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To identify and mitigate hazards and injuries associated with repetitive motions and poor posture due to the use of common office equipment. Proper ergonomic practices are essential to preventing long-term musculoskeletal issues, promoting productivity, reducing workplace fatigue, and enhancing overall well-being. |
| Definition |
Ergonomics is the science of designing workplaces, tools, and tasks to optimize safety, comfort, and efficiency. This practice ensures workstation setup is tailored to the individual needs of workers, improving posture, reducing strain, and minimizing risks of repetitive stress injuries. At Qualico, ergonomics principles apply to common office equipment such as chairs, keyboards, mice, monitors, telephones, and lighting. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
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Physical:
- Poor Posture
- Improper Desk Setup
- Prolonged Sitting
- Repetitive Movements
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/Tendinitis
- Inadequate Lighting
- Eye Strain
Psychosocial:
- Fatigue (reduced physical capacity)
- Increased likelihood of mistakes
- Poor judgement
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| Control |
Engineering:
- Workstation Adjustments
- Ergonomic Tools
- Work Practices
- Proper Lighting
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| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Ensure Workers understand office ergonomics and are aware of the dangers associated with bad ergonomics.
- Demonstrate proper ergonomics by example.
- Allow Workers the ability to adjust their workstation to fit their own ergonomic needs (e.g., desk, chair, etc.).
- Organize periodic ergonomic assessments for workers.
- Provide access to ergonomic tools like monitor arms, footrests, anti-fatigue mats, or adjustable furniture.
- Regularly inspect workstations to ensure proper setups (e.g., cable management, clutter-free spaces).
- Be sure that the Ergonomic & Safe Lifting module is completed during orientation.
Do not
- Allow Workers to continue working with improperly set up equipment or with poor ergonomics.
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| Worker Responsibility |
Do
- Get up, stretch, and move. Consider setting an alarm as a reminder. Sitting for long periods can have negative health impacts to the spine and circulation.
- Maintain a neutral posture to minimize strain to the body.
- Desk clutter is minimized to allow freedom of motion.
- Use an office chair with proper lumbar support that adjusts to your body and a neutral knee angle of roughly 90°.
- Use a laptop raiser that positions your laptop for optimum ergonomics while relieving eye and neck strain.
- Use a monitor arm that makes it easy to adjust the height and position of your monitor to reduce upper back and neck pain. Monitor height should be at eye level.
- Use a footrest to reduce lower back pressure and increase blood flow.
- Use bright, adjustable light to reduce headaches, eye fatigue and neck strain.
- Try a standing desk; less time spent sitting decreases spinal stress and improves circulation and mental alertness.
- Report it immediately to your Supervisor/Superintendent.
- Consider using the 20-20-20 rule:
- Every 20 minutes,
- Look at something 20 feet away,
- For at least 20 seconds.
- Change tasks every 30–60 minutes to prevent muscle fatigue.
- Take regular “Ergo Breaks” to shift positions, move, and stretch.
Do not
- Use a desk or chair that is improperly fitted to your body.
- Cradle your phone between your shoulder and ear.
- Keep your monitor too close or too far away. This can cause eyestrain and headaches in addition to neck and back pain.
- Underestimate ergonomic discomfort.
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