Workspace ergonomics matters at home and in the office
Many of us in the office industry sit at work. A lot. While some may sit for a few hours, most of us sit all day. There are numerous health risks associated with periods of prolonged sitting.
Adverse Health Effects Sitting all day can lead to several very serious health issues. Sitting is inactive, so the body doesn’t burn as many calories when it’s sedentary all day. This can lead to weight gain and obesity, which is linked to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a myriad of other health conditions. Ergonomic Injury Sitting all day can result in serious ergonomic injuries if you’re not practicing ergonomic safety. Workers who sit all day are especially prone to back and next strains and injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculoskeletal disorders that all stem from improper seated working postures, repetition, prolonged sitting, and not having the proper equipment or an ergonomically correct workstation. |
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Many strategies may help mitigate the health risks associated with sitting
Mitigating the Risks
Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers are safe from potential ergonomic hazards. Workers must also be willing to participate in their own wellness.
Check out the Workstation
Employers and JHSC members should be inspecting workstations regularly to confirm that they’re ergonomically sound and to determine if any equipment needs to be purchased, such as monitor risers, footstools, chairs, or keyboard trays. Provide the Right Equipment for the Job Help your remote workers work safely by purchasing the right equipment for the job. Employees who sit all day require a desk and a proper computer chair that is fully adjustable and that provides good lumbar support. If your employee needs equipment to make them more comfortable, provide it. Employees will be safer and more productive if they have the tools they need to do the job. |
Provide Training
Provide employees with ergonomic safety training. Training will help ensure that employees understand the basics of:
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Provide a Visual Reminder
A great way to ensure that workers remain aware of ergonomic health is to provide a handy visual reminder. Provide a poster that includes information such as:
To make it easy, MidSouthWest is giving you a FREE Office Ergonomics poster! Employees can easily print and post this visual reminder in their remote workplaces. |
How Employers Can Help
Employees must play a role in their wellness. There are many ways employees can mitigate the risks of sitting, such as:
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Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers ergonomic safety training, including an Ergonomic Assessment Train-the-Trainer course. To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Last updated August 5, 2021