Ergonomics Evaluations

The goal of an Ergonomics Evaluation is to "fit the task to the worker, not the worker to the task". A workstation evaluation is performed, looking for ergonomic risk factors that might, or may have already, caused Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD's). Recommendations for equipment, postural corrections, and procedural changes are made to help you see where your ergonomic risk factors can be reduced.

Ergonomics evaluations have been shown to reduce workplace injuries, which in turn lowers the chance of a Workers' Compensation or disability claim. Ergonomics evaluations also help employees get back to work by identifying problems in the workspace that may cause re-injury.

There are four types of Ergonomics Evaluations:

1. Ergonomics Evaluations
2. Follow Up Ergonomics Evaluations
3. Ergonomics Appraisals
4. Virtual Home Audits

These are described below in more detail.

1. Ergonomics Evaluations

Ergonomics Evaluations are one-on-one assessments for employees who may experiencing pain or discomfort and there are concerns that the workstations are not ergonomically correct. In this type of evaluation, the company’s goal is to obtain detailed and comprehensive recommendations for both Engineering Controls and Administrative Controls (see Glossary).

What the evaluation includes:

• An assessment of the workstation or workstations to determine if the equipment and set-up is ergonomically correct.
• A detailed visual appraisal of the employee(s) working at their desk to identify unsafe work practices.
• Adjustment of each employee at their desk to the recommended heights and distances along with proper chair adjustment.
• Ergonomics education concerning correct posture; proper positioning at the workstation; work organization (e.g. adequate pacing of tasks, frequent changes in type of task); and activity breaks (e.g. how often to take and what to do).
• A thorough report that identifies ergonomic risk factors, itemizes cost-effective equipment recommendations, and proposes changes to the work environment to ensure proper ergonomic practices.
• An Ergonomics Tip Sheet for each employee's future reference.

2. Follow Up Ergonomics Evaluations

Following an Ergonomics Evaluation, it is helpful to have a follow-up evaluation. During the initial evaluation, it is likely that recommendations were made for changes in heights and distances as well as equipment. Once the equipment arrives and is installed, it can sometimes be difficult to set up the workstation with the correct heights and distances again, e.g. when a keyboard tray is installed and the chair is lowered, it can be difficult to find the correct heights for the tray, chair, and monitor. With a follow-up evaluation, all heights and distances are set up properly for the employee so they can use their new equipment to the very fullest.

What the evaluation includes:

• An assessment of the workstation followed by proper set up for the employee in terms of heights and distances for all equipment.
• Reminders regarding correct posture, proper positioning at the workstation, work organization, and activity breaks are provided.
• A short report for the employer that identifies what was changed and positioned properly, along with confirmation of an ergonomically correct workstation.

3. Ergonomics Appraisals

The Ergonomics Appraisal is usually chosen when there have been little or no complaints from employees about discomfort areas, and the company’s concern is mostly with regards to ensuring the work environment is “ergonomically friendly”. In this type of evaluation, the company’s goal is to obtain recommendations for Engineering Controls only (see Glossary).
 

What the evaluation includes:

• A viewing of each workstation to determine if the equipment and set-up is ergonomically correct
• A general report for the office as a whole that identifies ergonomic risk factors, itemizes cost-effective equipment recommendations, and proposes changes to the work environment to ensure proper ergonomic practices.

* Individual employee concerns are not addressed in the Ergonomics Appraisal.

4. Virtual Home Audits

Virtual Home Audits are one-on-one assessments conducted using FaceTime or WhatsApp. These are for employees who may experiencing pain or discomfort while working at home workstations that are not ergonomically correct. In this type of evaluation, the company can choose to obtain recommendations for just Administrative Controls or both Engineering and Administrative Controls (see Glossary).

What the evaluation includes:

• An assessment of the workstation or workstations to determine if the equipment and set-up is ergonomically correct.
• A visual appraisal of the employee(s) working at their desk to identify unsafe work practices.
• Verbal and demonstrated adjustment for each employee at their desk to the recommended heights and distances along with proper chair adjustment.
• Ergonomics education concerning correct posture; proper positioning at the workstation; work organization (e.g. adequate pacing of tasks, frequent changes in type of task); and activity breaks (e.g. how often to take and what to do).
• A short report that identifies ergonomic risk factors, itemizes cost-effective equipment recommendations, and proposes changes to the work environment to ensure proper ergonomic practices.
• An Ergonomics Tip Sheet for each employee's future reference.