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Health & Safety Workbook

Ergonomics and Workstation

Ergonomics and Workstations

Ergonomics is concerned with the interaction between people, equipment and their
environment.

Ergonomics should be considered when a new workstation is being designed, when new
equipment is being selected and installed or when jobs or procedures are being
considered.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Poorly designed workstations and repetitive tasks may lead to muskculoskeletal disorders
causing aches, pain, swelling and poor performance. More commonly people suffer from
work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD’s) particularly if they carry out particular
movements repetitively, maintain an awkward posture and have inadequate rest periods.

Preventative measure:

• It is important to design as far as possible a workstation or activity to suit an individuals

needs, however this may not always be possible e.g. desk sharing. Design therefore
must reach a compromise and wherever possible, should include adjustable features
and flexibility.
• A risk assessment may demonstrate the need for workstations to be re-designed or re-
located in order to reduce the risks caused by stooping, over-reaching and similar
actions.

Display Screen Equipment and Workstations

Various ill effects such as eyestrain, headaches and upper limb disorders have been
associated with prolonged jobs involving the use of display screens.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require specific
assessments to be carried out. Where an employee is identified to be a ‘user’ (e.g. data
inputer, word processor) and a significant part of their day is repetitive computer use, a
detailed assessment of the workstation and activity has to be carried out. This should
generally be achieved by the employee completing a self-assessment questionnaire either
on their own or with the assistance of an occupational nurse. In order that employees can
carry out a suitable assessment, adequate information and training needs to be provided.

If you have identified employees as ‘users’ then the employee may be entitled to a free
eye test and if necessary corrective lenses if required specifically for display screen use.

Checklist
• Have you identified anyone as a ‘user’ and have you carried out a detailed assessment?
• Have any comments identified in the assessments been acted upon and records kept?
• Has it improved matters?

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SEATING AND POSTURE FOR TYPICAL OFFICE TASKS

1. Seat back adjustability

2. Good lumbar support

3. Seat height adjustability

4. No excess pressure on underside of thighs and backs of knees

5. Foot support if needed

6. Space for postural change, no obstacles under desk

7. Forearms approximately horizontal

8. Minimal extension, flexion or deviation of wrists

9. Screen height and angle should allow comfortable head position

10. Space in front of keyboard to support hands/wrists during pauses in keying

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Name:………………………............… Signed:………….......….........… Date:…….......…....

Supervisor Name:……….…………… Signed:……………......…......… Date:……...............
All necessary works completed Signed:……………………........ Date:……........…...
Date of Review:………………………..

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