Ergonomics 101 – How To Make A Workspace Worthy Of Your Talent Pool?

Sep 25

Key Takeaways:

Ergonomics is key in providing an environment that encourages productivity and limits fatigue and pain from uncomfortable chairs, awkward postures, or incorrect use of tools.
An effective ergonomics improvement process can be a powerful tool for improving your employees’ performance and providing them with an improved work experience.
The benefits of workplace ergonomics include reduced fatigue and discomfort for employees, improved productivity, increased safety, lower healthcare costs, etc.
Some of the disadvantages of not having an ergonomic workplace include reduced productivity.

Do you struggle to ensure a healthy, productive workplace for your employees? Are you looking for ways to ensure their energy and enthusiasm isn’t being sapped by poor ergonomics? If so, we’ve got you covered with our deep dive into workspace ergonomics. Ergonomics are key in providing an environment that encourages productivity and limits fatigue and pain stemming from uncomfortable chairs, awkward postures, or incorrect use of tools.

This blog post by Mitsuoka and Company covers the basics of understanding how ergonomics can benefit everyone in your organization. Put simply: if you want to maximize the potential of your talent pool, it pays off big time to keep ergonomic considerations in mind!

The Science of Workplace Ergonomics

By perfecting workplace ergonomics, you can protect employees from potential musculoskeletal injuries and provide them with an enhanced level of performance that leads to improved productivity.

By enhancing the work process, you are eliminating obstacles to optimal & safe performance. You’re providing your employees with a job that perfectly matches their physical capabilities and restrictions. Plus (as this blog will illustrate), you’ll benefit your business’s bottom line!

An effective ergonomics improvement process can be a powerful tool for improving your company’s performance and providing employees with an improved work experience. So, where do you begin? Well, let’s start with the benefits first!

Workplace Ergonomics: The Benefits

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries conducted an extensive review involving 250 case studies to analyze the effects of ergonomics in different settings. What they discovered was that introducing ergonomic principles into your organization could provide a range of advantages, including:

Reduced fatigue and discomfort for employees: Ergonomic features like adjustable chairs, footrests, and wrist rests can relieve physical strain and make for a more comfortable workspace.
Improved productivity: Ergonomically designed workstations and equipment can help employees perform their tasks more efficiently.
Increased safety: As the ergonomic design of a workplace reduces fatigue and discomfort, it also decreases the risk of injuries related to repetitive motions or awkward postures.
Lower healthcare costs: By decreasing the likelihood of incidents such as musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics can result in fewer medical expenses for your organization.

What Are the Disadvantages of Not Having an Ergonomic Workplace?

Reduced productivity: If employees are not given ergonomically designed workspaces, it can lead to physical discomfort and even chronic pain, limiting their productivity.
Higher costs: Due to the increased risk of injury and reduced productivity, companies that neglect ergonomics may face higher costs related to healthcare expenses and employee absence.
Poor morale: Uncomfortable workplaces can affect employee morale as they become frustrated working in an uncomfortable environment.

Now, let’s look at the components that make up an ergonomic workplace.

Creating A Workspace That Works for You: The Essentials of Ergonomics

To create a workspace that is worthy of your talent pool, there are several essential elements you should consider:

1. Posture & Comfort

Make sure your office furniture allows employees to sit comfortably in a neutral, upright posture. The chairs should have adjustable arms and lumbar support, and the height of your monitor should be adjustable to avoid neck strain.

2. Lighting

Natural lighting is always preferable, but if that isn’t an option, consider installing task-specific lighting solutions to help reduce eye fatigue. Glare can also be reduced by using window treatments like blinds or curtains when there are bright outside lights.

3. Ergonomic Keyboard & Mouse

Investing in a comfortable ergonomic keyboard and mouse will improve comfort and minimize the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries from typing or using a computer mouse for extended periods.

4. Desk Setup

A cluttered desk is asking for trouble! Making sure your desk is properly arranged and clutter-free, with all equipment within easy reach, will help reduce the strain on your arms and wrists when reaching and stretching to access items.

5. Chair

A good quality office chair should support your lower back and provide adequate lumbar support to comfortably sit. Adjustable height and depth can help reduce the risk of developing back problems over time by ensuring proper alignment is maintained throughout the day. Also, consider investing in a footrest to improve comfort levels while working at a desk.

6. Monitor & Work Surface Height

Ensure your monitor screen is at an appropriate distance from your eyes so that the neck, shoulders, or back strain is minimized. The work surface you use should also be at a comfortable height so that your arms can rest on it when typing or writing. Consider using a laptop stand and/or adjustable chair to match your worksurface for optimal comfort and productivity.

The Gist:

Creating an ergonomic workspace is essential for any organization striving to create an optimal working environment. Allocating time and resources to ensure proper alignment and comfort levels for workers with various body types, heights, etc., will pay off in the long run.

Ensuring that monitors are at an appropriate distance, work surfaces are at a comfortable height, and having additional items like footrests or laptop stands available if needed can all help to reduce strain on the body while working. With a few simple changes, you can make your workspace better suited to cater to the talent pool in your organization and ultimately improve productivity!

Here’s How Mitsuoka and Company Can Help You

Having the right personnel is instrumental in making or breaking a business. Source and evaluate appropriate job seekers and inducting and settling them into your organization requires expertise that many internal recruiting departments do not possess. Acquiring these skill sets plays an important role in ensuring you have the best staff members on board who can contribute significantly to your company’s success. Mitsuoka & company manages a broad range of recruitment needs in San Diego. From finding companies with ergonomic workspaces suitable for their talent pool to helping implement a successful ergonomic workplace within their scope of operations. Our solutions are tailored to meet the diverse recruitment needs of any organization. Get assistance today!

Recruiting Manager