6 Steps to an Ergonomic Workplace

By Rieva Lesonsky

Most of us have heard the term “ergonomics,” but do you know what it means? Wikipedia defines ergonomics as “the study of designing equipment and devices [to] fit the human body [and] its movements.”

These days, with just about every job in a small business requiring more computer time, making sure you and your employees are using your computers ergonomically is a key area for small business owners to focus on. Both of my business partners and I have suffered from repetitive stress injuries at one time or another. As the name implies, these are injuries that are caused by the cumulative effect of doing the same motion (or “stressing” a part of the body in the same way) over and over. Typing, using your BlackBerry or even the way you hold your head when talking on the phone can all contribute to repetitive stress.

So what are some ways to make sure your workplace is ergonomically friendly? Try these tips:

1. Do an assessment. OSHA offers an eTool that helps you evaluate how well your computer workstations meet ergonomic guidelines.  You can view the guidelines to see if your desks, chairs and computer placement are within the proper guidelines for good ergonomics.
2. Don’t be penny-wise and pound foolish. Often, small businesses make do with office equipment long after it’s worn out. If you’re using old desks, chairs and keyboards, or fitting employees into whatever you happen to have on hand rather than finding chairs and desks that fit them, you could be saving money on equipment only to spend it in lost productivity later on. (Even worse, you might end up with a workers’ compensation claim if one of your employees develops an injury.)
3. Accommodate employees’ needs. Every employee is affected differently by repetitive actions. One person might be able to type for days without pain, while another might need a wrist splint or an ergonomic keyboard to prevent problems. Be sure you and your employees have the tools each individual needs to get the job done.
4. Variety is the spice of health. One key cause of repetitive stress injuries is doing the same thing for a long time without a break. It’s easy to spend several hours computing without ever standing up, walking or even sitting up straight. Incorporate regular stretching breaks into your daily routine; every hour, get up and take a quick walk, stretch or rub the affected areas.
5. The eyes have it. Eyes are affected by extended computing time, leading to headaches or vision problems. Every half hour or so, glance away from your screen and look at a blank white wall for 30 seconds to give your eyes a break. Also make sure your office has appropriate lighting—not too dim or too bright—and that your computer screen doesn’t have too much glare.
6. Sit up straight. Mom was right—many repetitive stress injuries can be avoided just by having good posture as you work. Try to catch yourself when you’re hunching over the keyboard or slouching at your desk. It’s especially easy to slump over a laptop or crane your neck when using your cell phone, so be aware of how you hold your body.

Different workplaces may need specialized ergonomic help to ensure you and your employees stay healthy. Visit the Department of Occupational Health and Safety website for detailed guidelines and resources to help you develop an ergonomic workplace, including posters, stretches and exercises, and tips for different work environments including offices, industrial workplaces and shops.

Image Courtesy: Karen Axelton

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 at 6:00 am and is filed under Small Business, small business, Workforce. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.


You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.