CIS onsite Injury Prevention Services!

For more information, call CIS onsite at 866-298-1312, or visit our website at www.cisonsite.com.

Ergonomics at Work: A New Year’s Resolution for a Healthier Workplace

As we step into the New Year, it’s a perfect time to reevaluate our workplace habits and make changes that can boost our health, productivity, and overall well-being. One area that deserves attention is ergonomics, which focuses on designing workspaces and tasks to fit the needs of workers, reducing discomfort and preventing injuries.

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics studies how humans are impacted by other elements in a system. When we refer to workplace ergonomics, we are considering things such as, does your chair cause pain, are you protecting yourself from unnecessary health issues, and more.

Here are some key ways to improve workplace ergonomics for a fresh, healthier start in the New Year:

1. Consider Upgrading Your Workspace Setup

Whether you work from an office or at home, a poorly arranged workspace can lead to long-term issues like back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome or eye strain. Helpful ergonomic principles include:

• Chair Support: Ensure your chair supports your lower back and allows your feet to rest flat on the floor.
• Monitor Height and Distance: Position your monitor at eye level and about an arm’s length away to avoid neck strain.
• Keyboard and Mouse Position: Keep these tools close to your body and at elbow height to reduce wrist strain.

2. Prioritize Movement Breaks

Sitting for extended periods can lead to muscle stiffness and fatigue. Set a goal to take short breaks every 30-60 minutes. Stand, stretch or take a quick walk to refresh your body and mind. Apps and timers can help remind you to move regularly.

Movement could include:

• Touching your toes
• Jumping Jacks
• Taking a short walk 
• Doing arm circles

No matter what movement you choose to do, it’s important to understand that incorporating them into your daily workplace routine will help prevent chronic pain.

3. Invest in Ergonomic Tools

The right tools can make a significant difference. Consider the following purchases to ensure better ergonomics:

• Standing Desk: Alternate between sitting and standing to reduce strain.
• Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse: Designed to minimize repetitive strain on your wrists and fingers.
• Supportive Accessories: Foot rests, wrist rests and lumbar pillows provide extra comfort.
• Blue-Light Glasses: Glasses with an additional layer on them to minimize blue light exposure that may negatively impact eyes and overall sleep.

4. Train Employees on Ergonomics

For businesses, offering training on proper ergonomics can help employees develop healthy habits. Workshops, online courses or one-on-one consultations with an ergonomics expert can provide valuable guidance.

5. Evaluate Mental Ergonomics

Physical comfort isn’t the only factor—mental ergonomics is equally important. Reduce workplace stress by promoting work-life balance, encouraging open team communication and creating an environment where employees feel supported are all ways to improve overall mental health.

Benefits of Prioritizing Workplace Ergonomics

Starting the New Year with a focus on ergonomics can lead to:

• Enhanced Productivity: Comfortable employees are more focused and efficient.
• Fewer Health Issues: Proper ergonomics helps prevent injuries and reduce sick days.
• Increased Job Satisfaction: A supportive workspace shows employees they are valued, which can boost morale and lead to less employee turnover.

Make Workplace Ergonomics A Priority

By taking steps to improve workplace ergonomics, you’re investing in your health and well-being. Whether you’re an employer looking to enhance employee satisfaction or an individual seeking to prevent discomfort, these changes can make a significant difference.

Let the New Year be a time for positive change, starting with how and where you work!

Source: https://www.southwoodshealth.com/blog/ergonomics-at-work-a-new-years-resolution-for-a-healthier-workplace/

For more information, call CIS onsite at 866-298-1312, or visit our website at www.cisonsite.com.

New Year’s Resolutions for a Safe Workplace

Workplace Safety Tips for the New Year

The opportunity of a fresh new year brings a time to reflect upon how we can implement some significant improvements to our lives. Most people try to commit to leading a healthier lifestyle, saving money, traveling more, spending time with family, learning new skills, etc.

As individuals contemplate their personal resolutions for the year ahead, businesses should also use the end of the year to reflect on the past, learn from their mistakes and commit to providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. Resolving to protect both valuable employees and assets allows your organization a tangible way to be its “best self.”

What are Safety Tips to Practice in the Workplace?

Taking workplace safety seriously should be top of mind for all employers as we approach the new year. Keeping employees safe should be the biggest concern for any business owner. In addition to providing a safe workplace where employees can thrive, companies with workplace safety programs in place enjoy lower workers’ compensation claim costs and medical expenses, less potential for lost productivity, OSHA fines and more.

Here are a few New Year’s resolutions that can help improve workplace safety:

• Keep a cleaner, more organized workspace. What can’t be kept clean can’t be kept safe. Hazards can be found in any type of commercial establishment, from offices and machine shops to retail stores and restaurants. Injuries from slips and falls on wet floors or tripping over clutter can easily occur when conditions are not kept clean and organized. Clutter can also increase the risk of fires, especially stockpiles of paper or boxes located near sources of ignition.
• Establish a solid return-to-work program. If safeguards fail and an injury does occur, make it your company’s mission to return that employee to meaningful, productive working activity within the doctor’s restrictions as soon as possible. These programs benefit both the employer and the injured worker in a variety of ways. For the employee, it helps ease financial stress, keeps skills sharp and can reduce recovery time. The employer enjoys reduced workers’ compensation costs and employee turnover and helps maintain productivity by allowing injured workers to remain valuable contributors.
• Pay strict attention to driving safety. Every business has a level of driving exposure. In some companies, transportation and driving are central to the operation of their business. In others, it is only an incidental aspect, such as running errands from time to time. No matter how often employees get behind the wheel for company purposes, in almost all cases, it’s by far your most dangerous activity – and the greatest source of fatalities in American workplaces. Driving safety is critical to the welfare of employees, their families and your business.
• Eliminate taking shortcuts in processes or procedures. Not only is safety enhanced, but so is the quality of your product or service. Make sure all employees understand workplace safety procedures such as proper lifting techniques, how to use new equipment, wearing protective clothing and reporting any unsafe working conditions. Additionally, keep accurate and detailed records of any incidents, including near-miss accidents, so you can continue to learn and improve those processes and procedures.
• Encourage breaks. When employees get fatigued, they easily become a liability. Tired staff members, especially those who work long shifts, make more mistakes as they cannot fully focus on their tasks, leading to accidents where they harm themselves or their coworkers. Breaks should be scheduled regularly, allowing employees ample time to rest before returning to their duties.
• Be a role model. As a business owner and leader, resolve to be the strongest role model for safety you can be. You set the tone, and if your behavior reflects the importance of doing things right, your organization will follow you. Unfortunately, the opposite will also be true. Make preventing accidents and injuries one of your top priorities in the coming year.

Workplace safety programs should not be considered a short-term expense but a long-term investment into the health of your employees and your business. Companies with robust safety programs can reduce expenses related to worker injuries and illness by 40%. As you prepare to welcome the new year, spend some time thinking about the resolutions your operation can make to help ensure a happy, healthy and injury-free year.

Source: https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/risk-control/workplace-safety-tips-new-year

For more information, call CIS onsite at 866-298-1312, or visit our website at www.cisonsite.com.