The Importance of Ergonomics: Workplace Wellness
Ergonomics and workplace wellness – what you need to know
The average worker spends 65 per cent of their time at work sat in a sedentary position without considering ergonomics. Prolonged sitting has been associated with cardiovascular problems, musculoskeletal disorders and a decrease in productivity and concentration.
What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries that can occur to joints, ligaments, nerves, tendons, and all structures that support the limbs, neck and back. There are few ways to contract MSDs, and these are usually ergonomic related. There are three primary ergonomic risk factors:
- High task repetition – This means doing tasks repetitively, such as using a keyboard or a mouse all day. This repetitive strain combined with bad posture could make for a workplace injury.
- Forceful exertions – Many workplaces require employees to carry heavy loads (boxes etc.), this can add immense pressure to the body, which can increase fatigue and therefore increases the risk of a MSD.
- Repetitive or sustained awkward postures – Sitting in awkward positions at your desk can put excessive force on joins and overload the muscles and tendons, this could increase the risk of neck and back pain.
Most of these ergonomic risk factors can be combated my introducing up to date ergonomic furniture to your workstation setup.
Ergonomics – HSE
How do I make my workstation more ergonomical?
Investing in adjustable ergonomic furniture can reduce the risk of MSDs. Fitting your workstation with adjustable furniture will mean you can change the height and angle of particular objects. For example, getting an adjustable monitor arm will allow you to move your monitor screen so it is aligned perfectly with your eye line, reducing the risk of eye strain.
Essential ergonomic products
- AQ100 Ergonomic Chair
- Aluforce Pro 140 Height Adjustable Desk
- Dataflex Viewmate Ecoline – Single Monitor Arm
- Mouse Pad
These products will ensure you are a lot more comfortable, and this will make for a positive workplace environment.
If you’re still unsure what ergonomic products you need most, then getting a DSE workstation assessment could be worthwhile.
DSE workstation assessments
At VergoUK, our experts can come to your place of work to assess your workstations and guide you to solutions to meet DSE regulations and enable you to maintain a comfortable working posture.
Following a referral by a Health and Safety or Occupational Health department to respond to a staff member’s issue, one of our highly experienced DSE Assessors will visit the user at their place of work and run through the assessment which explores medical history, working patterns and workspace solutions. This typically takes 30-45 minutes.
This is followed up with a written report providing a detailed overview of the working conditions and challenges faced by the user, together with any necessary recommendations to help alleviate the issues.
If you would like to discuss your DSE assessment requirements in more detail or would like more information on how we could help, then please contact us here.