Whether you’re working from home or in the office, an incorrect set up can leave you feeling sore and tense. Over time, poor posture can cause the natural curves in your back and spine to change, putting an excessive amount of pressure in the wrong position. If you’re feeling stiff or you’ve started a new job, these are some of the signs you need an ergonomic assessment.
You’ve never had one
If you’ve never had an ergonomic assessment, how do you know if your set up is ergonomically friendly? Our bodies are not intended to adopt and maintain the postures imposed by some modern-day workplaces and work tasks. Preventable musculoskeletal injuries are often the combination of a poor selection of general workplace equipment and the way individuals interact with these devices. This may include items such as chairs, laptops, keyboards and mice. The best time to get an ergonomic assessment was when you first started your role, and the second-best time is now.
You have a new desk set up
Whether you’re working in an office or remotely, if you have a new desk set up, it’s time for an ergonomic assessment. Making sure that your workstation is ergonomically friendly will help you mitigate the risk of fatigue and pain in the future. Now is the perfect time to get set up properly and avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) issues down the track.
Your feet don’t touch the floor
Legs are not supposed to dangle from office chairs and is one of the signs you need an ergonomic assessment. Feet need to be flat on the floor (or on a foot rest) to help keep the pelvis balanced. The pelvis needs to be balanced to ensure your core muscles don’t have to work overtime to compensate and put strain on your back. If your feet aren’t touching the floor then your desk or chair might be too high. If this is the case, you may need new equipment or at the very least, a foot rest.
Your back/neck/body is sore
If you’re already feeling sore, it’s not too late. Don’t make a bad situation even worse by ignoring the pain and discomfort you’re in. If you’re like any of the 6.9 million Australians who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), you might need to a day off work to recover or to attend various specialist appointments. Not only is it a pain in the neck (literally) for you and your employer, the annual total cost of MSDs in Australia is calculated to be over 24 billion dollars. Save your sick days for something better by getting an ergonomic assessment now.
5. You’re crossing your legs while you sit
One of the signs you need an ergonomic assessment is if you catch yourself trying to cross your legs. People often do this as they are trying to compensate for their fatigued muscles or sore lower back. It could be a question of which came first, the leg crossing or the discomfort which lead to the leg crossing? Regardless of the reason, this poor posture is hazardous not only for physical safety but also for motivation, productivity and quality of work.
6. You have wrist and arm pain
We’ve spoken about backs and legs, but wrists and arms can also be casualties of a poor ergonomic set up. When typing, your wrists should hover above the desk not drop down and rest on it. If the pain is in your dominant hand, you may need to use a more ergonomic mouse. If left untreated, severe wrist pain could worsen over time. It can also further deteriorate pre-existing injuries such as Carpel Tunnel or Repetitive Strain Injury.
How Recovery Partners can help
Can you relate to any or all of the above? It’s a sign you need an ergonomic assessment. Our ergonomic assessments ensure an appropriate interaction between employees and their workspace.
This involves assessing seating arrangements as well as daily behaviours such as how often they stand, the equipment they use (computers, accessories, keyboards and machinery), and their posture throughout the workplace.
Our team of highly skilled consultants can undertake detailed ergonomic assessments to ensure your environment is a safe and healthy workplace. Ergonomic Assessments can be conducted remotely or on-site. Â
Ask us about our virtual assessments and how our team can support you whilst sitting at your desk.
Digital advancements in our working practices have created a fantastic opportunity for our team to be more immediately available via audio-visual technologies. This availability supports you and your team taking positive steps toward best practice working arrangements sooner rather than later.Â
Learn more about ergonomics or contact us today for an ergonomic assessment.
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Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Â