When employees are feeling uncomfortable, they can’t concentrate on their work. They will get distracted and may even call in sick. This impacts productivity and costs the business money.
Implementing a company culture of ergonomics can help prevent this. It’s an investment that will pay off in the long run.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of adapting jobs, tools, and equipment to be compatible with human anatomy and physiology in order to reduce the risk of work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder injuries. This discipline draws on several other scientific areas, including psychology, biology, and engineering. There are three broad areas of ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and organizational.
Physical ergonomics includes design elements that address issues like the proper height for a desk or chair, the correct distance between a person’s eyes and their computer monitor, and how to arrange a person’s workspace to best prevent injury and fatigue. This can be particularly important for sedentary workplaces, where workers spend most of their time sitting down all day. Proper ergonomics can significantly decrease the chances of musculoskeletal disorders like back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and shoulder and wrist injuries.
Another aspect of physical ergonomics is ensuring that products are designed to be comfortable for extended periods of time. This includes features like padded seats, armrests, and supports to help prevent strain on the body. It also entails designing products that encourage movement and discourage stiff, fixed postures. For example, a standing desk is a great way to combat the effects of a sedentary workday without negatively impacting productivity.
Cognitive ergonomics involves the design of user interfaces and internal systems that are easy to understand and use. For example, a computer mouse with a curved shape and additional side buttons that allow you to perform other functions can make working on a laptop much more comfortable than using one that is flat and straight. This can greatly improve a person’s ability to concentrate and be productive at work.
Organizational ergonomics, on the other hand, focuses on how a business organizes itself and its staff in a way that promotes efficiency, safety, and employee morale. This type of ergonomics can help eliminate waste, inefficiency, and conflict within a company by providing employees with clear guidelines for working together in a healthy environment.
Understanding the importance of ergonomics is essential for any business that wants to ensure the health and safety of its employees. By implementing a few simple ergonomic principles, companies can dramatically reduce the number of injuries and illnesses at work.
Comfort
Ergonomics is more than just management jargon; it improves productivity, avoids employee injuries, and creates a safe workplace. Employees who are comfortable and happy with their jobs tend to work harder, which helps the business grow. Considering the costs of lost productivity, absenteeism, and worker compensation claims, ergonomics is an investment that pays off.
When employees experience discomfort or fatigue, they are distracted by their pain and unable to focus on their jobs. Ergonomics eliminates these obstacles by ensuring employees have access to the equipment and tools they need to complete their tasks without any unnecessary stress. This includes adjusting furniture, implementing an appropriate seating system, and establishing a safety culture.
In addition, ergonomics reduces stress in the body. When an employee is stressed, they move their arms and neck frequently and unnecessarily, which slows down the work process and causes them to become fatigued faster. The purpose of ergonomics is to eliminate these factors and allow an employee to work at a higher level.
Comfort also plays a role in an employee’s mental clarity. Studies show that when workers are uncomfortable, they are more likely to be distracted and unable to think clearly. Adapting ergonomic practices decreases physical pain, strengthens muscles, and increases blood flow, which can help to improve an employee’s mental insight and overall productivity.
Aside from the benefits of increased productivity, an ergonomic workspace sends a message to employees that their employer cares about them. Creating a culture of safety and health also boosts morale, which is important in any company. Employees who feel like their workplace is safe and supportive are more likely to be happy with their jobs, which leads to higher retention rates for companies.
In order to implement an effective ergonomics program, a company should start with an ergonomic assessment of each workstation. Having an ergonomic expert come in and evaluate each workstation will help to identify any potential problems that need to be addressed, as well as provide recommendations on how to solve them. Having an open line of communication between the company and its employees is also crucial for creating a healthy, productive workplace.
Accessibility
While some may think that ergonomics is nothing more than a bunch of management jargon, the truth is that it can make or break your employees’ work efficiency. The more comfortable your workers feel, the more they will be able to focus on their job. This means that they will be able to complete tasks in less time and with more accuracy, which results in higher productivity rates for your company.
The most common form of ergonomics is physical ergonomics, which deals with the load on a person’s body when performing tasks. This includes the way in which a person sits, stands, and moves throughout their workspace. Physical ergonomics helps decrease strain, prevents musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), eliminates awkward postures, decreases exertion, improves reaches and heights, and eliminates repetitive motions.
When physical ergonomics is ignored, it can lead to injuries like MSDs, which are characterized by pain in muscles, bones, and joints that affect a person’s daily functions. These injuries cause a loss of productivity, which can hurt both the employee and the company.
To avoid these issues, consider implementing physical ergonomics in your workplace by providing proper equipment and making adjustments to your work processes. To start, you should have accessible diagnostic equipment in your office, including height-adjustable exam tables. This allows patients with mobility problems to easily get on and off of the table without putting too much pressure on themselves or your staff members. This will also allow you to perform a more thorough evaluation of your patient’s condition.
Aside from physical ergonomics, you should also prioritize clear communication with your employees. This will ensure that all employees understand the changes you’re implementing and how they will affect their day-to-day jobs. It will also help prevent employees from seeing these changes as a threat, which can hinder productivity.
In addition to ensuring that your exam tables are easy to adjust, you should also consider adding a dressing area in your exam rooms. Having a place for patients to change and dress will reduce the amount of stress on their back, shoulders, neck, and knees while increasing their comfort levels. You can add a cloth curtain, partition on wheels, or double-door dressing cubicles to your exam room to create this space.
Safety
As any healthcare professional knows, safety is crucial. This goes for patient safety as well as employee safety. Practicing ergonomics is one of the best ways to ensure employee safety in the workplace. This process helps eliminate daily hazards that hurt employees and prevents them from completing their job duties as efficiently as possible.
Ergonomics focuses on the interactions between workers and the tools, equipment, and work environment they use. It involves designing work environments to fit the worker and providing them with the tools to complete their tasks without straining or experiencing pain. This can include reducing noise and distractions and adjusting furniture to improve the work environment for the employees.
Among many other benefits, ergonomics improves productivity by eliminating barriers to productive tasks. It reduces excessive exertion, eliminates awkward postures, decreases repetitive motions, and improves reaches and heights. When all of these factors are eliminated, the employee can move faster and more accurately through their workload.
Having an ergonomic workspace also improves communication in the workplace. Employees who feel like their health and safety are top priorities at work are more likely to feel comfortable sharing information with colleagues, even in stressful situations. This can increase morale and make the work environment more positive for everyone.
Creating an ergonomic workplace is essential for any business, regardless of industry. Those who prioritize ergonomics can save money by preventing injuries that are costly to the company and the employees. This includes the direct costs of a workplace injury and the indirect costs of lost employee time. It also shows that the company cares about its employees, which can help with recruitment and employee retention. Employees who are happy with their work environment will be more willing to invest their time and energy into the job, leading to greater productivity for the company as a whole. Ergonomics is a simple way to improve efficiency, but it has profound effects on the health of your staff and the success of your business. Contact Goldtouch to learn more about how ergonomics can benefit your organization.
