomics. Instead of sitting for hours together, the workers may make it a practice to get up from their chair at intervals,  or they can make it a habit to get up from the seat when they want to with someone over the phone or to file a document, etc. When they want to relax for few minutes, they can get away from the seat. By walking a few steps and stretching during the short breaks they can get relief from stress. Stress can lead to physical injuries. When one is working under stress he/she will remain tense throughout the day. They will forget to take sufficient breaks and also fail to report their medical problems. This will only lead to injury and more complications.

Avoid eyestrain

Those who who spend a lot of time on the computer complain about eye strain. To solve this problem the gare of the light needs to be corrected first, either by adjusting the position of the light or by adjusting the position as well as the angle of the monitor. When there is a light screen background it will be more comfortable to the eyes. Occasionally focusing on an object off the monitor one can give rest to the eye muscles. Those who use a laptop may use an external keyboard as well as a mouse.

Ensure readability

Monitors with poor resolution and monitors that flicker need to be rectified or replaced. The font size must be appropriate so as to avoid eye strain. Those who wear glasses may use full-frame reading glasses which are specifically prescribed for the monitor distance. The monitor must be kept straight in front of the user and the referring documents may be kept to immediate right or left.

Awareness of workplace ergonomics

Proper awareness of workplace ergonomics is very important for everyone. When a worker has proper understanding of his/her work environment he/she can control and adjust various aspects of the surroundings. Control and awareness are very important for reducing the stress.

Perfect workplace ergonomics is in the best interests of all concerned. Poor workplace ergonomics will create physical problems for the employees and heavy financial loss to the employers. The employers can utilize the service of ergonomics specialist who will make specific recommendations for improving the ergonomics of the workplace after studying the working conditions.

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Making Your Workplace More Ergonomic

 

How can you make your office or workplace more ergonomic?

Workplace ergonomics is very essential to ensure the safety and comfort of all those who work there. Those who want to make the work desk more ergonomic may have to make some changes in the entire workplace. One can create a custom ergonomic work desk that meets all the requirements. Those who are aware of the importance of workplace ergonomics can improve the office in such a way that those who work there will be assured of a healthy as well as stimulating environment. It is also important to conduct periodic evaluation of the workplace ergonomics and make suitable changes or improvements to ensure that the employees are provided with comfortable and healthy working environs.

It is not a difficult task to improve the ergonomics of the workplace. By way of making the workplace more comfortable as well as healthier, the productivity of the employees can be enhanced. In modern workplaces one can find many advanced ergonomic products. All such products enable the employees to work more comfortably. Here are a few tips to make the workplace more ergonomic.

Start using Standing Desk Conversion

Without going for total replacement of the work desk the workplace ergonomics can be improved by way of providing standing desk conversion. Standing Desk Conversion is made on the surface of the existing work desk with adjustable height so that the employ can work on it sitting or standing. The Standing Desk Conversion should have separate platforms for the computer monitor, keyboard and the mouse.

Identify all risk factors and prevent injuries

Long frequency, high forces, uneasy or awkward postures are the common risk factors which can lead to various muscular as well as skeletal disorders. Long term exposure to these risk factors may cause injuries of the tissues of muscle, nerves, blood vessels, joints, spinal disc, tendons and other parts of the body. When the body becomes unable to heal such injuries, the affected part or organ in the body fails to function normally. These risk factors must be considered and remedial measures are to be taken while improving the ergonomics of the workplace.

Implement healthy working posture

Neck pain, shoulder pain and back pain occur mainly because of improper working habits. In order to make the workplace more ergonomic the employees must be taught the right position in which they can sit and work. Throughout the working hours one should keep on changing his/her body position. While typing contents from another document one has to make use of a document stand so as to avoid frequent twisting of the neck as well as bending forward and backward. The monitor must be centered with the chair and key board. When one has to attend a telephone call while working on the computer, a headset may be used to avoid the strenuous neck positioning to hold the receiver on the shoulder. The workplace must be arranged in such a way that one need not bend or stoop too much. One must sit relaxed while working on the desk. The shoulder and neck should not be subjected to continued strain.

Arrange ergonomic seating

Improper and uncomfortable seating arrangements in the workplace will cause lower back pain. The height, pan depth and armrests of the chair should be adjustable. The edges of the chair should be round as well as soft and the backrest must be sufficiently inclined. While sitting in the chair one should not have difficulty to sit in different postures. The person occupying the chair must be able to sit comfortably without leaning forward. The chair must be made of slip-resistant fabric and the casters should be suitable to the surface of the floor.

All the people working in a workplace must be aware of the ergonomic conditions and they should have control over the same. This will help them to reduce stress at the workplace. It is very important to properly understand the work environment.