Workplace Efficiency (page 1 of 2)

Through the years I can't remember how many times people have said 'investing' in ergonomics is just another way of getting more money out your customer. How more wrong could they be?

The science of ergonomics is now such a serious subject employers are sitting up and taking notice. After all, if your employees aren't comfortable in their workplace, it's ultimately going to have a detrimental effect on their efficiency, productivity and of course, your bottom line.

It's an area that has been studied and researched for more than a decade, with findings that would make any employer think twice about saving money by buying average office furnishings or not investing in a better quality lighting or air conditioning systems. In fact, in Sweden and many other western countries, laws have been passed that mean offices must reach a certain standard of ergonomics in order to be able to operate.

As a subject it has many facets, and dependent on how involved in it you want to get, it can run very deep. The effects of bad ergonomics can result in both physical and psychological damage to your well-being, just by sitting at your desk!

There will be hundreds upon thousands of businesses around the world that don't consider ergonomics a threat. These businesses need to take a step back and critically assess how efficient their workplace really is. It often amazes me how businesses don't associate loss of employee workdays, through sickness, with ergonomics. As I said before, with the correct application in any working environment, ergonomics can make a business more cost-efficient and employees more productive, and although there is the initial cost outlay, the business will benefit in the long term.

Consider posture at your desk. By ensuring your comfort is not compromised during your working day, you won't be more prone to the manifestations that can come about, such as; musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). RSIs come about due to repetitive motion, which can ultimately cause injury to spinal discs, muscles, nerves, ligaments and joints to name but a few and play havoc on backs, necks, wrists and even vision. You know, in the US alone more than 93 million working days are lost every year due to back pain, around 2.5million people are totally disabled from it and around US$17 million is spent annually on treatment and diagnosis alone. The figures speak for themselves; I just hope employers realize this. Address the issues, implement where necessary and reap the benefit, that is all we can say.

Also as mentioned earlier, it's not only how you work that can effect your day, where you work can have a major impact too. The building you work in could be aiding in the demise of your physical and mental health. You have probably heard of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), and affecting many new office structures, ailments include dizziness, headaches, sore eyes, fatigue, soar throat, hand and foot spasms, colds, coughs, dry and itchy skin. Such illnesses come as a result of a number of attributes to your office. For example, poor air conditioning, poor air circulation - which includes tobacco smoke, the office heating system, keeping windows closed and even the plastic casing and VDU screens of computers. Improving the different systems within your building can be a straightforward task and one that just requires regular cleaning and ensuring all the systems are working efficiently and effectively.