THE BENEFITS OF ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION ASSESSMENTS FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES
Ergonomic Workstation Assessments for your team
Employers are responsible to ensure a safe work environment for their staff. Ergonomic Workstation Assessments can help to identify areas of concern as they are designed to analyse an employee’s workstation. Additionally, it will help to ensure your team can work comfortably and safely by reducing the risk of injury. Ultimately, maximising their productivity and wellbeing. The risk of injury is caused by the stress on someone’s body by working at a station that is not suitable for their specific needs.
Injuries can be caused by poorly set up workstations including equipment such as keyboards, monitors and mice, as well as office chairs. Equipment that is incorrectly adjusted could lead to musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain/stress injuries.
Injuries from bad ergonomics can be easily prevented. Regular Ergonomic Workstation Assessments can reduce the cost incurred by sickness absence, poor productivity, and lost time.
Improving a healthier and safer environment will demonstrate to your employees that you are a business that cares about their workforce which, in turn, will increase morale and reduce staff turnover.
The benefits of an Ergonomic Workstation Assessments
Improved Productivity
Good posture will make it easier for your employees to perform tasks. This can lead to helping them become more efficient and improve the quality of work produced by each individual or by a team.
Increased Employee Engagement
This shows the employee that you have a vested interest and that you care for your employees in the workplace. By taking steps to improve health and safety this will improve the work culture.
Reduced Costs
A healthier workforce will reduce sickness absence and workplace injuries.
Simple changes can be made to any workstation. While it is important to regularly undertake risk assessments and or workstation assessments to identify any issues that may occur.
Changes can be made to the positioning of the monitor either by distance, height, or tilt. The use of a keyboard and mouse should be in the correct position for the user to be able to access both pieces of equipment without overstretching. Even slight adjustments can be made to the chair provided to ensure the correct posture for each individual.
It is good practice to support your staff in taking short breaks away from their workstation. This gives them the opportunity to be able to stretch and change posture and avoid stiffness.
Workstation exercises can also be undertaken with minimal loss of productivity.
If your employees are struggling with their workstation after a risk assessment has been undertaken, it can help to speak with an Occupational Health provider for further advice.
To learn more about our Ergonomic Workstation Assessments or any of our other Occupational Health services, get in touch with our corporate team today.