Ergonomic work place assessment

What do we understand by the 'ergonomics'?

The derives from Greek meaning 'ergo'=work and 'nomos' = law

Work place ergonomics is essentially an approach to working systems where the primary focus of need is on the human being working with those systems and the working environment built around those needs.

Enhanced awareness of ergonomics issues will encourage evaluation of:

work station design - to include evaluation of requirements of the task, anthropometric data, working heights relative to that data and whether the work needs to be carried out sitting or standing, postural needs in the execution of the work, visual acuity for the task, relationship between the worker and their tools, reaching distances,static or dynamic nature of the work etc.

equipment design - may need to take into account aspects such as the types of tools used, the controls, access to the tools, use of protective equipment etc

work organisation - the methodology of the work organisation will include evaluation of work flow, job rotation, frequency and duration of rest breaks and other prophylactic health care issues etc.

environmental issues - may include lighting, noise levels, temperature management, vibration, space allocated to the task etc.

people issues - includes consideration of the people within the system and may focus on such things as gender, size, postural needs, competencies, training, background, medical historyetc.

By assessing, identifying and implementing change management in the work place not only does it take account of health, safety and welfare concerns but encourage both employee and employer to recognise the benefits of a preventative approach to a healthy lifestyle both in and outside of the work place.