Workstation Ergonomics

Understanding and applying the fundamental principles

OPTOMISING YOUR HOME OFFICE

Good ergonomics is essential to human performance, productivity, health and general wellness.

A safe and healthy work environment is a productive work environment. Poor ergonomics can lead to lower productivity, pain, stiffness and even physical injury. The responsibility lies with each of us then to ensure we do all we can to address the inadequacies in our own home office and workstation and remove the risk factors associated with poor ergonomics, and inevitable injury.

Essentially we should all prioritise our health and wellbeing and perhaps an unprecedented time such as this Covid 19 global health pandemic, highlights the importance of our health. We need to take this upon ourselves, embrace the lifestyle changes that will lead to improved immune function, as well as the body’s ability to fight off infection, keeping us productive! Wellbeing extends beyond immune function, to the state of our musculoskeletal system and the impact and ultimate dysfunction that can arise from neglect.

In this week’s feature we are highlighting good ergonomics, what that means, and how it can help you!

Ergonomically sound office equipment, such as, chairs, desks, lap top stands and foot rests are important tools in helping you to prevent prolonged sitting related injuries. Although this equipment is necessary, it is very important to note that it will only help to a point for someone who slouches or slumps awkwardly at their desk. This scenario can be likened to a cyclist who purchases a very expensive, top of the range bicycle, but then never trains and then wonders why they did not finish the race, or worse, becomes injured!

Your number one ergonomic priority is establishing a good working posture at your workstation.

We will further detail how this can be achieved, but in a nutshell, you should be able to sit or stand in a neutral body position with a relaxed posture that requires no stressful angles or excessive reaching to complete tasks.

Standing at the workstation can also be recommended, assuming you stand correctly and your arms and wrists remain in the neutral position. Standing is a good counterpoint to sitting for long periods.