Ergonomics involves designing workplace stations with the use of human data to create an environment that is more suitable for working. To put it simply, you want a workplace designed according to the natural laws of the human body, so as to increase safety and comfort, and boost employee efficiency.

Ergonomic Assessments in the Workplace

Ergonomic assessments are done to minimize the risk of injury and maximize productivity. It is also done to support the return to work of a worker who is injured and needs to minimize workplace discomfort to recover faster from their injury and prevent aggravation. Workers who are remote also need to ensure their remote work environment is safe and ergonomically designed.

The first step to making your workplace more ergonomic is to hire an ergonomist to conduct workplace ergonomic assessment. These people have experience in assessing and identifying present and possible future problems and have the necessary skills to suggest solutions for any ergonomic issue they encounter. With the guidance of these health professions, you can decide what kind of actions to take; be it to organize a workshop to increase awareness, one-on-one assessments of employee to ensure proper ergonomic setup, or to determine the equipment or higher levels of control that an injured employee may require.

Once you have identified your ergonomic issues, it becomes easier to decide what needs to be implemented, whether that be to provide ergonomic equipment or make changes to an employee’s job duties. For example, concerning issues with high-task repetition, a simple solution is to continuously cycle employees between repetitive tasks.

Other Ergonomic Benefits

These days, ergonomic trends are moving away from trying to reduce musculoskeletal injuries to the many other business benefits ergonomic change brings. Good ergonomics has reduced worker compensation claims and increased productivity since workers are happier and healthier. It has also improved employee engagement and longevity at the workplace. People can notice when you invest in them and taking steps to improve their health and well-being, which shows you care about the working conditions of your employees.

To achieve an optimal ergonomic workstation, it is important to hire a Specialist to examine your current workplace.  At Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants, we can evaluate your current workspace, find ways to make it more ergonomic, and then provide and install the necessary equipment to do so. To learn more, contact us today!

  Filed under: Ergonomic Injury Prevention, Ergonomics Assessment, Ergonomics Consulting, Ergonomics Training
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In the modern age, the majority of our workforce spends their days at a desk. Indeed, the number of sedentary jobs has increased by 83% since 1950, and only 20% of our workforce perform physically active jobs. With so many Americans sitting for such long periods of time, it’s important that their space is ergonomically friendly in order to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, back injuries, and more.  

Here just some of the many health risks that a poor ergonomic workspace can have on our bodies:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) 

Perhaps the most debilitating and most common result of a poor ergonomic workspace are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis. All of these conditions can be the result of poor posture and repetitive movements (such as typing) over a long period of time. 

Back injuries 

Sitting is the new smoking, as they say, and prolonged inactivity can wreak havoc on our backs. Sitting for long periods of time and/or incorrect posture can cause cumulative trauma which ultimately lead to back issues later on. While back pain can sometimes be temporary, according to the CDC, anywhere from 5-10% of Americans say that their back pain becomes chronic.  

Headaches and migraines 

Poor ergonomics can also lead to seemingly unrelated symptoms such as headaches and migraines. This is because poor posture can lead to a greater strain on our backs, necks, and shoulders. The pain in these areas can then travel up to your head, triggering headaches and/or migraines in certain individuals. Headaches and migraines can also be triggered by eye strain as a result of staring at a screen for too long of a time. 

So, what can you do to prevent your workforce from suffering from these conditions? The answer is making your workspace more ergonomically friendly. At Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants, we can evaluate your current workspace, find ways to make it more ergonomic, and then provide and install the necessary equipment to do so. To learn more, contact us today! 

  Filed under: Ergonomic Injury
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