Ergonomics - Work shouldn’t hurt!
By Monica Ackermann

How often have you come home from the office with sore shoulders, a stiff neck, headaches or pain in your wrists and arms? How many of us have put back supports into our chairs at work just to try to get more comfortable.   

As employees we just come to accept these aches and pains as a normal part of working in an office and, in particular, working on a computer.  

As employers we need to recognize that this is not acceptable and that it is preventable. 

Work shouldn’t hurt! If your employees hurt they will be distracted by discomfort, unable to focus on their work and as a result they will be less productive. In some cases these employees may end up off work with work related injuries such as Repetitive Strain Injuries.  

Workplace ergonomics can help to create a healthy and more productive workplace.  

Everyone is familiar with the word ergonomics but do we really know what it means?  Has your company invested in ergonomic chairs and ergonomic desks? Then why are your staff still uncomfortable and developing work related injuries?   

An object cannot be ergonomic until someone interacts with it. The equipment needs to be adjusted to suit the person and the job they need to do. By definition, ergonomics is the study of people’s performance and well-being in relation to their job tasks, equipment, and workplace.  

Successful ergonomics in an office requires a “systems approach”. The system consists of an adjustable office chair, computer workstation, computer with input and display devices, accessories i.e. phone and other work tools, and the person who interacts with those components while performing work tasks.  

According to a recent study (December 2003) published in the journal Occupational Medicine: 

“Regardless of the work performed or the time spent in front of an office computer, workers whose workstations suffer from poor design may be more at risk for developing musculo-skeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities.” 

The researchers concluded that by increasing the focus on workstation design, including keyboard and mouse placement, and by improving postures while using the computer, the risk of developing musculo-skeletal disorders would decrease.

How can you ensure that your investment in ergonomic workstation equipment translates into healthier and more productive employees?

Education

Educating employees about ergonomic principles and body mechanics will empower them to become more aware of their bodies and how they can adjust their own workstations to suit themselves and their job tasks. For example learning how to use a chair may seem obvious; however, in our experience most people don’t know how to adjust their “ergonomic” chairs, finding all the levers and knobs intimidating and therefore find them uncomfortable.

Office Ergonomic Audit

An office wide Ergonomic Audit will identify your company’s overall compliance with ergonomic principles.   

Individual Ergonomic Audits

An ergonomic audit of workstations for individual employees can identify areas where the “fit” has not been made. Minor modifications to existing workstations is all that is needed in most cases,  e.g. adjusting monitor and desk height; keyboard and mouse placement; chair adjustment. Employees that are at risk of developing injuries can also be identified and work related injuries prevented.

Taking a proactive stance with respect to office ergonomics will ensure a more productive workplace and an environment where work doesn’t hurt.

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Monica Ackermann is a Professional Systems Design Engineer, a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and a Principle of AVTA. She has been working in the area of job accommodation for 18 years. Her specialty areas include: job accommodation, assistive technology, business software applications, work site evaluation and specialized computer training. She is a registered Assistive Technology Practitioner.

Assistive Vocational Technology Associates provides job accommodation services for people with disabilities in the workforce. AVTA specializes in office ergonomics, assistive technology assessment and training and return-to-work planning. AVTA’s principles are Inge Martin, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) and Monica Ackermann, P.Eng., A.T.P.

Website: www.avta.ca