OFFICE ERGONOMICS: A DETAILED GUIDE ON HOW TO ENSURE GOOD HEALTH AND SAFETY AMIDST COVID-19 WORKSPACE CHANGES

Last year, the world faced one of its greatest health and safety challenges as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Businesses crippled, offices shut down, and employees worked from home as infection rates soared globally. 

However, companies and businesses have gradually begun returning to full swing. One thing is for sure, the workplace as we know it will never remain the same again. The new reality of work in the post-covid-19 era has gradually begun to dawn on employers and employees alike. This revelation has necessitated a change in business models & policies, especially with regards to workplace health and safety. Some of these changes affect how workers navigate space, conduct business, and essentially interact within the office.

As these changes gradually take shape, it is only natural that workstations, work-tools, work procedures, etc will become more dynamic. However, if these changes are not checked, they may lead to adverse ergonomic effects.  

Consequently, it is important that employers understand fundamental ergonomic principles as these changes are made. These principles must in turn be integrated with the revised company work model, and health and safety infrastructures. This in effect ensures that employee productivity remains consistent.  

This article will address some of these post-covid-19 workplace changes (such as physical distancing) in detail. It also addresses how the changes affect workplace ergonomics and how it can be mitigated.

But first, what is ergonomics?

What is Ergonomics and How Does It Affect Health and Safety at the Workplace?

Ergonomics studies how a worker interacts with his working environment while working.  Have you ever suffered pain in your fingers or your hands after spending long hours typing? Or perhaps stiffness in your neck and shoulders after spending several hours at your desk? More often than not, these pains are usually a result of poor positioning while working.

To achieve proper body positioning at work, you might need to make adjustments to the position of your work tools.

Disregarding ergonomic principles at work could cause a number of adverse effects. From employee injury to pain, reduced productivity, and even loss of potentially productive office hours. The company feels the impact as well because as productivity drops, profitability drops as well.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that corporate bodies invest quite a lot in ergonomic solutions. This in turn ramps up productivity and employee efficiency while increasing profit. These solutions could vary from one business to another depending on what services the company offers. They could range from better sitting postures to proper lighting, to surface sterilization, etc.

Poor ergonomics is a major cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).  Furthermore, injuries that stem from poor ergonomic practices are the foremost cause of job-related disabilities. They include injuries such as: tension headaches, neck or wrist pains, chronic back pains, carpal tunnel, etc.

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Advantages of Investing In Health and Safety Protocols and Ergonomics At Your Workplace

• Reduction of Disability Risks: When companies invest in office ergonomics as part of its health and safety policy, the risk of your employees suffering disabilities that stem from a lack of proper office ergonomics is considerably mitigated.

• General Increase in Employee Productivity: Structuring a workplace to promote good posture, less exertion, easier heights, and reaches, as well as repetitive motions, creates a work process that is more efficient, essentially translating into increased productivity.

• Better Quality of Work: Poor ergonomics fosters bad and easily irritable employees unwilling to go the extra mile for customers.

• Better Employee Engagement: Good office ergonomics increases employee involvement, boosts morale, lessens absenteeism, and reduces turnover. 

• Fosters A Culture of Safety: Choosing to invest in office ergonomics reveals to your employees and clients that your company is serious about health and safety. 

The Post-Covid Workplace: Office Ergonomics, Health and Safety

The introduction of new processes can potentially introduce new health and safety hazards. As companies gradually introduce new measures centered around pandemic mitigation, a consequent assessment of possible hazards needs to be done. The hierarchy of controls in hazard assessment must be judiciously followed for best results.

Here are some examples of post-covid workplace changes, their possible ergonomic effects, and how to mitigate them. 

Physical Distancing and Physical Barriers

The enactment of physical barriers and distancing policies have been helpful as an effective pandemic prevention practice. However, it could result in awkward postures and increment of repetitive tasks which reduces the need for verbal communication.

To mitigate these potential hazards:

• Your employees will benefit from a process that reduces contact and maintains physical distancing when transferring materials.

• Consider transferring objects beneath barrier as opposed to over it.

• Be mindful of ease of access when transferring products. This should be aimed at maintaining physical distance without twisting and reaching.

Cleaning and disinfecting

Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting can result in the repetition of movements. The repeated use of cleaning chemicals also poses a potential health and safety hazard.

Consider:

• Selecting the appropriate tools and equipment for cleaning and disinfecting tasks. Product weight, handle length, and handgrip design will all impact safety and ease of use.

• Having workers share cleaning and disinfecting duties or alternating cleaning and disinfecting with other tasks to avoid repetitive movements.

Drive-ins and contactless delivery

Contactless delivery, drive-through, and curbside pick-up increase the chance of materials being handled by workers. This could result in awkward postures and forceful exertions. Consider:

• Providing mechanical aids to assist in lifting and carrying, for example, carts or dollies.

• Encouraging the option for patrons to pre-pay online to limit the in-person interaction for collecting payment. This can also apply to the online completion of any forms, registrations, etc., to limit the transfer of paper documents.

• Use an extension tool to transfer payment machines and products to the customer without having to bend or reach out. Consider the weight and design of the extension tool for safe grasping and use.

Personal protective equipment

Using PPE’s could be hazardous to health and safety in the workplace if not gone about in the right manner. When using personal protective equipment (PPE) consider the following:

• Respirators and other PPE, such as safety glasses and hearing protection, should be compatible so they don’t interfere with the function of other equipment.

• Use the appropriate PPE for the job, ensuring proper fit and addressing any potential hazards from using the PPE.

• Where possible, reduce general noise around communication areas. Alternatively, use a voice amplifier, e.g a microphone.

• Wearing PPE can make a person feel a lot warmer. Consider frequent water breaks, providing fans, cooling the work area, etc.

Physical and mental health

It’s important to be aware of both mental and physical challenges workers may face during a pandemic. Workers who have been off and then return to work sites may benefit from additional steps to:

• Settle and adjust to the changes in the workplace. Remind workers of available mental health supports and services and encourage them to use these services.

• Limit the potential for injuries, such as stretching, getting adequate sleep, and being active, to recondition themselves.

Skills training

The many changes made to the workplace and work processes as well as extended absences from the work site due to the pandemic may require the employer to provide updated training to workers. Training may include:

• Ensuring worker reorientation for those returning to work after an extended time away on the existing safe work procedures.

• Training workers in changes in operational procedures, equipment, and any new policies.

• Further training in the event of other potentially hazardous situations.

Conclusion

At Medbury, we offer comprehensive ergonomic solutions for the workplace and factories. Click here or call +234 902 733 1921 for more information.