By definition, ergonomics is the study of the relationship between workers and their work environment. The aim of ergonomics is to match the job to the worker to reduce the strain placed on the tissues and to prevent injury. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common type of workplace injury in Ontario workplaces. It is crucial to control the hazards that could leads to MSDs. At the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), our Ergonomists take pride in ensuring that workers are working safely and effectively. Our goal is to identify these risks and to educate workers by means of assessments, presentations, inquiries, and various resources in partnership with Joint Health and Safety Committees. We have served a wide-range of clients from students, to health and safety workers, to retirees. We provide ergonomic tools to increase knowledge among workers, employers, and the general public. We offer the provision of services designed to produce changes, improve the workplace, and ensure the health of workers.
The main goal of office ergonomics is to establish your office space so that it fits you and the job you are doing. The benefits of having the office space set up correctly are;
- A reduction in back and neck pain
- Headaches and eyestrain are less likely to effect you
- Issues such as bursitis and tendon may be prevented. Both problems are linked to the repetition of tasks.
- Accidents in the Workplace are one of the main causes of illness and injury that affect most Canadians. Both have the potential of influencing your job performance.
Factors that cause injuries in the workplace are;
- Trips and Falls.
- Repetitive movements. The result of this is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
- Heavy lifting.
- Working with vibrating tools.
Office ergonomics can assist in creating a more comfortable work station thus reducing stress and injury. The main focus areas to set up your office work space are:
- Workstation setup, how you sit and how long you stay sitting or in a fixed position.
- How you do a certain task, the movements made, and the repetition of those movements.
- Lighting, noise and temperature.
- Tools used and whether they are set up correctly to meet your requirements.