Page 62 - OHS, September 2022

FACILITY SAFETY
Prioritizing Ergonomics Promotes Efficient Workplaces
and Empowered Employees
As we continue to move through uncharted waters, it is important for businesses to keep employee safety top of mind.
BY DR. KEVAN ORVITZ
When it comes to workplace safety and employee wellbeing, few things are as important as ergonomics. By ensuring that your facility is designed, operated and assessed in a manner that takes into account the physical needs of your employees, you can help to prevent injuries while promoting a healthy work environment that inspires workers and promotes wellbeing. Ergonomics exceeds the physical aspects of the workplace, it’s also about the way work is performed. By taking a closer look at the physical and mental aspects of a worker’s job and worksite, you can create an environment that’s not only safe, but also productive, comfortable, empowering and efficient.
Today, more than ever, employees are looking for greater connection, in both their personal and professional lives. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it became
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abundantly clear that employees appreciate the value their employers place on their safety. In the workplace, safety protocols fluctuated throughout the pandemic, but one sentiment has remained constant: Businesses can only accomplish their goals when they prioritize employee wellbeing and safety.
While some organizations have always been focused on employee wellbeing, the pandemic has forced others to re-evaluate their priorities. As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, it’s important for businesses to keep employee safety top of mind. Here are a few ways you can do that:
■ Review your workplace ergonomics and make sure they’re up to date.
■ Evaluate your facility’s layout and design.
■ Take a closer look at the way work is performed in your organization.
take into account the physical and mental needs of your employees.
■ Provide employees with the ergonomic PPE they deserve.
Focusing on the Workplace
There are a few key things to keep in mind when designing an ergonomic workplace. First, it’s important to consider the different types of work that will be performed in the space. For example, if you have a warehouse that needs to be able to accommodate forklifts, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough room for the equipment and workers to move around safely. It is also important to evaluate the height of shelving and other objects in the space, as this can impact the way employees reach and interact with them.
An accurate assessment of ergonomics in the workplace can only be accomplished when both the workspace and the employee’s daily experience within that space is evaluated. When initially assessing effectiveness of ergonomics within a workspace, it’s important to analyze the worker’s posture. The posture an employee adopts while working can start a positive or negative physical chain reaction within their body. Poor or awkward postures can lead to painful injuries and lifelong medical concerns such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Employers should provide staff with PPE that will assist them maintain good posture when they are at work to avoid these problems. This might include ergonomic seats or adjustable workstations.
Maintaining a healthy posture entails more than simply standing up straight; it also includes avoiding awkward postures. Any position that puts strain on the musculoskeletal system is considered an awkward posture. When the body is in an awkward position, it is more likely to be harmed. Employers should provide workers with protective equipment that
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■ Implement safety protocols that 58 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2022