1. http://www.ghrogroup.com
Office Ergonomics
You’ve heard the term “ergonomics” and how important it is to employee health and safety, but
what does it really mean? “Ergonomics” doesn’t only refer to your keyboard’s shapely new
figure—or to your own new figure when you wear that back brace to lift boxes. Ergonomics is
also a science that designs items for the safest, most efficient human use. In the workplace, this
means arranging workstations and creating work conditions that put less strain on the body. For
business owners and managers, ergonomics is also a tool to prevent employee injury.
According to OSHA, improper ergonomics is the primary cause of severe workplace injuries.
OSHA also states that ergonomic issues are common in jobs that require “repetitive, forceful, or
prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying of heavy
objects; and prolonged awkward postures.” Leading the pack of injuries promoted by incorrect
ergonomics: musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, which are
the main cause of workers’ compensation claims among office workers. Because these injuries
may not be readily apparent and may worsen over time, affected employees may be slow to
notice discomfort before it becomes a major health problem. Such injuries cost employers
millions of dollars in medical costs and lost employee productivity.
So what can be done to combat the physical strain caused by improper ergonomics? Some
employers may benefit from an independent audit of the company’s ergonomics needs, which
will tailor suggestions for improvement to each employee’s workstation. With or without an
auditor’s recommendations, employers should equip workers with the tools necessary to perform
their jobs with ease. These tools may range from easy-touch staplers to brighter office lights.
Proper training is also important to promote ergonomics and to reduce injuries. Employers
should develop ergonomically correct procedures for each job and should incorporate those
procedures into their company’s safety program and employee handbook. Employees should be
taught how to ergonomically perform their duties, how to recognize actions that may expose
them to injury, and how to identify the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
With the right tools and training, effective ergonomic work conditions can lead to higher
productivity, decreased risk of illness and injury, and increased worker contentment. Investing
in ergonomic equipment and training will reap the reward of happier employees and reduced
workers’ compensation claims.