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. Explore our practical tips for improving workplace ergonomics and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Good PostureÂ
Posture refers to the position your body is in when you are sitting, standing or lying down. Poor posture can lead to serious problems for workers, but the good news is there are several effective ways to improve it.
They include:
- Moving frequently;
- Implementing effective office ergonomics;
- And seeking professional guidance.
Moreover, good posture is vital for all office workers and can have a positive effect on a person’s general wellbeing. Bad posture can have numerous negative effects on a person’s health and pose a significant workplace hazard for office workers.
Ergonomic EquipmentÂ
In addition to having good posture, incorporating ergonomic equipment into your workstation setup can mitigate potential risks that may arise from bad ergonomics. The benefits of using ergonomic equipment include reducing the risk of injury and boosting productivity.
Forms of effective ergonomic equipment include:
- Sit-stand desks
- Ergonomic chairs
- Adjustable workstations
- Footrests
- Keyboard and mouse
- Monitor stands
Reducing Repetitive Movement
To minimise the risk of injury, as an employer, it is important to optimise your employee’s work environment to reduce the impact of the stress caused by the work they do. Without a proper ergonomic setup, employees are at a higher risk of developing a repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are caused by a gradual build-up of stress to muscles over time.
Common causes of repetitive strain injuries include:
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- Using the same muscles repetitively
- Poor lifting techniques
- Maintaining an unusual posture for a long period of time
How to minimise the impact of repetitive strain injury?
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- Warming up before lifting
- Take regular breaks
- Ask for help if a task is too much
- If you begin to experience symptoms, use the RICE principle:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression (Compression sleeve or brace)
- Elevation
- See your doctor if symptoms persist
Ergonomic Assessment
The best way for improving workplace ergonomics is through an ergonomic assessment. An ergonomic assessment involves assessing an employee’s workstation and determining the correct posture and set-up for the individual.
Ergonomic assessments ensure that there is an appropriate interaction between an employee and their workstation. This involves assessing seating arrangements as well as daily behaviours such as:
- How they stand;
- The equipment they use (computers, accessories, keyboards and machinery);
- And their posture.
Benefits of an Ergonomic Assessment
- Reducing costs
- Improvement in productivity and engagement
- Improvement in quality of work
- Improvement in workplace safety
Ergonomics Training
Similarly to ergonomic assessments, ergonomics training can help you identify high-risk workplace equipment and give you strategies to assist with the human behaviours associated with their successful implementation.
Recovery Partners delivers a specialised training program that incorporates both theoretical and practical aspect to develop the knowledge of workers.
Our training covers:
- The essentials of human anatomy;
- Posture;
- Workstation setup and layout;
- Bad habits;
- And self-management techniques.
Office-based participants receive information about workplace layout and setup, appropriate seating, occupational overuse injuries, bad habits, and environmental contributors.
Whilst, non-office based staff receive information about plant and equipment layout and use, manual handling, guarding, and environmental factors relevant to their type of work.
Take a Break
Additionally, taking regular breaks is important for maintaining and improving workplace ergonomics. Short, frequent breaks can help reduce muscle fatigue, prevent RSI and improve productivity and focus. Minimise your time in prolonged sitting by taking breaks to move or stretch. Incorporating breaks into your routine will not only benefit your physical health but also your mental health.
Want to find out more?
Our services are available nationwide. Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au
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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