What are Workplace Ergonomics?
If your company has employees who spend a majority of their time working at a desk, computer, or assembly table or are seated in a “one size fits all desk and chair” you may have received complaints about discomfort and pain. Ergonomics refers to the process of designing or arranging tools, processes, and systems so that they fit the people who use them and prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). There is no perfectly sized person, so not all workstations should look the same. Every workstation should be designed specifically for the person working in it.
Why Pay Attention to Ergonomics in Your Workplace?
MSDs are conditions that affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. MSDs can develop over time or can occur immediately due to overload, but they can also be prevented. Ergonomics—fitting the job to the person—increases productivity and helps lessen muscle fatigue, discomfort, and pain, the first signs of an MSD. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively.
How to Get Started with an Ergonomic Assessment
The goal of office ergonomics is to help your employees be more comfortable at work, focusing on how things are set up in the office. Comfortable, pain-free employees are happier, healthier, and more productive!
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