Ergonomics Safety

The field of ergonomics aims to optimize safety, comfort, and productivity by reducing physical strain and stress on the body. It is well understood that a healthy and comfortable work environment is essential for employee well-being and productivity. 

In a workplace setting, ergonomics refers to designing and arranging workspaces, tools, and equipment to fit the needs of workers. By utilizing ergonomics, employers can create a workplace that promotes employee health and safety, reduces the risk of injuries and illnesses, and improves job satisfaction and productivity. For example, workplace ergonomics safety can involve:

• Analyzing a job’s tasks and physical demands and designing workstations and tools that fit the worker, rather than forcing the worker to adapt to the workspace
• Utilizing ergonomically designed tools like keyboards and mice
• Implementing practices like frequent breaks and stretching exercises to reduce physical strain

Many jobs require a 40-hour work week, which, taken over a long enough period of time constitutes a significant portion of a worker’s life. Poor ergonomics can result in overstraining the body over time, causing discomfort or injury, potentially for life. Injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by poor posture and lead to potentially irreversible nerve damage in the arm or wrist. Ergonomics can help prevent injuries by providing tools to reduce strain and keep the body in a healthier posture.

Proper ergonomics is important in the workplaces of any industry. In addition to reducing the risk of injury, ergonomics positively impacts productivity and job satisfaction. Employees are more likely to be engaged with their work and perform at a higher caliber when they feel comfortable and supported in their workspace. These benefits reach beyond industrial workspaces and prevention of bodily injury. Ergonomic workstations in office settings can also help reduce eye strain, headaches, and other common workplace discomforts, improving employee satisfaction, performance, and productivity.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries that affect the body’s muscles, tendons, and nerves. These injuries are often caused by overexertion, awkward postures, and repetitive motions. They can result in pain, discomfort, and long-term disability, which can be costly for the employee and the employer. Employers can reduce the risk of MSDs and other workplace injuries by creating an ergonomically sound workspace.

One extremely common example of an MSD is carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where nerves become compressed at the wrist. This compression often results in pain or tingling in the hand and arm. Repetitive hand movements, such as typing, often cause carpal tunnel, and the damage can be exacerbated by poor ergonomics in the workplace. For example, if a worker’s keyboard or mouse is not at the correct angle or height, it can cause strain on the wrists and hands over time.

Poor posture can cause headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and stiffness. For example, if a desk or chair is at the wrong height, it can cause the employee to hunch over, leading to poor posture and pain over time. Poor placement of a computer monitor or inadequate lighting can cause eye strain, headaches, and even vision problems.

Alongside physical consequences for workers, ignoring workplace ergonomics safety can also have negative consequences for employers. Discomfort and pain caused by poor ergonomics can reduce productivity and increase absenteeism. For example, employees who experience discomfort or pain may need to take more frequent breaks, work more slowly, or take time off to recover from an injury caused by workplace strain.

Workplace injuries and conditions caused by poor ergonomics can increase healthcare costs for both employees and employers. For example, MSDs and repetitive strain injuries sometimes require medical treatment, physical therapy, or surgery, which can add to a company’s healthcare and workers’ compensation costs. Employees who take time off or leave their workplaces due to injuries can incur lost wages and other costs.

Creating an ergonomically sound workspace is essential for promoting the health and safety of employees who work in an office setting. The following office ergonomics checklist provides a guide for optimizing safety and comfort, reducing the risk of workplace injuries, and promoting productivity and job satisfaction in office workspaces.

• Chair Height – Improper chair height can cause discomfort and pain in the hips, legs, and lower back. To achieve a proper sitting posture, individuals should raise their chair high to allow the feet to rest flat on the floor, thighs to be parallel to the floor, and hips to be level with the knees.
• Desk Height – To avoid wrist strain, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, users should maintain desks at a height that allows them to keep their forearms parallel to the floor and their wrists in a neutral position. In the event the desk is too high, the user should utilize a footrest to adjust the seating position. If multiple individuals with different heights share a desk or workstation, a height-adjustable desk could be an ergonomic solution.
• Monitor Placement – Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level, which will help reduce neck and eye strain.
• Keyboard and Mouse Placement – Place the keyboard and mouse in a position that allows elbows to be at a 90-degree angle and wrists to be straight. Avoid placing these items too far away, which can cause overreaching and shoulder strain.
• Lighting – Use adjustable lighting to reduce glare and prevent eye strain and discomfort. Avoid positioning a screen in front of a bright light source.
• Ambient Noise Reduction – Ambient noise can be distracting and cause stress in the workplace. Consider using noise-canceling headphones or white noise machines to reduce distractions.

In today’s workplace, ergonomic equipment is becoming increasingly common. According to a 2020 study in Applied Ergonomics, such equipment has been proven to reduce the risk of work-related injuries from job hazards and increase employee satisfaction and productivity. When selecting ergonomic equipment for a workplace, it’s important to ensure employees receive training on properly adjusting and using the equipment to maximize its benefits.

While office ergonomic equipment may seem like a luxury expense, it should be considered not only as a means of reducing costs from losses of productivity or workplace injuries, but also as a means to improve employee morale and productivity. 

Below is a list of common equipment and how it can help employees with ergonomic safety in the workplace.

• Ergonomic Chairs – An ergonomic chair is designed to support an employee’s back, hips, and thighs and help maintain good posture while seated. Features that mark a chair as ergonomic may include adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and adjustable armrests. Properly adjusted ergonomic chairs, combined with a good posture, can help prevent lower back pain.
• Standing Desks – A standing desk allows an employee to work while standing rather than sitting down, which can help with posture and circulation. Standing desks range in styles from fixed-height desks to adjustable models, which allow transitioning between sitting and standing.
• Footrests – A footrest can help support an employee’s feet and legs to help retain an ideal seating posture. This is especially helpful for shorter individuals whose feet may not touch the ground when seated.
• Wrist Supports – By reducing the pressure on an employee’s wrists while typing or using a mouse, wrist rests can work to reduce injuries due to strain, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. These supports are typically made of soft, cushioned material and can be used on a keyboard tray or desk surface.
• Keyboard Trays – A keyboard tray can help position the keyboard and mouse at the correct height and distance from the body, which can help prevent neck, shoulder, and wrist strain. Keyboard trays are typically mounted under the desk and can be adjusted for proper height and tilt.
• Anti-Fatigue Mats – Standing in one spot for an extended period of time can result in fatigue or even pain in the feet, legs, and spine. Using an anti-fatigue mat, often made of a spongy material, provides cushioning and can reduce strain from continuous standing. These mats are typically used in industrial or retail settings where workers must stand at a counter or assembly line for their entire work shift.
• Monitor Stands – A computer monitor stand can help position the monitor at the correct height and distance from the body, which can help prevent eye strain, neck pain, and headaches. Monitor stands are typically adjustable for height and tilt to make for the best posture for each employee.
• Document Holders – A document holder can help position documents at the correct height and angle for employees who transcribe documents using a computer. These holders can help prevent neck and eye strain, assisting workers who might otherwise frequently hold their heads using improper posture for long periods of time. 

Good ergonomics can go a long way toward preventing injuries and improving comfort in the workplace. Here are some practical office ergonomics tips for reducing the frequency of MSDs and other workplace injuries.