OH&S Research Assessment
Ergonomics – Effective Workplace Practices Research confirms that workplace injuries continue to rise as a result of poor ergonomic practices undertaken by employees. Most organisations strive for high production from staff members however often appropriate Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) practices are overlooked or ignored when performing workplace tasks. As a result, employee injuries occur which inevitably lead to rising costs for the employer in terms of employee lost time, inefficient work practices and also workers compensation claims. (Ergonomics-Info, Why is Ergonomics Important, 2010) I have chosen to study ergonomics and how this affects the Digital Media Industry, as I believe that it holds the key to future health benefits of employees; which in turn effectively enhances workplace productivity. ‘Ergonomics is the study of how a workplace, the equipment used and the overall workplace environment can be designed so that employees can operate in a healthy, comfortable, and efficient manner’ (Dictionary Reference Website, 2012). Ergonomics can assist in reducing costs by improving safety. Myerson (2005 pg. 3) states that ‘designing appropriate workplaces is of a direct benefit to employers as the physical environment of a workstation can be a lever to improve corporate performance – therefore increasing sales, profits whilst ensuring employee health and safety’. Within the Digital Media Industry ergonomics relates to the physical design of the computer equipment, including keyboard use, monitor/screen placement and related hardware and also the manner in which employees interact and use this equipment (Dictionary Reference Website, 2012). With the recent explosion of computer technology in society (for work, education and recreational purposes) it is important for individuals to be better educated on appropriate ergonomic practices to ensure that short and long term injuries are avoided. Peter Edwards – 8100122912
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OH&S Research Assessment
Each year, a significant amount of workdays are lost due to work-related injuries. The cost of these days missed to employers equates to a substantial decline in total organisational revenue. These injuries are not only limited to those caused by heavy lifting; they also include seemingly less-serious injuries such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and work related stress (Kramer, 2008). In 2009-10, Safe Work Australia reported that ‘the most common causes of compensated injury and diseases in the workplace were muscular stress (due to manual handling or repetitive movement) which accounted for 52% of claims’ (Information Fact Sheet, Safe Work Australia, 2010). These employee injuries are caused by repeated and prolonged activities occurring within the office environment and can lead to the employee experiencing pain and discomfort whilst performing tasks assigned. Employees, performing deskwork, will often be seated whilst looking at a computer screen for long periods of time, which can consequently lead to RSI or other strain injuries. The common causes of RSI include an overuse of the muscles on a continued/repetitive basis, poor posture or a badly organised workspace and prolonged periods of work without a break (Causes of Repetitive Strain Injury, 2012). The individuals back, neck, hand and eye muscles can be severely affected which can lead to work-related stress and poor employee performance. The flow on effect of this can lead to significant costs to the organisation and employee in loss of productivity, low employee morale and the risk of workers compensation claims. Often employees are not adequately educated on the most ergonomically effective ways of positioning their workstations to minimise the effects of these potential safety hazards. It is not uncommon for employees to have the incorrect equipment positioning and screen settings, as they have not been advised or provided with information on how to correctly utilise this equipment to perform their tasks assigned in the most ergonomically sound manner. Some employers will also have limited funding to spend on creating the perfectly ergonomically designed workplace. Peter Edwards – 8100122912
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OH&S Research Assessment
Therefore, to rectify this issue, there are a variety of solutions employers can implement and / or provide to their employees, which can assist in preventing workplace related injuries ranging from wrist/foot rests to adjustable office chairs. Each piece of equipment should be designed for reducing injury and promoting ease of use. UCLA Ergonomics (2012) offers a myriad of recommendations that can assist employees in preventing and/or reducing RSI and other injuries. These include: •
Maintaining good posture when working; •
Keeping elbows in a slightly open angle (100 to 110 degrees) with wrists in a straight position; •
Keep feet directly placed on floor with the seat adjusted at an appropriate height; •
Centre the monitor directly in front of you, with a not too excessive brightness setting to reduce glare; •
Use a good typing technique with relaxed hands; •
Take frequent eye breaks and stretching breaks and; •
Avoid overreaching. Intel IT Safety Manager, Rob Manning, suggests that educating and providing information to employees of ergonomic practices and how this can be applied to current workplace safety standards is of paramount importance (Employee Productivity: Intel Best Practices, 2012). Manning encourages all employers to adopt similar strategies to improve ergonomically sound workplaces such as informing employees, instilling these practices throughout the entire organisation (high-level management leadership) and providing safety training. These strategies will thus minimise workplace related injuries and maximise efficiency, productivity and overall employee satisfaction. Additionally, WorkCover New South Wales (2004), states that ‘the key to preventing overuse injuries is to break repetitive work with non-repetitive tasks or exercises and/or rest breaks’. In relation to keyboard use, WorkCover NSW (2004) recommends ‘a keying break should be taken for a few minutes every half an hour to prevent muscle fatigue and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome injury’. It is also recommended that employees frequently Peter Edwards – 8100122912
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OH&S Research Assessment
move around the office environment and reduce the effects of fatigue by doing different tasks. Regular periodic breaks are extremely beneficial to the employee and assist in preventing RSI. Therefore, based on the above argument, workplace related injuries are significantly more common when poor workplace design is evident. The potential risks of workplace injury, in particular RSI and work-related stress, are considerably higher when ergonomics is absent, ignored or avoided. Hence, it is becoming increasingly more important for employers to understand the importance of ergonomics and how this relates to OH&S, employee productivity and overall organisational success. Therefore, in essence, it is highly recommended that employers educate, inform and train all members of staff of the importance of ergonomically sound workstations and practices to ensure that workplace injuries do not occur. Peter Edwards – 8100122912
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OH&S Research Assessment
Reference List: Dictionary Reference 2012, accessed 22 April 2012, <http://www.reference.com/browse/Ergonomics>. Kramer, A 2008, The Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace, viewed 22 April 2012, <http://www.askergoworks.com/news/2/The-Benefits-ofErgonomics-in-the-Workplace.aspx>. Myerson, J 2005, About: Workplace Design, Design Council, viewed 22 April 2012,
<www.design-council.org>.
How Improving workplace ergonomics through IT can help reduce healthcare costs,
Employee Productivity: Intel IT Best Practices 2012, accessed 22 April 2012,
<http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/it-management/intel-itbest-practices/improving-workplace-ergonomics-through-it.html>.
Causes of repetitive strain injuries 2012, accessed 22 April 2012, <http://www.repetitivestraininjury.org.uk/causes-of-rsi.html>. Office ergonomics, UCLA Ergonomics 2012, accessed 22 April 2012, <http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/>. ‘Health and Safety in the Office’, Work Cover 2004, accessed 22 April 2012 from <www.workcover.nsw.gov.au>. ‘Health and Community Services, Information Fact Sheet’, Safe Work Australia, viewed 22 April 2012, <www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au>. ‘Ergonomics-Info, Why is Ergonomics Important’ accessed 22 of April 2012, <http://www.ergonomics-info.com/why-is-ergonomicsimportant.html >. Peter Edwards – 8100122912
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