TIPS FOR AFFORDABLE ERGONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS
Carrie Salin
“Ergonomic improvement” sounds expensive. But you can make many free
or inexpensive ergonomic improvements around your workplace, according
to certified professional ergonomist Davis Mellin, president of his own industrial
ergonomics consulting firm in San Juan Capistrano.
“Many employers aren’t aware that ergonomic improvements in the work-
place don’t just benefit the employees,” says Mellin. Employers will
benefit, too.
“Almost every ergonomic improvement increases worker productivity,”
says Mellin. “Making ergonomic adjustments for worker comfort and
safety around the workplace is good for employee morale,” he adds.
A recent U.S. News/CNN poll finds that almost one-fourth of Americans
say their work environment has caused them physical problems. Back
problems heads the list of complaints, with wrist ailments in second
place.
Mellin says employers are just beginning to wake up to the fact that
it’s to their own advantage to take employees seriously and heed
their complaints.
“The number one reason OSHA comes knocking at an employer’s door is
because an employee had a complaint that the employer ignored,” says
Mellin. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is
required by law to investigate every complaint they receive. If you
don’t want OSHA snooping around your workplace, stop and listen when
an employee complains about safety problems or work-related aches and
pains.
How do you begin to make ergonomic improvements?
Mellin advises: Identify areas that are causing the most frequent or
severe injuries. Look at old OSHA records or medical records. Ask the
human resources department or the company nurse or doctor who sees your
injured employees.
“Do an employee survey. Ask workers about any pain or discomfort they
experience on the job. Provide a diagram of the body and ask workers
to shade in or circle areas of their discomfort,” suggests Mellin.
When employees complain of aches and pains, don’t assume that the
causes are only from off-hours activities, cautions Mellin. Look at
the job, with an eye to:
* Reduce the number of repetitions — rotate, automate, take breaks.
* Reduce the force required — use power tools, work with gravity.
* Eliminate awkward postures — minimize bending, stooping, kneeling,
reaching.
* Design or adjust for prolonged sitting or standing — rotate assignments, provide good chairs, supports, or mats, take breaks.
* Adjust work surface heights to the best position.
Some changes may require more expensive reengineering, retooling, or
redesigning of jobs. But there are also many easy, quick, and inexpensive changes you can make. Mellin suggests these “five-minute improvements”:
* Move parts, supplies, tools, within easy reach.
* Adjust chair heights so employees are working at the correct height.
* Teach employees to change their chair adjustments and postures
throughout the day.
* Provide footrests for employees whose feet dangle unsupported. A
sturdy carton or a stool made of scrap lumber will do.
* Remove unnecessary obstacles and clutter.
* Improve housekeeping. Clean floors and pick up trash.
* Store heavy items or those used frequently at a convenient height —
not on the floor or above the heads of employees needing to get to
them.
* Provide a temporary foot rail for standing employees to enable them
to elevate one foot, reducing pressure on the spine.
* Close blinds and place computers perpendicular to light sources to
minimize glare.
* Dust off computer screens to improve visibility.
* Put computers directly in front of workers to avoid awkward postures.
Mellin suggests further improvements which may require purchasing in-
expensive items:
* Anti-fatigue mats and shoe inserts for standing and walking employees
* Padding for workbench edges where employees must lean with forearms
and elbows
* Armrests
* Wrist rests and mouse trays for computer keyboards
* Adjustable document holders for computer users
* Permanent foot rails for standing employees
Longer-term or more costly fixes might include:
* More automation to reduce force and repetition
* Adjustable-height workbenches
* Ergonomically-designed adjustable chairs
* Reconfigured work areas and storage facilities that reduce twisting,
bending, and reaching
Take time to evaluate planned new equipment and machinery purchases for
good ergonomic design. If necessary, make changes to your existing
equipment to minimize the risk of injuries.
Carrie Salin is an independent work safety consultant based in Newport Beach.