Creating an ergonomically designed environment benefits all people whether at home, school, work or in the community. When an environment and equipment are designed to enable safe and efficient functioning, stress is minimized, accidents are prevented and wellness is enhanced.
Students can learn with greater attention and focus and workers can do their job productively with less frustration and effort. Greater enjoyment, satisfaction and self esteem can result, while also improving quality of life.
Ergonomics 101
Ergonomics is the process of designing, space planning and choosing equipment and technologies to fit human interaction and functioning. While the first thing that comes to mind are chairs or keyboards, ergonomics can involve anything from sports equipment to staplers, kitchen gadgets, pens, scissors, water faucets, door handles, lighting, and workstations.
Ergonomics and Stress
Stress is all too common and can lead to a wide range of health challenges, such as migraines, back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, and computer stress. By designing a workplace with ergonomics in mind, you can prevent musculoskeletal injuries, cognitive decline due to sensory overload, increase blood circulation and feelings of well-being. Employers can save money spent on addressing absenteeism due to health challenges and parents can create safer spaces for their children and themselves, preventing accidents and stress related conditions impacting their immune systems.
If you design a job to allow for fewer motions, less exertion and optimal posture, workers will be able to do more in less time while decreasing the chance of an accidental injury.
Ergonomics and Injury
One of the most common workplace injuries results from lifting heavy boxes without proper body mechanics and equipment. The National Safety Council estimates that the average work-related injury costs over $38,000 in direct results, without even considering the financial impact on productivity and the workplace itself. If your workplace does not take ergonomics into account, they are putting your health and well-being on the line every day.
What injuries are common in the workplace?
- Back Pain & Injury
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Visual and Computer stress
- Cognitive Decline
- Fatigue
- Attention Deficits, ADD/ADHD
- Chronic Migraines & Headaches
- Balance and Vestibular Problems
- Poor Posture
- Pain & Injuries in your Neck, Shoulder, Hip and Knees
What are the biggest injury risk factors at work?
- Mental and Physical Stress
- Fatigue
- Sensory Overload
- Frequent or Excessive Lifting, Reaching, Bending, Grasping
- Repetitive Arm or Hand Movements
- Vibration from Power Tools
- Visual Stress from Electronic Devices or Bright or Fluorescent Lighting
- Poor Posture both while Sitting and Standing
- Improper or Unsafe Equipment
When designing a workplace to prevent injury:
- Use the right equipment (size, height of work surfaces, etc.) for the job.
- Locate work areas within “primary reach zones,” or places that workers can access easily and comfortably.
- Provide ergonomic seating and sit/stand work areas.
- Use easy glide file drawers.
- Use ergonomic keyboards.
- Use cushioned handles with easy grasping surfaces.
- Avoid fluorescent lighting, glare from windows, and high contrast or busy patterns in rugs, walls and furniture.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our accessibility consultations and injury prevention services, call us today at (410) 358-7269. To get started at home, complete a pre-assessment for Sensory Processing Disorder, schedule a free phone consultation, and learn more about the Irlen screening process, Irlen diagnostic testing, Irlen re-tint testing, and who we help.
