Common & Costly Ergonomic Mistakes Made By Employers
Being Reactive Instead Of Proactive.
Despite all that we know about the risks of prolonged sedentary computer work, it is often not until a worker is injured or complains about discomfort that an employer will begin to think about organizing an ergonomic assessment. It’s an all-too-common scenario and one that continues to frustrate those of us in the healthcare industry who know that ‘prevention is better than a cure.’
Our experience tells us that, by the time an individual reports physical issues that may be related to their workstation, they have often been working with discomfort or pain for long enough that it is affecting their productivity, mental health and quality of life outside of work.
We’ve also learned that, more often than not, individuals are unlikely to report issues related to their workstation at all. They often don’t know the processes for reporting, are worried about job security or may have had a negative experience with a previous employer and don’t think their issues will be taken seriously. Many people are simply reluctant to complain and risk being labelled as ‘the squeaky wheel’.
Business leaders should take note. A culture of under-reporting of ergonomic issues by workers and delayed, reactive intervention by employers still exists in most Australian workplaces. If organisations want to do more for the wellbeing of their employees and set themselves apart as employers of choice, a proactive commitment to healthy workspace ergonomics is a great place to start.
Focusing Solely On Cost Instead Of The Needs Of Employees
One of the most common issues reported by our clients when they’ve decided to invest in ergonomic equipment, is that they’re overwhelmed by choice and simply don’t know where to start. In my experience, this often leads businesses to make poor choices, such as focusing primarily on minimizing costs, rather than assessing and meeting the needs of its employees. While it may save money in the short term, this approach often costs businesses and their team members more in the long run.
Cheaply constructed office seats aren’t designed to survive the rigors of daily use. Something always breaks and they quickly become unserviceable. However, instead of being replaced, these chairs usually end up in what I refer to as the ‘ergonomic graveyard’. It’s a room that I’ve encountered in almost every office I’ve ever been to. It’s that room where cheap, broken chairs and assorted ‘ergonomic’ paraphernalia from Officeworks go to die, and here they remain, that is until someone requests a new chair. I can hear the office manager now. ‘We’ve got a room full of chairs out the back. Pick any one you want.’ Job done.
Understanding the ergonomic needs of your team will allow you to make more intelligent, informed decisions when purchasing equipment for individual employees or refitting an entire office space. Avoid repeating the mistakes of your predecessors and choose the right equipment in the first place. Decent ergonomic seating will have a warranty, often up to 10 years and beyond for a quality chair. By providing durable seating that suits each individual and their tasks, your employees will be happier and more productive and your business will see reduced long term expenditure on refurbishment and lost time injury.
You’ll also be able to find another use for your office’s ‘ergonomic graveyard’.
Not Choosing Height Adjustable Desks
People are all different shapes and sizes and we know that sitting down all day could be as bad for our health as smoking. Why then, are offices still being fitted out with fixed-height desks and chairs designed to suit ‘the average person’?
Height adjustable desks have been around for decades and have never been more affordable and accessible. We know that alternating regularly between sitting, standing and moving is the healthiest way to work, yet so many people continue to work in offices that don’t offer that opportunity.
When the time comes to refurbish your office, don’t take the easy road and reset the dial to 1960’s office design. Be brave. Be innovative. Create workspaces that encourage movement with electric height adjustable desks as standard, both in the office and at home.
Not Involving Their Team In The Decision Making
To ensure that you identify and cater for the different needs of each team member, we recommend involving them in the process. By consulting with your team and encouraging them to contribute ideas and preferences about their workspace, you’re more likely to choose equipment that meets their individual needs and less likely to receive complaints later on.
Not Providing Training On How To Set Up And Use New Equipment
You’ve invested in high quality ergonomic chairs and sit-stand desks for your team but they’re complaining more than ever? It’s great to have the perfect setup, but it’s useless or even potentially harmful if nobody knows how to set it up correctly.
Modern ergonomic seating can often be complicated, with multiple levers, pumps, knobs and straps that all need to be adjusted for each individual. Many of our clients have no idea how to adjust their own chair and simply began using it, as it arrived out of the box. As a result, the new chair is often blamed for the inevitable episode of low back pain.
Engaging a professional to teach your team members how to properly adjust their new ergonomic equipment is an easy way to mitigate the risk of injury and ensure that your employees obtain the benefits of your investment.
Not Following Up To See If Their Staff Are Happy With The New Setup
Most employers understand the need to evaluate the outcome of WHS interventions but, in my experience, this is often overlooked when it comes to ergonomic interventions. If you’ve recently provided your team with new equipment for their home or office workspaces, it’s important to follow up with periodically to ensure that the new setup is working for them.
