Everyone should understand and know the importance of good ergonomics and how it can benefit employee\’s as well as employer\’s health and productivity. Ergonomics is the study of fitting people with their work environment and human being\’s interaction with the equipment, surrounding environment, job task and activities. A work ergonomics physiotherapist can advice on the company\’s ergonomics, hazards and risks, suggestions for improvements and help to develop a safe, effective and productive work system.

Many things are taken into consideration during the physiotherapist\’s ergonomics assessment such as job nature, tasks and demands on the worker. The equipment being used, its size, shape and appropriateness for the task at hand are also assessed. The physical environments such as temperature, lighting, noise, vibration are also taken into consideration.

Most importantly, the physical aspect of a person: body shapes and size, fitness and strength, posture at work, health condition, previous history of neck or back pain or injuries, any stresses onto joints, muscles and nerves. At times, psychological aspect of a person such as stress level, knowledge, and experience also placed a role in ergonomics.

Studies has shown that up to 80 percent of office workers suffers from neck and back pain. When good work ergonomics are implemented, it was found to reduce neck and back pain as well as work related injures such as repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder stiffness and wrist strain.

Good work ergonomics also reduces potential accidents and injuries, improves productivity, job satisfaction and work performances. This significantly benefit employers by keeping medical bills down and employee\’s absense from work due to medical leave and at the same time increasing work production and good working attitude.

The most common ergonomics risk in office workers are sitting postures and their working habits. Physiotherapists advice workers to adopt good postures at work such as sitting up straight and align the ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line.

Staying in a single fixed position, even a good sitting posture will strain neck or back if prolonged more than 30 minutes. Leaning forward with a straight back can alternate with sitting back, using the back support of the office chair to ease the stress of back muscles. Office workers must be aware and avoid unbalanced postures such as crossing their legs unevenly when sitting, leaning to one side more often than the other, hunching the shoulders forward or tilting the head when using their computers or when writing on their desks.

The solution to good ergonomics is actually very simple. Whether you are sitting down on a chair or standing in a queue, do change positions frequently. Also, you should take short breaks every 20-30 minutes from static positions. Stand or sit, stretch or take a short walk more often. After returning to the standing or sitting posture, use an alternate postures now and then can significantly reduce backaches and neck pain.

To prevent ergonomics strains and injuries, office workers must keep themselves fit and healthy. Strengthening back muscles and core stability is essential for if you spent long hours sitting down. If neck or back pain is felt, one must seek physiotherapy help immediately.

Office worker may have good ergonomics desks and chairs, but if they are not adopting a good working posture, good working habits and healthy lifestyle, it defeats the purpose of such expensive ergonomics workstation. Understanding the importance of good ergonomics solutions are simple and cost effective. Having a good ergonomics at workplace will be a win-win situation for the employer and employee alike.

Author Bio: Chris Chew is a fitness and health consultant. Read his free articles at Treatments for back pain and Singapore physiotherapy for pain relief.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: good ergonomics, increase productivity, physiotherapy, pain