Why ergonomic investments for your living space are a great idea

Creating safe and comfortable work spaces can increase your productivity.

According to Ergonomics of computer security practices– the Ergonomics of the office exercises The design of workplaces and workplaces that are adapted to the body of the individual offers an excellent way of avoiding medical expenses and unwanted absenteeism.

Liberty Mutual’s annual Workplace Safety Index found that workplace injuries cost a total of $ 49.6 billion in indirect costs to US employers.

Direct costs are wage replacement and medical payments.

In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 5% of workers had an occupational injury or illness and had no work for an average of eight days.

Wage replacement and medical pay are just iceberg tips for the actual loss from office related injuries.

Liberty Mutual estimates that companies pay $ 3 to $ 5 in indirect costs, such as lost productivity, hiring and training workers, for every dollar in direct costs. It is estimated that employers lost between $ 200 billion and $ 300 billion in injuries in 2002. To be honest, many of the work-related injuries are easy to avoid.

And the preventive measure could be quite “profitable,” since eliminating injuries before they occur can give the company a real competitive advantage.

It is generally underestimated how much money a company can save by investing in ergonomics, even for those who are not at high risk of injury, namely office workers. Better ergonomics in the workplace actually improve work quality and productivity.

As described by the therapist blogger and Kara Mathys, height-adjustable drawing stool prevents a variety of postural disorders as long as the sitting is wide enough.

Embarrassing Postures, excessive uneven weight loads on the body and prolonged static sitting are the causes of Back pain and Muscle fatigue Lower back pain this has enormous negative effects on the quality of work and efficiency.

How to identify problems before you fix them without increasing the company’s overhead? Here are a few suggestions:

Get the words out

Employees often know best how to make their work easier and more comfortable, but they don’t like to ask about them unless they are encouraged. Send the message that the company’s top priority is to resolve complaints and reduce workplace injuries. Create one Ergonomics health security Workshop that brings together members from different departments. Encourage all members to share ideas that can improve the company’s business processes.

Identify problems with placement in the workplace or with the arrangement of office furniture.

Most sprain or strain injuries like Pain in the upper neck, shoulder pain, pain in the lower left back or CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) results from insignificant stress over a certain period of time. Monitor the work processes of the employees. Pay attention to unnecessary movements such as gripping, lifting, bending and twisting. By reducing these daily burdens, the company reduces complaints and injuries, and the best thing is that over time, the company reduces expenses such as wage replacement and medical pay and generates high productivity.

configuration Guidelines for an ergonomic computer desk and other Ergonomic rules in the workplace. An easy way to reduce physical stress is to take regular breaks (a few minutes an hour) to rest your eyes, hands, and back. Simple things like “your arms should be by your side and your wrists should appear comfortably on the keyboard” can make a big difference.

Education and training for RSI awareness

Like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and bursitis are repetitive strain injuries that result from simple static, repetitive office work. You don’t want to underestimate the cost of RSI. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common injury reported to insurance companies in the United States today. Your employee who has CTS will miss 32 working days, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To drastically reduce the RSI in your office, you can follow a few simple guidelines:

• Make sure that the keyboard is positioned slightly lower than the employee level. Keep the mouse on the same level as the keyboard and close to your arms.
• Position the top of the computer monitor at eye level so that your eyes are relaxed when you read the screen about 5 to 10 degrees below eye level
• make sure Office work chairs adequate lumbar support. Try it Use of back support cushions in ergonomic chairs or others Comfort products motor massage cushion if the traditional office chairs are still used. Or invest in an office chair with a thermal massage For chiropractors, we recommend a thermal massage to promote whole-body circulation even when sitting inactive.
• Invest a height-adjustable office chair for each worker to condition the chair for better use
• Provide Office chairs footrests This allows workers’ feet to rest comfortably on the floor, as the same chair is probably not suitable for every employee.
• Provide more than adequate lighting and regularly check the glare problems of the monitor
• Buy phone headsets for every employee

It is true that some changes require investment in new, user-friendly devices, such as: ergonomic office chairs, Armrests and computer components, ergonomic mouse, ergonomic computer wrist support, ergonomic keyboards, etc. Make sure you research online or shop more than a few office supply stores before you buy. The most important thing is that you also invest in training and ergonomic awareness-raising measures. Easy employee training Ergonomics health security can dramatically reduce the risk of work-related injuries identified in the 2004 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.

As a rule, industrial companies can track their productivity more easily than office-based c

For example, a manufacturing company could budget $ 20,000 ergonomic chairs and office equipment Program aimed at saving $ 40,000 by lowering injury costs and increasing productivity.

In order to reach the future maximum value, the company can track the company’s return ergonomic Investment over time.

Think ergonomics as an investment because it offers a valuable way to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve the overall value of the company.