CIS onsite Services
For more information visit www.cisonsite.com or contact us at 866-298-1312.
Why Is Ergonomics Important in the Workplace?
- Injury Prevention
An average person will spend one-third of their life at work, so developing an acute and/or chronic occupational injury is not uncommon.
The most common injuries are:
- Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs
- Repetitive motion injuries or RMIs
- Repetitive stress injuries or RSIs
- Neck, shoulder, and back muscle pain
- Eye pain
With proper workplace ergonomics, you can prevent all these health concerns and more.
- Improved Productivity and Work Quality
We are all aware that fatigued workers and those who experience mental, emotional, and physical stress tend to be irritable and have poor focus.
These issues can lead to lower productivity levels and decreased work output quality.
With the proper workplace ergonomic practices, employees can improve fatigue and stress and allow for a productive workday.
- Better Employee Engagement and Retention
Studies have found that 60% of individuals would take a low-paying job with better benefits over one with a higher salary offer but limited benefits.
As such, employees who work in a company committed to safety and health are more engaged or involved and motivated in their daily job tasks. They won’t just work for the sake of working or earning but will contribute to the company’s growth.
- Cost Reduction
Poor ergonomics leading to injuries, sickness, and absenteeism come with direct and indirect costs.
Direct costs include claims due to prescription medicines, medical treatments, physician consultations, hospitalizations, and insurance premiums.
For indirect costs, some of the most common examples are:
- Modified duty accommodation
- Unsafe workplace or office environment investigations
- Legal duties when an injury is proven to be caused by an unsafe workplace
- Overtime pay of staff covering for the absent employee
- Job advertisement to replace an employee who doesn’t return to work
- New employee/s orientation and training
How Can You Promote Ergonomics in the Workplace?
- Conduct Thorough Ergonomics Assessments
A detailed assessment of the workspace and the specific risks each employee gets exposed to is the first step toward ensuring ergonomics in the workplace.
It is best to seek your employees’ opinions and suggestions regarding improved ergonomic practices and solutions.
After all, they’re the ones who will first notice and experience first-hand current workplace ergonomic hazards.
This initial ergonomic assessment becomes the foundation for creating the most effective improvements in the workspace.
- Purchase Safe Equipment
Consider the nature of your employee’s work and the comprehensive assessment results. Purchase the right equipment for each department. Many times there are many cost-effective solutions to ergonomic equipment.
- Improve Workspace Lighting
Not everyone knows that lighting is part of ergonomics. A well-lit workspace prevents headaches, eye fatigue, and accidents leading to injuries.
If your space doesn’t allow enough natural lighting to enter, consider installing more artificial lights.
- Provide a Spacious Working Area
This doesn’t mean you have to renovate your current space or look for a larger one.
It simply means maximizing your available space without you and your staff feeling suffocated. Make sure everyone can move around without bumping into each other, tables, chairs, cubicles, and other items.
- Be Open to Rest and Relaxation Activities
Simple things like allowing them to have short breaks, maybe to walk around to stretch their legs after sitting for hours or the ability to perform ergonomic stretches throughout the work day. Doing so will also help reduce repetitive movements that can lead to stress-related or overuse injuries.
- Involve Your Employees
Besides involving your employees during the assessment phase, ensure you educate and train them about ergonomics.
Posters and other internal communication materials are also advisable to remind them of ergonomics.
This way, not only will they have a complete understanding of the program, but they will also implement it subconsciously and consciously.
It will also be easier for employees to spot any risks so they can report them immediately to the person in charge.
A Healthier Workplace Through Ergonomics
Ergonomics in the workplace is undoubtedly important as it affects daily business practices. It ensures a safer and healthier working environment for everyone that will reflect on the products and services you offer.
Be on the lookout for physical, mental, and emotional health problems to stimulate maximum productivity, reduce costs, and prevent daily hazards within your workforce. CIS onsite can help with providing an onsite Early Intervention Specialist to assist with the above items.
For more information visit www.cisonsite.com or contact us at 866-298-1312.
Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter
Winter storms and cold temperatures can be dangerous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and vehicles. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on older adults.
Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us may not be ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you are more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Prepare Your Home
Staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.
- Winterize your home.
- Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
- Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
- Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
- Check your heating systems.
- Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
- Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
- Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
- If you do not have a working smoke detector, install one. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning emergencies.
- Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check or change the battery when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
- Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Get your vehicle ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Get your vehicle ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.
- Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level.
- Check your tires’ tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
- Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
- Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should include:
- Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries;
- Items to stay warm, such as extra hats, coats, mittens, blankets, or sleeping bags;
- Food and water;
- Booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);
- Compass and maps;
- Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
- First-aid kit; and
- Plastic bags (for sanitation).
Prepare for Emergencies
Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.
- Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
- Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
- When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
- Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
- Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
- Extra batteries;
- First-aid kit and extra medicine;
- Baby items; and
- Cat litter or sand for icy walkways.
- Protect your family from carbon monoxide (CO).
- Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.
- Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
- Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911.
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; windproof coat, mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Take Precautions Outdoors
Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:
- Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
- Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
- Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
- Work slowly when doing outside chores.
- Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.
- Carry a cell phone.
Do This When You Plan to Travel
When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
- Avoid traveling when the National Weather Service has issued advisories.
- If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.
- Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your vehicle.
- Make your vehicle visible to rescuers. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna, raise the hood (if it is not snowing), and turn on the inside overhead lights (when your engine is running).
- Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area. Stay with your vehicle unless safety is no more than 100 yards away.
- Keep your body warm. Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers. Huddle with other people if you can.
- Stay awake and stay moving. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems. As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve circulation and stay warmer.
- Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Be ready to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill.
If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink.
No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.
Be sure to visit CDC’s Winter Weather webpage for more winter weather safety tips.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/index.html