| number of employees who work in an office | | | | bringing the office current on ergonomic |
| environment increases, so do the number of | | | | regulations without having to spend a large chunk |
| common office injuries. This is because many | | | | of money at once. The lack of funding is often |
| offices do not have an ergonomically-correct | | | | the reason smaller offices cite when asked why |
| facility for their workers. In recent years, having | | | | their facility is not ergonomically correct. Making |
| an ergonomically-correct work environment has | | | | small improvements can take the monetary |
| become as important as pay scales and benefits | | | | pressure off, while still allowing the employer to |
| packages. Employees want to know that the time | | | | make ergonomic improvements. |
| they put in the office on a daily basis is not | | | | Some of the main culprits that contribute to an |
| contributing to a decline in their health with onset | | | | unhealthy working environment include: |
| of afflictions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or | | | | - An ergonomically-incorrect chair that does not |
| Repetitive Stress Injury. | | | | provide proper back and leg support, leans back |
| Many people are not aware of the very, very | | | | at an improper angle, does not contain arm |
| significant benefits of an ergonomically correct | | | | supports and is not adjustable |
| workplace environment. Ergonomics encompasses | | | | - A workstation that sits too high or too low |
| a variety of different workplace conditions, | | | | - A mouse that does not provide zero to no |
| including: | | | | tension |
| - Workstation design | | | | - A support for your wrist for when you are |
| - Temperature | | | | using the mouse |
| - Lighting | | | | - A telephone with no neck support to keep from |
| - Noise | | | | leaning into the phone and straining your neck |
| - Shift Work | | | | - A keyboard that is ergonomically incorrect with |
| - Breaks | | | | a design that causes you hands to constantly |
| - Meals | | | | have to move back and forth along the entire |
| - Machine Design | | | | length of the keyboard |
| In the past, problems associated with Repetitive | | | | - Low lighting that causes you to strain your eyes |
| Stress Injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, were | | | | - Sitting too long in one spot |
| reported in large numbers. Since companies have | | | | - No foot support, which will allow your legs to be |
| received more information over the last decade | | | | elevated to a proper angle |
| about how to set up a more | | | | All of these culprits are easily solved by a |
| ergonomically-correct environment, the number of | | | | combination of an ergonomically correct work |
| instances of RSI and CTS has decreased. | | | | environment and steps that you can take on your |
| However, the numbers are still much higher than | | | | part to assure efficiency and an overall sense of |
| they should be given the wealth of information | | | | general health. |
| available about ergonomics and the workplace. | | | | Some steps that your employer can take include: |
| This is why training for companies about the | | | | - Providing proper office equipment |
| benefits of being ergonomically correct is so | | | | - Conduct employee training on proper ergonomic |
| important. The more information that individual | | | | practices |
| companies have, the better they can serve their | | | | - Conduct periodic inspections of equipment to |
| employees and assist them in staying well and | | | | ensure everything is working properly |
| producing better results. | | | | In addition to these steps, you can do things as |
| There are a number of benefits to working in an | | | | well to ensure your own health. These steps |
| ergonomically-correct environment. They include: | | | | include: |
| - Peaces of mind, knowing you are working in | | | | - Take frequent breaks |
| safe, healthy conditions | | | | - Speak up if you are uncomfortable, having |
| - Increased productivity due to an elevated | | | | physical problems due to ergonomically incorrect |
| comfort level | | | | conditions |
| - Lower occurrences of employee absence due | | | | - Be sure that all aspects of your workstation are |
| to injuries from afflictions such as -RSI and CTS | | | | in line with proper ergonomic procedure |
| - Lower instances of workers compensation | | | | - Listen and actively participate in ergonomic |
| claims due to repetitive stress injuries | | | | workplace training |
| Setting up an ergonomically correct workplace is | | | | - Keep detailed information on any ailments you've |
| not as hard as most would think. Taking small | | | | received as a result of an ergonomically incorrect |
| steps regularly can add up to big benefits in the | | | | workplace environment. |
| end. Purchasing an ergonomically correct chair or | | | | The combination of you and your employer's |
| keyboard can immediately help with some of the | | | | knowledge of the importance of an ergonomically |
| ailments people who work in an | | | | correct workplace will contribute to an increased |
| ergonomically-incorrect environment often | | | | level of productivity as well as a general sense of |
| experience. | | | | well-being at work. Studies have shown that |
| Cost is often an issue, but you don't have to | | | | happier employees produce better results and |
| spend too much at one time. For example, | | | | making sure your workplace is ergonomically |
| employers could begin by replacing one item at a | | | | correct is the first step to achieving such positive |
| time throughout the office. This would assist in | | | | levels of success. |